1999 Ford Explorer Lights Problems

THERE WERE SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN. TO BE EXACT, FROM "HAZARDS BUTTON" ON TOP OF STEERING COLUMN BEHIND STEERING. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT ONLY FEW SECONDS AND STOP. MY GARAGE MECHANIC CHANGED ASSEMBLY WITH "TURN SIGNAL WIPER SWITCH" AND I THINK FIXED IT. IT IS SCARY SINCE IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE UTILIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V072000 AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSUME LIABILITY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 93,113.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED FOR TEN SECONDS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,493. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF UPDATED *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DEACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 11/09/06. *JB

WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL BLINKED 3 TIMES THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE EMERGENCY BLINKER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURN SIGNAL BECAME A STEADY LIGHT. I PLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION AND TURNED IT BACK ON, SAME THING HAPPENED. HOWEVER, IF I TURN ON THE TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS DAY AND HAS NOT REPEATED. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THIS TO REPEAT. *JB

TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, BLINKER FLASHED 3 TIMES THEN WENT STEADY, UPON GOING STEADY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. UPON TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH TO OFF POSITION SMOKE STOPS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IS MY VEHICLE GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE? WAS THERE A RECALL WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF? *JB

AFTER SITTING IN A TURN LANE FOR 2-3 MINUTES WITH TURN SIGNAL ON, WISPS OF SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. UPON REPEATING THE SCENARIO IN DRIVEWAY SAME WISPS OF SMOKE WERE OBSERVED, AND ORANGE GLOW COULD BE SEEN INSIDE STEERING COLUMN WHEN LOOKING THROUGH CRACKS AROUND HAZARD WARNING FLASHER BUTTON. IN BOTH INSTANCES, TURN SIGNALS BEING TURNED OFF STOPPED THE SMOKE BEFORE ANY DAMAGE COULD BE DONE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND TURN SIGNAL MODULE WAS REPLACED. OLD PART WAS NOT RETURNED TO ME. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE MODULE HAD SHORTED OUT.*AK

WHEN USING TURNING SIGNALS STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO SMOKE. NO FIRE REPORTED. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BRAKE LIGHTS, SEAT HANDLES, INTERIOR LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS.*MR REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. BOTH SEAT HANDLES BROKE OFF. INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAIN ON, BRAKE LIGHTS ARE REPLACED TWICE A WEEK. DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK PROPERLY.*TS

THE TURN SIGNAL SHIFT POPPED UP WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS USED. *JB

TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK. SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. POSSIBLE FIRE RISK? DT

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY ONLY BY OTHER VEHICLE LIGHTS. POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH AUTO LAMP SWITCH IN VEHICLE. AFTER VEHICLE SAT FOR A WHILE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND DASH SWITCH AND TURN ON LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK AT 65 MPH. MR

WHEN PUTTING ON TURN SIGNAL SIGNAL STARTED TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE FLASHER TURNED ON SOLID (NO LONGER FLASHING) AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT THE EMERGENCY FLASHER BUTTON. SMOKE STOPPED WHEN I RETURNED THE SWITCH TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. RIGHT TURN POSITION NOT AFFECTED. I REPLACED THE SWITCH ON MY OWN - PART COST APPROXIMATELY $60.00 AND NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THESE WERE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON (SHORT/ELECTRICAL FIRE) THAT I EXPERIENCED. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.*AK

WHEN USING LEFT TURN SIGNAL THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM SWITCH. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK

WHEN SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON SOLID (NOT FLASHING) AND SMOKE BEGINS TO RISE FROM A SMALL OPENING IN THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. RETURNING THE SWITCH TO THE NUETRAL POSITION STOPS THE SMOKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. SOME 1999 EXPLORERS ARE COVERED UNDER TSB NUMBERS 00S04 & 00B40 BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITH IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EXPLORERS MANUFACTURED AROUND THE TIME OF MY VIN OR THAT USE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE.

WHEN SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON SOLID (NOT FLASHING) AND SMOKE BEGINS TO RISE FROM A SMALL OPENING IN THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. RETURNING THE SWITCH TO THE NUETRAL POSITION STOPS THE SMOKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. SOME 1999 EXPLORERS ARE COVERED UNDER TSB NUMBERS 00S04 & 00B40 BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITH IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EXPLORERS MANUFACTURED AROUND THE TIME OF MY VIN OR THAT USE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE.

TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT OPERATE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS IN TILT POSITION . *AK

WHILE USING MY TURN SIGNALS TURNING LEFT I NOTICED THE FLASHER ON THE DASH HAD FROZEN AND THAT SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE HAZARD FLASHER BUTTON AND ALSO OUT OF THE BASE OF THE TURN SIGNAL STEM. THIS CAN BE REPEATED ALMOST EVERY TIME I USE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THE DEALSHIP WILL BE LOOKING AT IT ON 10/27/2000.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDHL)

THE SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH WILL NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, THE STEERING WHEEL MUST BE IN A SPECIFIC DEGREE OF ROTATION IN ORDER FOR THE LEVER TO LOCK INTO PLACE. NLM

WINSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES GO ON WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS USED. THIS IS DISTRACTING AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

WHEN SITTING AT STOP WITH TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WITHOUT ENGAGING SWITCH. *AK

RUNNING LIGHTS ARE BEING USED IN THE EVENING AND ARE TOO BRIGHT FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORD EXPLORER IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE. PONTIAC CARS ARE JUST AS BAD. THIS IS NOT ONLY A NUSANCE, IT IS A POTENTIAL HAZZARD BECAUSE IT BLINDS ONCOMING DRIVERS. HOW CAN LA

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITHOUT MANUAL OPRERATION OR WHEN THE SIGNAL LIGHTS ARE OPERATED. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WHEN IN ON/OFF POSITION, AND WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS. THEY DON'T ACTIVATE WHEN TURNED ON, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INADVERTENTLY WORKING.THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN TRYING TO USE TURN SIGNALS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE & NO RAIN, WINDSHIEL WIPERS CAME ON FOR NO REASON. WHEN THEY ARE IN USE, THEY WOULD FAIL TO WORK AT HIGH OR INTERMITTENT. THE TURN SIGNAL IS ERRATIC. BEEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC REPAIRED PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, PROBLEM WITH WIPERS HAVE REAPPEARED. THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *AK

THE NEW HEADLIGHT WHICH THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED, THE LOW BEA LIGHT IS TOO BRIGHT AND BLINDS OTHER DRIVERS. THIS MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. THE HIGH BEAM IS WAY TOO BRIGHT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 55MPH AND WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RUN. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON IF VEHICLE HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INOPERABLE. WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED THE WIPERS WILL ACTIVATE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS APPLIED OR VEHICLE HITS A BUMP, WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

TURN SIGNALS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SHARE THE SAME MULTI- FUNCTIONAL SWITCH. WHEN APPLYING THE RIGHT OR LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATE WITHOUT BEING TURNED ON, SEEMINGLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH HAVING TURNED, OR USING TURN SIGNALS. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON. RECENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE INTERMITTENTLY COME ON . THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

MULTI-TURN FUNCTION TURN SIGNAL/ WINDSHIELD WASHER, INTERMITTENT WIPER AND HIGH-BEAM MALFUNCTIONS. WASHERS FAILS TO ACTIVATE WHEN STALK IS "PUSHED IN" FOR WASHER REQUEST (EVENTUALLY WASHER WILL FUNCTION AFTER SEVERAL "PUSHES" WASHER PUMP NOT BROKEN), ACTIVATING TURN SIGNAL(S) ACTIVATES WINDSHIELD WIPER (ACTIVATING TURN SIGNAL SHOULD NOT TURN YOUR WIPERS ON), WIPERS TURN ON WITHOUT USER INTERVENTION (WIPERS TURN ON BY THEMSELF) *AK

BRAKE LIGHTS ARE UNRELIABLE AND COULD LEAD TO A COLLISION. IN PARTICULAR, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MAY NOT WORK DURING GENTLE BRAKING OR WHEN STOPPED WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE PEDAL. FREE PEDAL HEIGHT IS 4.75 INCHES, BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AT 4.625 INCHES, GO OFF WHEN ANY PRESSURE IS RELEASED ABOVE 4 INCHES. AS YOU CAN SEE, ANYTIME THE BRAKE PEDAL COMES UP BETWEEN 4 AND 4.625 INCHES, SUCH AS WHEN LETTING UP SLIGHTLY TO MAKE A SMOOTH STOP, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OFF. I OFTEN FIND MYSELF SITTING AT STOPS WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND NO BRAKE LIGHTS, A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. DEALER HAS REPLACED SWITCH TWICE, ALL THREE SWITCHES EXHIBIT SAME BEHAVIOR. ON LAST REPLACEMENT, DEALER SAID THEY CHECKED SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS, THEY ALL DO THE SAME.

THE LOCATION OF THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT IS TOO HIGH, AND DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME VISUAL IMPACT AS A MORE EYE LEVEL LOCATION WOULD HAVE. *AK