I'm new here but not new to forums. Just bought a used 2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer. It has all the steering wheel controls for the audio, temp control and of course the cruise control.

The issue is the buttons don't always do what they are supposed to do. Sometimes the volume button will change the radio station, sometimes the volume down will make the volume go up. This morning I noticed using the cruise that sometimes the button used to slow down will actually make the vehicle speed up.

It's not every time but quite often. Also, maybe unrelated but maybe not.. The volume control **** on the radio is terrible as well. If you turn it quickly the volume will shoot all the way to the top. You have to turn it extremely slow.

Any idea would be a great help. Thanks.

 

Internal to the steering wheel buttons is a set resistance for each button. I haven't had the button assembly apart to determine if these are discrete resistors or printed resistors. You might have a problem with the keypads themselves or the wiring between the buttons and the device being controlled.

Since the cruise control also acts up, I'm guessing the issue is with the buttons rather than the wiring or radio and speed control modules.

-Rod