1989 FORD AEROSTAR Electrical Systemignition Problems

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. IT HAD BEEN RUNNING PERFECTLY WELL. I NOTICED A MINOR TRIPLE CLICK NOISE WHEN I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF ANYTHING OF IT. AFTER SITTING OFF FOR 30-45 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES HAVING STARTED FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH REPORTS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO LOOKING FOR IT AFTER OUR VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. FIREMEN INDICATE THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME IS VIA CELLPHONE AT 706-399-7825.*AK

THE ALTERNATOR FAILED SHORT CIRCUIT. MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF CURRENT PASSED FROM THE BATTERY THROUGH THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FAULT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL DUE TO LACK OF IGNITION AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STOP THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I MANAGED TO STOP AND OPEN THE HOOD, THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH WAS GLOWING RED INSIDE, BURST INTO FLAMES AND SET FIRE TO CABLES AND RUBBER HOSES AROUND IT. I RECEIVED BURNS TO MY HANDS TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. LUCKY FOR ME ANOTHER MOTORIST STOPPED AND HE HAD AN EXTINGUISHER. I HAVE NOW HAD TWO FIRES OF THIS TYPE, ONE ON EACH OF MY VEHICLES. YESTERDAY I WENT TO AN ALTERNATOR REMANUFACTURING COMPANY HERE IN MONTERREY, AND THE MANGER TOLD ME THAT HE HAS HAD...

WHEN YOU TURNTHE KEY ON. THE IGNITION IS STUCK ON. THE ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO GO OFF, IS TO GET UNDER THE HOOD AND DIS INGAGE THE BATTERY TERMINAL. THIS CAR IS A 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. HAVE CONTACTED OTHER OWNER AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEIRS HAVE TOO. HAVE INCOURAGED THEM TO CONTACT YOU TOO. AND THE DEALER.*AK

WHENEVER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN OFF FOR A WHILE IT COULD BE RESTARTED, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO INDICATED IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT IGNITION HAD OVERHEATED, CAUSING STALLING PROBLEM. *AK

DUE TO PLACEMENT OF IGNITION MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR, AFTER LONG PERIOD OF TRAVEL, VEHICLE SHUTS ITSELF OFF, NO MATTER HOW FAST YOUR GOING, UNTIL VEHICLE HAS COOLED DOWN. COST ME SEVERAL TOW CHARGES.*AK

AFTER DRIVING AND THEN STOPPING VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL CONSUMER CHANGED THE IGNITION MODULE. IT JUST HAPPENED AS STATED IN RECALL FROM FORD.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. CONSUMER REPLACED IGNITION MODULE,. PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR FOR A BRIEF PERIOD, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

HAD DRIVEN VEHICLE, IT STARTED TO SMOKE, PARKED VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE, FIRE DEPT ARRIVED, NOTIFIED DEALERSHIP THAT PROBLEM STILL HAD EXISTED AFTER REPAIRES, HAVE INVOICES AND OTHER DOCUMENTS. *AK

WHILE PARKED, OWNER NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND WAS TOLD DUE TO A SHORT IN IGNITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

WHILE PARKED, OWNER NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND WAS TOLD DUE TO A SHORT IN IGNITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

UPON RETURNING TO PARKED VEHICLE INTERIOR FULL OF SMOKE AND FIRE GENERATED FROM THE IGNITION. *AK

UPON RETURNING TO PARKED VEHICLE INTERIOR FULL OF SMOKE AND FIRE GENERATED FROM THE IGNITION. *AK