Overview of Program 94B55

September, 1994

TO: All Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealers

SUBJECT:
Owner Notification Program 94B55 - Fuel Pump/Sender Electrical Circuit Modification on Certain 1991-1994 Escort and Tracer Cars

OASIS - Yes
OWNER LIST - Yes
PARTS RETURN - No
PROGRAM TIMING - There are NO time limitations for this program.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

1991-1994 Escort and Tracer cars produced from Job # 1, 1991 through June 17, 1994 at the Wayne Assembly Plant and from Job # 1, 1991 through June 28, 1994 at the Hermosillo Assembly Plant that were originally sold or are currently registered in the following states:
Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin.

REASON FOR THIS PROGRAM

Salt water intrusion between the fuel pump/sender wiring harness connector and fuel pump/sender flange may cause electrolytic corrosion resulting in an electrical short circuit. The corrosion is the result of heavy use of calcium and sodium chloride salts for road dust and ice control in the above noted states. Should a short circuit occur, the instrument cluster gauges may act erratically, the driver may see or smell smoke inside the passenger compartment due to the wiring overheating and the fuel pump may stop operating.

SERVICE ACTION

owners of affected cars will be asked to return their cars to their dealer for installation of a fused jumper harness in the fuel pump/sender electrical circuit. Should a short circuit occur after the jumper is installed, the jumper harness fuse for the fuel gauge will blow preventing a stalled vehicle and overheating damage to the wiring harness while causing the fuel gauge to peg past full. If the driver should continue to operate the vehicle for a long period of time with a blown gauge fuse, eventually the jumper harness fuse for the fuel pump will open causing the fuel pump to stop functioning.

If an owner whose vehicle is not listed in OASIS believes his/her vehicle should have been included., or this condition is observed in a vehicle not covered by this action, dealers are to contact their district office for approval and submit the 1863 claim under this program to obtain reimbursement.

FUTURE REPAIR PROCEDURE

If a vehicle with the jumper harness installed should develop a short circuit at the fuel pump/sender flange, the fuel gauge fuse in the jumper harness will open causing the fuel gauge to peg past full. To repair this condition, refer to the appropriate Technical Service Bulletin for the procedures.

REFUNDS

Only for owner-paid repairs made before the date of the Owner Letter or after the date of the Owner Letter if an emergency repair was made away from the selling dealer.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment I
- Administrative Information
- Refund Codes

Attachment II
- Labor Allowances
- Parts Ordering Information

Attachment III
- Technical Information