Hey guys. Had to change my multifunction switch tonight. Figured I'd do a write up on it. Jim did a write up awhile back where he removed the wheel so I thought I'd do one without removing the wheel. I started at 10:30PM when I got home from work. I finished around 11:15PM taking time to take plenty of pics so I would have a good selection for this write up. Here we go.

Tools needed:

• medium size Phillips screwdriver
• T-20 torx driver
• 2 small flathead screwdrivers
• 7mm driver or socket on a 1/4" ratchet
• cresent wrench

Start off by removing the lower dash panel. I had already removed it before I decided to take pics for a write up, so no pics of that. There are 2 7mm screws on the bottom of it to be removed, then simply pull it off.

Now you need to remove the lower column cover. There are 3 phillips screws that go in from the bottom and one on the right side of the column





Now unscrew the tilt lever so that you can get the lower cover off. It literally takes 5 seconds to get off.





Now that all the screws are out and the tilt lever is out, the bottom cover just falls off. Now you can shift the top cover around so you can work on the switch easily. The top cover doesn't come off unless you pull the ignition out which is really easy also, but not neccessary for this job. The multifunction switch is just held on by 2 T-20 torx screws. Pull those out and the switch will drop down so you can unplug the 2 connectors

bottom switch screw



top switch screw





If you pull the bottom connector off first, it makes it a little easier to get the top out IMO. Both connectors have 2 clips so you will have to use 2 flat blade screwdrivers to release the clips and pull the connectors off.









Now that the connectors are off, the multifunction switch is out. Now it's time for the new one. In my case, I did not have a new one and since my turn signals weren't working I had to change it quickly. I used the switch from my donor 1992 F-150. There was no difference between the 2.



Installation is reverse of removal. Nice and simple.







top screw for the switch



bottom



Put the bottom cover back on after shifting the top cover back down











put the tilt lever back



Now put the lower dash back on and your DONE!!




Now, I should probably say I felt incredibly stupid after I finished this. The reason I changed the switch is because the turn signals were not working, but everything else did. The hazards, wipers, etc. I just put a new flasher in last week and since the hazards worked, i assumed the flasher was good. I was WRONG!!!! Got the donor switch in the truck and plugged it in. I checked it before I put everything together. Same symptoms. So I pulled the flasher out and hit the hazards. What do ya know, the hazards work without the flasher. Learn something new everyday!!! So I stole the flasher out of my F-150 and put it in, everything worked perfectly. So, I buttoned it up feeling pretty dumb, but happy it works now. LOL

 

Hi, i have a problem with my wiper switch as there appears that the wipers do not
work in some positions, could this fix clear this up or is there some other fix.
I have heard that the wiper switch can get flat spots.thank's

 

My guess the MFS is a good place to start with that problem.
Good write up Travis!

 

Great write up travis tried to rep, still in rep time-out. be sure you toss this in your 'links' sticky up top if you haven't already

EDIT: Yup, you already put it in the tech/links. cool

 

John Brown, you can pop the cap off the end of the turn signal and there is a little phillips screw you remove. Then the selector for the wiper slides off. Being careful to note the lay out of the switch, clean the contacts and put a dab of die-electric or contact grease on the contacts and carefully put back together. This fixed my wiper issue.

Great write up Travis!

 

oh man.just what i was looking for!
thanks! rep sent!
fyi;
Motorcraft SW5591
you can find it at amazon.


p.s.
be careful you don't spray too much armor all on your hazard switch.

 

I was having trouble with my left turn signal coming on (had to watch it all the time) , & balked at the price of a new MFS .. had a new one from a 96 explorer that bolted right in ... Problem solved . The angle is a bit different , but it works fine ...

 

45 minutes, it would have taken all day for me. Good job Travis!! Tried to rep to, what is the deal??

 

FWIW you can get to that one screw without removing the lower dash panel. Nice job on the write-up!

 

Some FYI info for you. Sometimes if just part of the MFS isn't working it cause the contacts are dirty. About 25% of the time you can revive the switch my spraying brake cleaner in every crack and opening then blowing the switch out with air.

 

While were on this topic, does anyone know how to correct the self-canceling mechanism of the turn signal? Mine hasn't worked in forever...

 

john....my multi switch acted up also. I had NO wipers in the rain. Kinda sucked! So I got home and undid the steering column there and pulled the switch off. To my dismay I found that one of the wires had come uncrimped and was just a dangling around. So I used my valve cover pin removal tool and unlocked it and soldered it and the other two back together. Problem solved. I reassembled the switch and I was back to havin wipers.

 

Great post! I have a short that may be in the MFS. Was worried that it would be an all day job. Now I know better.

 

Travis,
Very good write up and excelent pics. Thanks for share it. I tried to rep you, but you know the story

 

New to me 2000 F150 XLT 4X4 5.4 Triton V8
New to the group

Turn signal doesn't release off after turn so I am assuming simply a plastic piece has busted off in the multifunction switch. Started Google searching and found many videos on replacement that went from dash removal to steering wheel removal. Searched our group and came across this thread. Sorry to say not very mechanical and my son and I are learning as you go. This seems by far the easiest but also appears to be a bit claustrophobic. I am "Murphy's Law" so a simple question....is this the best method for a newbie? Thanks............