1999 Ford Explorer Electrical System Problems

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE ELECTRIC TO GO HAYWIRE. THE OVERHEAD LAMP CLICKS ON AND OFF THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK COMPLETELY. THE DRIVER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. SOME OF MY GAUGES WILL DECIDE NOT TO WORK SOMETIMES AND THEN OTHER TIMES WE'LL BE FINE. MY RADIO CLOCK DOES NOT WORK. ALL HAPPENS THE SAME WHETHER I'M DRIVING OR NOT WHETHER I'M PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT ANYTHING IT'S CAUSING THIS

THE ELECTRICAL ON MY VEHICLE IS BAD. MY RADIO LIGHTS FLASH, NONE OF MY DOORS OPEN FROM TE INSIDE AND ONLY ROLL DOWN WINDOWS FROM DIVER SWITCTH; GAS GAYGE ONLY READS EMPRY ALTHOUGH I J UST PUT 30 DOLLARS IN THE TANK.

I WAS AT WORK ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, 5/16 AND RECEIVED A VOICEMAIL AT 3:50PM FROM THE FIRE MARSHALL STATING MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER XLT BURNED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS TOTALED. I HAD NOT DRIVEN THE EXPLORER SINCE APPROXIMATELY 7PM THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HAD TAKEN MY OTHER CAR TO WORK. THE EXPLORER WAS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, OUTSIDE THE GARAGE AND STARTED BURNING. A NEIGHBOR 2 HOUSES OVER SMELLED THE SMOKE AND SAW THE FLAMES AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF FIRE BEFORE DUE TO THE FORD CRUISE CONTROL RECALL PROBLEMS, BASED ON THE BURN PATTERN. I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND BOUGHT IT ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY KIND OF RECALL NOTICE. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT THIS KIND OF THING COULD HAPPEN AND DID HAPPEN - THE MORE I READ ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IT'S HAPPENED TO THE MORE UPSET I GET, I'VE HAD NIGHTMARES SINCE FRIDAY SINCE MY HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED IF I HAD PARKED IT 1 FOOT CLOSER TO THE GARAGE -- WHICH I USUALLY DO, I HAD PLANNED TO GIVE IT TO MY STEPSON ON SATURDAY WHO WAS COMING TO VISIT FROM NY AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS FIRST CAR -- MY FIANCE' IS STRESSED OUT AND UPSET BEYOND WORDS I CAN WRITE HERE. NO EXCUSE FORD...SHAME ON YOU!!!!!! *TR

AFTER MAKING RIGHT TURN, ABS LIGHT CAME ON. INSTRUMENT DIALS STARTED JUMPING. VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START AFTERWARDS. *TR

THE POWER LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK ALL THE DOORS. THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL UNLOCK IS THE FRONT PASSENGER. IF THE DRIVER DOOR SHUTS HARD IT WILL NOT OPEN BY THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HANDLE. HAVE TO ENTER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WONT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR WITH HANDLE, CANT UNLOCK DOOR WITH PULL KNOB EITHER,IT'S A DEATH TRAP IF U NEED TO ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ASAP!!! *TR

FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE:FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK CONSISTENTLY. WIPERS COME ON EVEN THOUGH IT IS SET TO THE OFF POSITION. SOMETIMES WIPERS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THEY ARE TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. IN ORDER FOR WIPERS TO WORK CONSISTENTLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE MANUALLY ENGAGE WITH HAND AND HAND HAS TO BE KEPT ON THE WIPER CONTROL SWITCH SWITCHING IT ON AND OFF TO MOVE THE WIPER BLADES. WIPERS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WIPERS WOULD ACT ERRATICALLY AND FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY 90% OF THE TIME. WIPERS SOMETIMES WOULD COME ON AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. WIPERS CAN COME ON ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING. FAULTY HOOD/WEAK HYDRAULIC ARMS: THE HOOD CANNOT SAFELY STAY UP BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC ARM SUPPORTS ARE TOO WEAK TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THE HOOD SUPPORT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE SO THAT THE HOOD WOULD STAY UP SAFELY. NO SAFETY BAR WAS INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE TO SAFELY HOLD UP/PROP UP THE HOOD IN CASE OF HYDRAULIC ARM/SUPPORT FAILURE. IF THE VEHICLE GETS BUMPED WHILE THE HOOD IS UP THE HOOD WOULD FALL AND CLOSE SHUT. BECAUSE THE HOOD WILL NOT STAY UP IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD. ONE PERSON TO HOLD THE HOOD WHILE OTHER IS UNDER IT. EXTREME RUST & RUST THROUGH INTERIOR RUNNING BOARDS/STEP UP: BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR RUNNING BOARDS/STEP UP HAVE EXTREME RUST AND RUSTED HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME IN MANY SPOTS.WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE OPEN ALL RUST CAN BE SEEN.SOME RUST AND RUSTED HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME IN MANY SPOTS IS VISIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR EVEN WHEN DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE CLOSED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE DURING ACTIVATION. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WASHER CONTROL DEVICE WAS ENGAGED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED WHEN MANUALLY TURNING THE CONTROL LEVER. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED WHILE IN THE OFF MODE. IN ADDITION, THE HOOD SUPPORT ARM WOULD NOT REMAIN IN AN UPWARD POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE, WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS ON. UPDATED 03/01/12

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BUT IT WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND COULD NOT FIND ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PLACING A NEW BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM DID NOT RECOGNIZE HIS KEYS. HE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE UP; THE KEYS WOULD TURN BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WAS BURNING. I PULLED OVER INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I OPENED THE HOOD AND BLACK SMOKE WAS POURING OUT. I ALSO SAW A SMALL RED FLAM SO I RAN INTO A DENTIST OFFICE THAT WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN I REOPENED THE HOOD THE ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE CAR AND FLAMES WERE ABOUT 2 FEET HIGH. I USED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER UNTIL AN OFFICER CAME AND THEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. THEY THEN RAN THERE HOSE ON THE ENGINE A TO ENSURE THE FIRE WAS OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTION FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP WORKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. AS OF OCTOBER 3, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,589. UPDATED 05/08/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/11/09.*JB

I DRIVE IN THE AFTERNOON TO THE STORE. THEN I PARK MY CAR IN THE STORE PARKING. 30 MINUTES BEFORE I ARRIVED, HEARD IN THE STORE, THAT ARE LOOKING FOR THE OWNER OF A FORD EXPLORER. WHEN I CAME, MY CAR WAS IN FIRE. THE FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVES AND FINISH THE FIRE. THE CAR LOST IN ALL THE PARTS. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ARRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES. THE FIRE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. TWO EXPLOSIONS OCCURRED BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHAL ADVISED THAT AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,999, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL REMAINED LIT SOLID ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND SMOKE POURED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SMOKE CONTINUED AFTER KEY WAS REMOVED IN "OFF" POSITION. WAS CONCERNED THAT FIRE WOULD START. DISCONNECTED BATTERY CABLE AND TOWED TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER INSPECTED AND REPLACED MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS. DEALER SAID HARNESS CONNECTOR WAS CRACKED. *TR

TL*CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. CONTACT STATED HE FOUND RECALL NUMBER 00V072000 ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE WHICH IS FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER MIRROR AND THE POWER WINDOW ALONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,700 MILES AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 36,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER OCCURRED AT PURCHASE THIS ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO A RECALL LISTED ON 1999 FORD EXPLORER 4WD VEHICLES, UNFORTUNATELY FORD DID NOT INCLUDE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/31/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BLINKED FOUR TIMES AND THEN BECAME STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,475 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,455.

ON JANUARY 31, 2006 AFTER ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 6 BLOCKS FROM MY HOME I NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SMELL I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY MY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON MY HOME THAT I HAD NOT TAKEN DOWN THEN I FELT THE SIDING AND INSULATION OF MY HOME TO MAKE SURE THAT AN OUTLET WASN'T OVERLOADED OR HOT I EVEN CAME IN AND MOVE MY FURNITURE TO CHECK THE OUTLET CLOSEST TO THE DRIVEWAY AND DIDN'T FIND ANY SOURCE OF THE SMELL. MY BOYFRIEND WENT OUT AND REMOVED THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND SAID HE THOUGHT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AT THAT TIME I JUST ASSUMED THAT POSSIBLY IT WAS A BRAKE PAD SMELL OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. THIS VEHICLE CONTAINED NO AFTER MARKET STEREO EQUIPMENT IT ONLY HAD A PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED ALARM SYSTEM. AFTER THAT INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES ROUND TRIP TWICE TO A LOCAL TOWN WITH NO VEHICLE PROBLEMS OR SMELLS. ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 1, 2007 I GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 6 BLOCKS TO WORK I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, GATHERED MY BELONGINGS EXITED THE VEHICLE, USED THE DOOR LOCKS TO SECURE THE VEHICLE CLOCKED IN AT 5:55 A.M. AND AT APPROXIMATELY 6:15 I WAS CALLED OUT OF MY WORK BY A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, IT WAS NOTICED IN A SECURITY CAMERA BY DISPATCH, A FELLOW WORKER USED 3 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ON THIS VEHICLE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ONCE THEY ARRIVED THEY HAD TO USE SEVERAL BURST OF WATER TO BRING THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL, THE HOOD LATCH FAILED TO WORK SO THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE HOOD WITH AN AXE BECAUSE THE TIRE WELL WAS STILL GLOWING FROM THE FIRE, THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT AND IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #00V072000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.