1978 FORD PINTO User Comment / Complaint

I have had problems with the plastic panels on the back of the instrument clusters deteriorating and crumbling with heat and age on 3 cars. these were a 1976 ford pinto wagon, a 1976 ford e250 club wagon van, and a 1972 amc matador (appearently the same ford design of this part). this part holds the connectors and components onto the plastic ribbon that carries the wiring. i found that this causes loose connections and i believe that it could start a fire, in addition to the instrumention not working. i have also heard of this same problem from several other people in ford vehicles. it seems to become appearant when they are over about 10 years old.