Not a diesel question, but maybe yo guys can help me out.

I was idleing the engine & had the drivers door open. This causes the lights on the running board to light up. After five minutes or so, start smelling burning plastic. Another minute or two and the smoke starts bellowing from under the running board. I turn off the engine & shut the door & can see the flame thru the clear plastic. It self extinguished in another two minutes or so.

No real damage (all damage was on the underside of teh running board), but it is scary that the truck started itself on fire. Why/how could have this happened? The truck is a 2001 w/ 172,000 miles.

 

I had the exact same problem. It wound up being a moisture contaminated bulb socket that caused high resistance and burnt it up. I installed a new light assembly and never had another problem.



Tim

 

Sorry off topic, but they seem to have a habit of bursting into flames. Seriously, well documented too. Just google it if in doubt (Pintos, short-circuiting cruise controls, 6.4l flame throwers, etc). My Grandpa's '88 F-150 nearly immolated itself when it was 1 month old, right in front of my eyes.

 

We had a truck when I worked for the city that basically self combusted sitting in the shop. I wanna say it was right around that year too. Ford should include a large fire extinguisher free with any vehicle. Or at least a lifetime membership to AAA or somethin.

 

Oh come on. Don't be sooo harsh on us Ford guys. I've owned Chevys, Dodges and now a Ford. All can have some problems. Keh

 

Hey, ya gotta admit, they are probably about the worst at spontaneous combustion. We love our Expedition, But it had a recall for the cruise control. They had to add some kind of circuit. They had a problem with them just bursting into flames while they were sitting there.

 

My Ranger started to catch fire from the cruise control problem. I ended up pulling the fuse for it. I got real lucky on that one. The next day I got the recall notice in the mail.

 

"We love our Expedition"
Don't you mean, EXPLODition ?
LOL !