Steering wheel lights
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Steering wheel lights
Hi,
The lights on my steering wheel for the cruise control are very intermittant. At time the left side lights work or the right side lights work, or both work, or none work..
I took it to the dealership that I bought it from and they actually told me that there are no lights in the steering wheel (ficken idiots!
).. Go figure...
Any ideas on how to fix this?
The lights on my steering wheel for the cruise control are very intermittant. At time the left side lights work or the right side lights work, or both work, or none work..
I took it to the dealership that I bought it from and they actually told me that there are no lights in the steering wheel (ficken idiots!
).. Go figure...Any ideas on how to fix this?
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From: Virginia Beach
Must be a common problem as I have had this issue on two Explorers myself. From what I understand there are no actual bulbs or something simple like that you can replace in these lighted cruise controls, at least on my 1998. The fix is installing new cruise control modules, (the buttons, lights, the whole works) on the wheel. The last I checked, and it has been a long while, I think the modules ran around 40 bucks each, but like I said, it has been a while. I never replaced mine, just live with no lights on those cruise controls. Also, if I remember correctly, replacing them involves temporarily removing the steering wheel airbag, something I really didn't want to deal with.
JD
JD
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Originally Posted by 9explorer8
Must be a common problem as I have had this issue on two Explorers myself. From what I understand there are no actual bulbs or something simple like that you can replace in these lighted cruise controls, at least on my 1998. The fix is installing new cruise control modules, (the buttons, lights, the whole works) on the wheel. The last I checked, and it has been a long while, I think the modules ran around 40 bucks each, but like I said, it has been a while. I never replaced mine, just live with no lights on those cruise controls. Also, if I remember correctly, replacing them involves temporarily removing the steering wheel airbag, something I really didn't want to deal with.
JD
JD
Seems wierd that there would be no lights in the wheel it self.. Are there some kind of fiber optic light tubs comming from the cruise control box and that is what makes the wheel light up?
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From: Virginia Beach
Originally Posted by stunod2002
I'm not a big fan of removing the steering wheel either, especially with air bags involved but It is really annoying and my **** tendencies are getting the best of me.
Seems wierd that there would be no lights in the wheel it self.. Are there some kind of fiber optic light tubs comming from the cruise control box and that is what makes the wheel light up?
Seems wierd that there would be no lights in the wheel it self.. Are there some kind of fiber optic light tubs comming from the cruise control box and that is what makes the wheel light up?
1. I know where the controls are without having to look at them
2. They are not real cheap
3. It requires removing the airbag
4. The new modules may not work any better.
Hope that helps
JD
Last edited by 9explorer8; Dec 28, 2005 at 09:31 AM.
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From: Fort Smith
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Virginia Beach
Originally Posted by CobraXP
You can get the bulbs separate. Here are their numbers:
PS: If anyone has installed these bulbs into these cruise control modules before how difficult is it? Does the module come apart easliy and how? Does it require working on the circuitboard at the componet level or do the bulbs just pop in. And any other suggestions and hints would be helpful.
Thanks in advance
JD
Last edited by 9explorer8; Dec 28, 2005 at 10:48 AM.
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From: Fort Smith
It took me a while to find the bulb numbers. It is not a public known fact they have bulbs that can be replaced - even by some Ford part centers. I have the Ford shop manuals - and they do not even lists the bulbs - only say to change the module.
I've changed them before. Pretty simple. I took the airbag off the steering wheel just so I didn't hit it or something happen while I was working around it. Then I took and pryed the controls apart. The bulb just twists into place. Reassemble and you're good to go...
I've changed them before. Pretty simple. I took the airbag off the steering wheel just so I didn't hit it or something happen while I was working around it. Then I took and pryed the controls apart. The bulb just twists into place. Reassemble and you're good to go...
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Virginia Beach
Originally Posted by CobraXP
It took me a while to find the bulb numbers. It is not a public known fact they have bulbs that can be replaced - even by some Ford part centers. I have the Ford shop manuals - and they do not even lists the bulbs - only say to change the module.
I've changed them before. Pretty simple. I took the airbag off the steering wheel just so I didn't hit it or something happen while I was working around it. Then I took and pryed the controls apart. The bulb just twists into place. Reassemble and you're good to go...
I've changed them before. Pretty simple. I took the airbag off the steering wheel just so I didn't hit it or something happen while I was working around it. Then I took and pryed the controls apart. The bulb just twists into place. Reassemble and you're good to go...
Excellent! I'm a tinkerer at heart, so maybe I'll brave the airbag removal and try what you say. Particularly if the bulbs just twist in. If I can't make it work, well, I haven't lost much in terms of money and will probably learn some useful things in the process.
Thanks much
JD
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Originally Posted by 9explorer8
Excellent! I'm a tinkerer at heart, so maybe I'll brave the airbag removal and try what you say. Particularly if the bulbs just twist in. If I can't make it work, well, I haven't lost much in terms of money and will probably learn some useful things in the process.
Thanks much
JD
Thanks much
JD
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I have also replaced the bulbs in the Cruise control switches. A word of WARNING!!!. Before removing the airbag, disconnect the battery and leave the vehicle alone for some time (I left it 30 minutes) to allow any capacitors to discharge. The airbag fixings are under the small plastic covers on either side of the steering wheel centre boss. The switch modules can then be removed and unplugged. Carefully prise the module apart. The bulb is a bayonet fit.
Best wishes. Happy New Year. Thanks for the photos CobraXP.
Best wishes. Happy New Year. Thanks for the photos CobraXP.