Question:

The safety recall about using the housing bolt of the fuel line for the jumper cable ground didn’t apply to 99s.  It didn’t apply to my 98.  The recall simply put a plastic flag note saying not to do that.  That was put on my 98 at the factory.  Sorry about the confusion. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > You mean all along the grounding cable shouldn’t be connected to that hose > thing!? Good safety tip > I was a bit miffed when the day before I took my ‘99 in for the cruise cable > and they didn’t mention the other recall. Shouldn’t the dealers know about > recalls in advance or do they get the same letter from Ford and react then? > I have to admit that when I got this recall I thought it was a ‘duh’ too. > Just like the > recall to put a little tag saying not to put the grounding jumper cable on > the bolt that > holds the shielded fuel line.

Response:

        Haven’t read this newsgroup for awhile so I don’t know whether this recent recall notice has been discussed yet.         "For Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1998-1999 Explorer and Mountaineer vehicles…."  to wit: "The secondary hood latch on the affected vehicles may stick in the open position due to corrosion. If the vehicle’s primary latch is not engaged during vehicle operation, the secondary latch could remain open and the vehicle hood may fly-up."         Has anyone else gotten this notice? Has anyone experienced difficulty with the hood latch system? Seems like a ‘duh’ situation to me. If you make certain the hood is latched tight when shutting it, I don’t see how it could fly up. Plus, which latch is privary vs. that which is secondary? Is the latch at the hood primary while the inside lever to "pop the hood" secondary? I would guess if corrosion is the problem, keeping the latch on the hood well lubed would prevent trouble. Any thoughts? I have a ‘98 Explorer and have not had any indications of problems with the hood latch system. I live on the Gulf Coast where corrosion from salt is an ever-present problem. I invest heavily in lubes and anti-corrosion sprays to prevent rust and sticking. Think as a person of action; act as a person of thought!

Response:

When you pull the hood release under the dash you release the primary latch, the secondary or safety latch is the one that you have to stick your hand through the grill to release. The secondary or saftey latch holds the hood from flying up while driving like when the primary latch fails or if you didn’t close the hood fully. To check you secondary latch do this pull the handle under the dash to release the primary latch. Then try to open the hood all the way without releasing the secondary latch. If you can open the hood all the way by just releasing the primary latch, this means the secondary latch is not operating properly. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->    Haven’t read this newsgroup for awhile so I don’t know whether this recent >recall notice has been discussed yet. >    "For Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle >safety exists in certain 1998-1999 Explorer and Mountaineer vehicles…."  to >wit: "The secondary hood latch on the affected vehicles may stick in the open >position due to corrosion. If the vehicle’s primary latch is not engaged during >vehicle operation, the secondary latch could remain open and the vehicle hood >may fly-up." >    Has anyone else gotten this notice? Has anyone experienced difficulty with the >hood latch system? Seems like a ‘duh’ situation to me. If you make certain the >hood is latched tight when shutting it, I don’t see how it could fly up. Plus, >which latch is privary vs. that which is secondary? Is the latch at the hood >primary while the inside lever to "pop the hood" secondary? I would guess if >corrosion is the problem, keeping the latch on the hood well lubed would >prevent trouble. Any thoughts? I have a ‘98 Explorer and have not had any >indications of problems with the hood latch system. I live on the Gulf Coast >where corrosion from salt is an ever-present problem. I invest heavily in lubes >and anti-corrosion sprays to prevent rust and sticking. >Think as a person of action; act as a person of thought!

Response:

I have to admit that when I got this recall I thought it was a ‘duh’ too.  Just like the recall to put a little tag saying not to put the grounding jumper cable on the bolt that holds the shielded fuel line. In any case, I’ll let them change the secondary latch during my next service if it makes them feel better. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >         Haven’t read this newsgroup for awhile so I don’t know whether this recent > recall notice has been discussed yet. >         "For Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle > safety exists in certain 1998-1999 Explorer and Mountaineer vehicles…."  to > wit: "The secondary hood latch on the affected vehicles may stick in the open > position due to corrosion. If the vehicle’s primary latch is not engaged during > vehicle operation, the secondary latch could remain open and the vehicle hood > may fly-up." >         Has anyone else gotten this notice? Has anyone experienced difficulty with the > hood latch system? Seems like a ‘duh’ situation to me. If you make certain the > hood is latched tight when shutting it, I don’t see how it could fly up. Plus, > which latch is privary vs. that which is secondary? Is the latch at the hood > primary while the inside lever to "pop the hood" secondary? I would guess if > corrosion is the problem, keeping the latch on the hood well lubed would > prevent trouble. Any thoughts? I have a ‘98 Explorer and have not had any > indications of problems with the hood latch system. I live on the Gulf Coast > where corrosion from salt is an ever-present problem. I invest heavily in lubes > and anti-corrosion sprays to prevent rust and sticking. > Think as a person of action; act as a person of thought!

Response:

I HAVE RECIEVED MY RECALL ON MY 98 SPORT AND IS BEING FIXED AS I WRITE.

Response:

Well you don’t have to shout about it….we aren’t deaf you know!  ;-) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I HAVE RECIEVED MY RECALL ON MY 98 SPORT AND IS BEING FIXED AS I WRITE.

Response:

You mean all along the grounding cable shouldn’t be connected to that hose thing!? Good safety tip I was a bit miffed when the day before I took my ‘99 in for the cruise cable and they didn’t mention the other recall. Shouldn’t the dealers know about recalls in advance or do they get the same letter from Ford and react then?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have to admit that when I got this recall I thought it was a ‘duh’ too. Just like the > recall to put a little tag saying not to put the grounding jumper cable on the bolt that > holds the shielded fuel line.

Response:

> You mean all along the grounding cable shouldn’t be connected to that hose > thing!? Good safety tip > I was a bit miffed when the day before I took my ‘99 in for the cruise cable > and they didn’t mention the other recall. Shouldn’t the dealers know about > recalls in advance or do they get the same letter from Ford and react then?

They plug the VIN number into their computer and get a list of recalls… They should have let you know of any others.

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