I have an 89 E150, 302, A/Trans, NON Tilt Steering Wheel, with Cruise Control. I just want to know what I might be getting into replacing the turn signal cancel cam. With all of these cruise controls running up to the steering wheel, it is not quite the same as the old round horn button with one wire, and you are at the steering wheel nut. Any advise???

 

I did the same work on a 1988 with similar specs a few months back. The answer is, it's not that bad as long as you have access to decent tools and a junkyard. If you have done basic home electronics work and don't have huge fingers, it's not a big deal at all.

The wheel cover comes off with 2 philips screws in the back. The wheel itself requires a wheel puller (rent/buy one at your local auto-parts store). Don't forget to mark the wheel position with a dab of whiteout or similar so the wheel goes back on straight. After that, the whole inside pretty much explains itself. Don't let cruise-control scare you. It's only 2 or 3 wires.The cam is kinda crammed in with the wiring harness and some misc screws and such, and I reccomend one of the following to replace it:

- find a donor vehicle in good shape and grab the whole harness down to the base of the column, or:
- find a donor vehicle in good shape, take out just the cam and a decent lenth of pigtails on the wires.

You can get the "Help" brand replacement at an auto-parts stores, but their tolerances stink and the one I got was worse than the broken one I was replacing fresh out of the package.

Some small barrel-pinch connectors and a small pair of needle-nose pliers will likely be necessary for the replacement cam install, as the wiring has very little slack and if you make any in the runs, things won't fit back in well.

Good luck.
Dan

 

Dan, Thanks a heap. That was the very information I was looking for. I am mad at myself. I missed a brand new Ford replacement turn signal switch on Ebay that went for $9.99. That is cheaper than buying the cam. Oh well, such is life. Thanks again. Earle