Steering wheel controls acting up
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Steering wheel controls acting up
My steering wheel media controls are acting up. They are all doing the wrong functions. For example volume up is changing the mode. I've heard this could happen on the previous gen trucks, is it also heard of in these trucks?
Is the fix just replacing the buttons?
Is the fix just replacing the buttons?
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
[QUOTE=A/Ox4;18622394]My steering wheel media controls are acting up. They are all doing the wrong functions. For example volume up is changing the mode. I've heard this could happen on the previous gen trucks, is it also heard of in these trucks?
Is the fix just replacing the buttons?
[/QUOTE
Have you tried going into the settings menu via the SYNC screen and doing a Master reset.
This might be an APIM problem.
Is the fix just replacing the buttons?
Have you tried going into the settings menu via the SYNC screen and doing a Master reset.
This might be an APIM problem.
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
Likes: 58
From: Missouri
Yep. Didn't work. This problem is also intermittent.
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5th Wheeling
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Well after saying that replacing the buttons fixed the problem, just this morning the same weird things started happening. The dealer replaced the buttons a little over a month ago and all was good until this morning.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
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I went through the same process.
Replaced the buttons (did that myself, easy enough).
Worked ok... then started acting up again.
Mine seemed to act up more the warmer it got outside.
Took it to the dealer and they replaced the clock spring.
That truck had an extended warranty.
A clock spring allows the steering wheel to turn without tearing up all the wiring.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...2409&FORM=VIRE
Replaced the buttons (did that myself, easy enough).
Worked ok... then started acting up again.
Mine seemed to act up more the warmer it got outside.
Took it to the dealer and they replaced the clock spring.
That truck had an extended warranty.
A clock spring allows the steering wheel to turn without tearing up all the wiring.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...2409&FORM=VIRE
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9 ECHO 1
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12,467
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From: Missouri
Thanks guys. Looks like the clock spring will probably be the culprit. What causes this? Worn insulation? Bad contacts?
Also, how difficult/easy is it to replace the clock spring? I watched part of that video in the previous post.
Also, how difficult/easy is it to replace the clock spring? I watched part of that video in the previous post.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 57
Probably a lower failure rate that is within Ford's tolerance.
On my '13, you have to pull the airbag to change the buttons.
I did that myself.
When that did not cure the issue, I was advised that the problem was likely in the radio.
I took it to the dealer because I had an ESP on that truck.
They correctly identified it as the clock spring.
Air bag and steering wheel have to come off.
Only you can decide if your comfortable removing the air bag.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: 0,0,1
Years ago when it was just the horn circuit passing through the clockspring there was a contact. Now with all of the cruise and radio controls there's actually a ribbon cable wrapped inside the clockspring assembly. Over the years as the steering wheel gets turned back and forth the flexing of this ribbon cable takes it's toll and conductors start to break internally.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2019
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I don't care for the "lower failure rate" argument with any manufacturer. My '05 Explorer had this problem, my '05 F150 FX4 had this problem, and my assumption is that my '18 F150 will also have this problem. I hope that it's something they will address, quickly.
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