1996 Mercury Villager

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/1999· STRUCTURE

  MY MERCURY VILLAGER HAS A PROBLEM IN WHICH THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR POPS OPEN IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS EVEN IF THE DOORS ARE LOCKED. *AK

• 12/30/1996· SEATSCrash

  THE VAN WAS REARENDED AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE AND THREW THE DRIVER IN THE BACK. *AK

• 12/22/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN BUYING VAN I NOTICED A LOUD CLACKING NOISE IN ENGINE ON COLD STARTS. I SAID I DIDN'T WANT CAR. THEY SAID IF THEY PUT A NEW ENGINE IN CAR (23,000MI)WOULD I BUY IT. I SAID YES. THEY PUT A REBUILT ENGINE IN VAN INSTEAD AND DIDN'T TELL ME. NOW HAS 31,0000 MILES ON IT AND IS CLACKING AGAIN PLUS SHAKES CAR VIOLENTLY FIRST 6 TO 8 SECONDS WHEN STARTING COLD. (INTERMITTENTLY) MECHANIC SAID IT HAS BAD PISTON PROBLEMS. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO CORRECT PROBLEM. SAYS IT'S OUT OF WARRENTY. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE SECOND BAD ENGINE IN THAT CAR. THEY REPLACED A BAD ENGINE WITH A BAD ENGINE. I SUGGESTED TRADING CAR IN FOR ANOTHER ONE AND THEY RELUCTANTLY OFFERED ME $4,000 TO $5,000 MAX AS TRADE IN BECAUSE THE CAR HAD A BAD ENGINE. I WAS WILLING TO PURCHASE A NEW 1999 VILLAGER($22,000+). I'M BEING SCREWED BADLY BY A COMPANY THAT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT HAS AN ENGINE PROGRAM PROBLEM. HELP ME PLEASE. DAVE MC MANUS. *AK

• 12/22/1999· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WHEN CLOSING THE SLIDING DOOR & THEN ENTERING THE DRIVER'S SIDE, LATCHES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BY THEMSELVES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER & THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE LOCKING MECHANISM. ALSO, GAVE OWNER NEW REMOTE CONTROL. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 12/17/1996· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN DRIVING STRIGHT AHEAD AND PROCEEDING AROUND A CORNER OR MAKING A RIGHT OR A LEFT TURN, THE SIGNAL LIGHT WILL NOT STAY ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACUTRER, THE MANUFACUTRER STATED THAT IS NORMAL OPERATION. *AK

• 12/13/2003· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  LOCK MECHANISM//LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE LOCKS. SOMETIMES FOUND MYSELF STUCK IN THE CAR UNTIL THE LOCKS DECIDED TO STOP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ON THEIR OWN. I BELIEVE I PAID ABOUT $500.00 FOR REPAIRS TO THIS SYSTEM JUST FOR THE WHOLE SYSTEM TO FAIL AGAIN ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER. MY LOCKS NO LONGER WORK. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE LOCKS WORKING ON THEIR OWN. AS FOR INCIDENT DATE-TOO MANY TO COUNT. *AK

• 12/07/1999· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  LEFT FRONT TIE ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT PROBABLY HAD BEEN BAD FOR SOME TIME, BUT WAS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARANTY WHEN VEHICLE ONLY HAD MILEAGE IN THE UPPER 20,000S. THIS IS VERY LOW MILAGE FOR SUCH FRONT END COMPONENTS TO GO BAD. CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY SAID VILLAGERS ARE NOT KNOWN FOR WEARING OUT OF FRONT END PARTS AT LOW MIELAGE, SO THESE MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE PARTS FROM THE FACTORY. THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME THOUGH ON THE TIE ROD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. HAD TO REPLACE AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *AK

• 12/04/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE STUD BOLTS ARE (IS) BROKEN ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD. EXHAUST FUMES ARE LEAKING AND COLD AIR MAY ENTER HEAD. REPAIR IS EXTREMELY HIGH BECAUSE OF POSITION OF BOLTS. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BUT CANNOT STOP USING IT. ALSO WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT. *NLM

• 11/30/2001· STRUCTURE

  SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT STAY LATCHED WHILE DRIVING, DOOR WOULD COME OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNINGTHIS MATTER.*AK

• 11/29/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/22/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE

  WHILE TRAVELING 75MPH VEHICLE MADE GRAVE NOISES & THEN DIED OUT. MANEUVERED TO SIDE OF ROAD. COULD NOT CHECK ENGINE OIL DUE TO DIP STICK NOT REMOVABLE. TOWED TO MECHANIC & INFORMED CONSUMER THA T UNDER HOOD FROZE UP DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION.*AK

• 11/19/1999· SUSPENSION

  AREA IN SHOCK TOWERS WHERE STRUT ROD IS SECURED TO STRUCTURE WITH A NUT APPEARS EXTREMELY CORRODED FOR A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 39000 MILES. IT IS NOT JUST SURFACE RUST, BUT FLAKING AS WELL. THERE IS MUCH MORE CORROSION IN THIS AREA THEN I HAVE SEEN ON OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED WITH OVER 100,000 MILES. I FEAR THAT IN COMING YEARS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM MAY DEVELOP. CONTACTED SERVICE DEPARTMENT WERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I DISCRIBED THE SITUATION TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. HE SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL" AND I HAD NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

• 11/15/2000· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING.DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS AIR BAG MONITOR OR WIRING ISSUE.WAS TOLD BY SERVICE PERSON"DON'T WORRY I DON'T BELIEVE IN AIR BAGS".VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD.THIS SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY.*AK

• 11/15/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I WAS GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY OVER IN THE PASSING LANE THE VAN MADE A NOISE I TURN DOWN THE RADIO TO LISTEN I LOST PRESSURE THE VAN SHUT DOWN . I HAD OIL ,WATER I JUST DONT UNDER STAND WHAT HAPPEN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED AN ENGINE NEVER HAD A WARNING SIGN AND I ALWAYS KEEP MY OIL CHANGE AND OTHER ITEM ACORRDING MANUFACUTURER. *AK

• 11/12/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  IN WARM WEATHER, MY CAR VENTS A TERRIBLE AMOUNT OF GAS FUMES INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (PARTICULARLY WHEN A/C IS ON). THIS IS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIX IT. IN MY OPINION IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY HERE AT HIGH ALTITUDES IN DENVER WHEN TREMENDOUS PRESSURE BUILDS UP IN THE GAS TANK WHICH APPEARS TO BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS SECOND VEHICLE OF THIS TYPE THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAD A 1995 NISSAN QUEST (THE SAME CAR - NISSAN VERSION) WHICH DID THIS. IT GOT SO BAD THAT THE DEALER KEPT PUTTING ME IN A RENTAL CAR UNTIL THEY COULD FIX IT (WHICH THEY NEVER DID). NISSAN ENDED UP BUYING THE CAR BACK. I THOUGHT THAT I JUST HAD A "LEMON" (AN ISOLATED INCIDENT) AND BOUGHT THE VILLAGER BECAUSE THE SLIDING SEAT SYSTEM IN THE CAR IS NECESSARY FOR ME (IT IS THE ONLY CAR THAT HAS ONE, NAMELY, REAR SEATS THAT ARE ON TRACKS/RAILS). ANYWAY, I WAS SURPRISED AND ANGRY TO FIND OUT THAT THE VILLAGER DOES THE SAME THING AND THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO FIX IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT IT, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.*AK

• 11/10/2003· AIR BAGS

  WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

• 11/10/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  GAS PEDAL STICKS . WHEN GOING IN REVERSE HAV ETO PUSH ON PEDAL HARDER THAN IT WILL SURGE. *AK

• 11/10/1997· SEAT BELTS

  THE DEFECTIVE REAR MIDDLE REAR SEATBELT UNLATCHED WHEN IN USE WHICH WON'T PROTECT OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.*AK

• 11/05/1998· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE MAKING A TURN THROUGH AN INTERSECTION THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED, THE DRIVER COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO TURN THE KEY, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, THEN THE DRIVER TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED.

• 11/04/1997· STEERING

  POWER STEERING FAILED.

• 11/02/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, THE VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY ALMOST RESULTING AN ACCIDENT. WON'T RESTART FOR ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR. BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

• 10/29/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WHILE I AM DRIVING THE SLIDING DOOR WILL POP. CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT COMPLETELY OPEN, BUT IS DOES BECOME UNSECURED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT INHIBITS MY VISION AND MAKES DRIVING UNSAFE. MY CHILDREN ARE ALSO THE PASSENGERS NEAR THE DOOR AT THIS TIME AND I AM AFRAID THAT THE DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE HARM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN SAFETY BELTS. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE LATCH AND HE SEES NOTHING THAT SHOULD BE CAUSING THIS TO MALFUNCTION. *NM

• 10/27/1997· VISIBILITY

  REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· VISIBILITY

  WINDOW LATCHES FAILED.

• 10/25/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT STOP LIGHT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. ENGINE REVVED, AND VEHICLE BUMPED INTO THE ONE IN FRONT. VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED LIKE THIS TWICE. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THIS.*AK

• 10/25/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FAILURE ON THE FUEL INJECTORS, CONSUMER NOTICED A HALF TANK OF GAS MIXED IN THE OIL PAN/LINE. *AK

• 10/20/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  GRANDSON GOT INTO VEHICLE & BUMPED SLIDING DOOR. THE DOOR BECAME UNLATCHED. VEHICLE ON SLIGHT INCLINE AT TIME. DOOR WAS CAUGHT BEFORE CLOSING ON CHILD IN DOOR AREA. *AK

• 10/16/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES.*AK

• 10/16/2000· STRUCTURE

  CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR BECOME UNLOCK. DOOR INDICATION LIGHT COME ON. PLEASE PROVDE FURTHER INFORMATIN.

• 10/15/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESCrash

  I HAD A LOW IMPACT ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. (FORGOT TO PUT CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABOUT 4 FEET FROM BACK OF ANOTHER CAR ON SLIGHT GRADE, WELL YOU KNOW THE REST).*AK AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE SLIDING DOOR BEGAN TO "POP" ENOUGH FOR THE AJAR DOOR LIGHT TO COME ON BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR THE DOOR TO ACTUALLY OPEN. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE ESTIMATES ON REPAIRS AND WAS INFORMED BY EVERY ONE THAT IT WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. WHAT I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY IT STARTED ONLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE LOCKS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WARE.

• 10/15/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE, VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IN MARCH 2001 FOR A GAS TANK PROBLEM, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT CURRENT PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO THE RECALL PROBLEM.*JB

• 10/15/1998· AIR BAGS

  FALSE DEPLOYMENT ON TWO OCCASIONS.

• 10/12/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CRANKSHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH , CAUSING POWER LOSS. THIS CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A COLLISION ON THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT CRANKSHAFT HAS HAD CRACKS IN SHAFT BEFORE THE BREAKAGE. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

• 10/10/2000· EQUIPMENT

  WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, LUG NUT WRENCH BROKE. *SLC

• 10/07/1998· POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER ACTIVATED DURING A RAIN STORM, SWIPED ONE WAY ACROSS THE WINDOW AND STOPPED. WHEN FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO MOVE, AND IT DROPPED 6 INCHES BELOW ITS ACTUAL RESTING SPOT. ALSO, DIFFICULTY GETTING SHIFTER OUT OF PARK, WHETHER VEHICLE IS PARKED ON FLAT SURFACE OR SLIGHT INCLINE. FINALLY, REPLACED AIR CONDITIONER MOTOR.

• 10/03/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  EXHAUST GASES ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAUSE OF AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT FAILURE. *JB

• 10/02/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON ON THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T ALWAYS FUNCTION. NLM

• 09/30/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. *AK

• 09/30/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  NOISY BRAKES. AFTER BEING REPAIRED THE NOISE INTENSIFIED.

• 09/29/1999· STRUCTURE

  THE REAR SIDE DOOR UNLATCHES WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. IT DOESN'T UNLATCH ALL THE WAY. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO ADJUST THE DOOR, BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. WE DO NOT HAVE TO HIT A BUMP FOR IT TO UNLATCH. THEY ARE GOING TO PUT ON A NEW DOOR LATCH.

• 09/27/1999· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING SLIDING DOOR POPS OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 09/23/1999· STRUCTURE

  AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE, AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE CHILD OUT. *AK

• 09/22/1998· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  WHILE DRIVING THE SLIDING DOOR OPENS UNEXPECTEDLY ALMOST CAUSING AN OCCUPANT TO FALL OUT AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. DEALER REPLACED SLIDING DOOR LOCKS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

• 09/17/2001· STRUCTURE

  THE POWER DOOR LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES ON ITS OWN AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES AND OCCASIONS WHEN THE ENGAGE BUTTON HAS NOT BEEN TOUCHED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LOCKS HAVE FREQUENTLY ENGAGED RIGHT AFTER THE DOORS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AND EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING AND THE IGNITION IS NOT ON; AT THE SAME MOMENT THE FRONT DOOR ACCESS LATCHES ARE PULLED; AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND NO ONE IS IN IT AND IT IS NOT RUNNING. OUR PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM REPORTED BY CBS EVENING NEWS ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2001 (NETWORK TELEVISION NEWS). ACCORDING TO THE NEWS REPORT, THIS PROBLEM OCCURS NOT ONLY WITH THE MERCURY VILLAGER, BUT ALSO THE NISSAN QUEST.*AK

• 09/14/1998· STRUCTURE

  POWER DOOR LOCK IS LOCKING BY ITSELF,CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO BE TRAPPED WITHIN VEHICLE OR LOCKED OUTSIDE VEHICLE. DEALER NEEDS TO REPLACE DOOR LOCK SWITCH IN DOOR AND A PART WITHIN PANEL TO CORRECT DEFECT. *AK

• 09/13/2001· STRUCTURE

  THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SINCE WE HAVE HAD IT (3 YEARS). DOOR'S WILL LOCK AT ANY TIME RUNNING,OFF,OR NO KEYLESS (KEY FOB) OPPERATION. AFTER ABOUT $500 IN REPAIR CHARGES I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALER ONLY TO FIND THAT A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED AND HAVE IT FIXED NOW WITH REPLACING THE MASTER SWITCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. FROM TALKING TO THE SEVICE MANAGER THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON MANY VANS LIKE THIS, THIS IS A SMALL TOWN DEALER. TO BAD THE OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT WE TRIED DIDN'T KEEP UP WITH THE TSB'S IT TOOK LONGER FOR RESOLUTION AND THE WARRANTY IS LONG GONE. THIS PROBLEM HAS MADE THE LOCAL NEWS BUT THEY SAY THAT THEIR HAS NOT BEEN ANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM SO I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD FILL OUT THIS FORM.

• 09/12/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING 40-50MPH THE VEHICLES COMPONENTS LOCK UP AND THE ENGINE GOES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TO 4T TIMES NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS.*JB

• 09/11/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  JUST PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE, IN GREAT SHAPE. HOWEVER THERE IS A VERY INTOXICATING GAS SMELL INSIDE CABIN OF VEHICLE, AFTER REFUELING AND WHEN TANK IS BETWEEN 1/4 AND 1/2 FULL I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE 4 DAYS, AND I TRAVEL FOR A LIVING AND IT IS EVERY TIME IT GETS TO THE 1/4 TO 1/3 FULL RANGE. I HAVE TWO OTHER FRIENDS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL.

• 09/07/2001· STRUCTURE

  DOORS LOCK ON THEIR WHEN DRIVING, STANDING STILL, WHEN I SHUT THE DOORS. NO WARNING. KEYS MUST BE IN SOMEONES HANDS AT ALL TIMES TO KEEP FROM BEING LOCKED OUT. ALSO WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR IT TAKES AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES OF CONTINUIOUS OPERATION TO GET IT TO STAY UNLOCKED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES. AUG 2001 A FIX SHEET HAD ARRIVED AT THE DEALER - MOISTURE IN WINDOW SWITCH. REPAIR COST - PART $300 PLUS LABOR.*AK

• 09/07/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  AFTER TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE SECOND TIME THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FROM LOOKING AT THE HOOD, IT APPEARED THAT ONE OF THE HOTTEST POINTS WAS OVER THE BATTERY AREA. EVERYTHING FORWARD OF FIREWALL WAS TOTALLY BURNED. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK