Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 00:05:27 -0600

Comments: I read your article on the TFI ignition module and have already filed my paperwork (last Oct 2002) to be included in the lawsuit. My 1984 Ford F150 had some similar problems to your Bronco with stalls at inadvertent times and also shutting down and stalling while on the road.

At one time when I got out of the vehicle to check, there was fire along the transmission line and between the bed and cab. I was one house away from my parents home and the neighbor put the fire out with a hose after I got out and was standing in the driveway yelling at my dad to bring a fire extinguisher. Low and behold I owned the vehicle from May 85, when I bought it with 32,000 miles until Sept 98, when my husband was driving home from work and vehicle started shutting down on I-5 near Arco Arena, about 5 miles from home. After turning vehicle off and opening hood he found engine compartment in flames, he shut hood, flagged down City police and they brought out extinguisher to put out fire, extinguisher was empty, they called fire department. At this point my very first vehicle I had bought on my own was toast.

During the life of my truck I replaced the ignition module 3 times. I replaced the engine once at 108,000 miles. Only one incident of replacement qualifies for the settlement as the 2nd and 3rd times were after 100,000 miles and then on the 2nd engine after the replacement at about 125,000 miles. I had verification of the 2nd and 3rd replacements as they were with paperwork I had kept for the mechanic I still deal with. The 1st replacement was in 1989 with a Ford service department and I paid around $400.00. How many people do you know who keep proof of vehicle repairs 13 years after?

I tried to call the dealer I dealt with for the repair for proof and he stated he was unable to provide documentation that old through their current system. As the date approaches for the final analysis of the claimants I still wonder whether I submitted enough information to be included in the final payment process. Thanks again for your time and your article which brought back both good and unsettling memories of my truck. We currently own a 1996 F150, if I had the same problems, I'd buy a Dodge.

If my letter would help someone else identify the same problem, by all means go ahead and use it. As I said I bought the 1984 Ford in May 1985 and am pretty sure I did the 1st TFI replacement between 1987-1989. The 2nd and 3rd replacements came between 1991 and 1996. By 1998 the vehicle was toast.

Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 23:45:00 EST

It seemed each time we did the replacement the problem had a shorter fuse. (The amount of time from recognizing the problem until it had to be fixed.) The 1st time was a headache that would just stop engine, this could be while driving, or while I was stopped. We let the engine cool down even 15 minutes and would then be able to start the truck and drive again. This lasted about 3 months and then it quit for good.

I had it looked at but the Ford mechanic could not find a problem as he could not recreate the problem. The 2nd time it caught slowed down and felt like a had no engine power, then we saw smoke between the bed and cab, the fire was put out, and then the truck was able to be driven, but when it quit again, about two weeks later I had the vehicle towed and the mechanic had to replace the TFI.

The 3rd time was on a new engine and also had similar effects of both 1st and 2nd. This time we replaced it within a week as we new the problem. As the truck caught on fire and was destroyed in 1998 I assume this was the problem again.

As you said before other people lost their lives, I can believe this as the truck went up in flames and was totally engulfed within 5 minutes. Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest. But this was what was left of my truck. I can see how someone could perish as there wasn't much time to do much but stand by and watch.

If you didn't know to stop and get out, it went so fast you wouldn't have time to react. Again please use this letter if it will help.