2000 XLT steering column sensors

[Sdgtp99]

Ohkay, new here and new to Fords in general. I've been working on a 2000 Explorer for my dad to flip. Several new sensors on the engine, fuel pump, oil pan dropped and scraped of sludge. Cleaner ran and oil changed, again. Coolant flushed, fresh charged A/C, insides washed clean. Runs like a champ now. Great.
My problem came after removing the dash and replacing the heater core. Got everything put back together and discovered 1 sensor in the base of the steering column with nothing plugged into it. It's shaped like a drum.(sry, I don't have a photo sharing app atm) Can't find the wiring for this sensor and I'm pretty sure it's the air bag sensor. (It's lights are now on in the dash) Not sure what to do short of tearing the dash apart to find this missing wiring. Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

 

[koda2000]

A picture of what you're looking at would really be helpful. I looked up "air-bag sensors" on eBay. There are two (L & R) but neither look like what you're describing. Is your air-bag warning light flashing a code (like 3-6 or 3-7)?

 

[Sdgtp99]

You can see here in this photo.

 

[koda2000]

You can see here in this photo.

View attachment 173013

The air-bag sensors I looked up on eBay don't look anything like that. Airbag related wiring typically has yellow shielding over the wires, so if that thing has anything to do with the air-bags I would assume that wire would be pretty easy to spot. I'll look under my dash and see of I see that thing.

You didn't say if your air-bag warning light was flashing a code.

Edit:
I tried to look at my Expl, but w/out taking the lower dash off I couldn't see much (and I'm not as flexible as I used to be). If I had to guess what that thing might be I'm thinking maybe a warning chime... ? Just a guess. Maybe someone else has some idea of what that is.

 

[J_C]

Is that a Ford part # I see (but can't make out) on the sensor in the picture? Having that number might clear up what it is.

 

[Sdgtp99]

Here's a btr picture with the part #. (Rotated and cropped)

 

[Sdgtp99]

Googled the part number. It's a shift lock solenoid. Is that important?

 

[koda2000]

Shift lock used in 99-07 fords F200-3f770-AD

I think it may be that in order to get out of PARK you have to step on the brake to release it.

 

[Sdgtp99]

Yup that's it. I've already driven the Explorer around a bit since putting it back together so the shifter isn't locked.

 

[koda2000]

Yup that's it. I've already driven the Explorer around a bit since putting it back together so the shifter isn't locked.

I would imagine the wire for it would be attached/come from brake pedal switch, but who knows.

 

[J_C]

Yes it looks like 3 wires to the brake switch, power, and ground. See attachment.

 

[donalds]

Just thought i would put it out there the chime... dinger speaker is in the gem the little round black speaker

 

[Sdgtp99]

Searched everywhere for the wire that connects to that sensor. It seems not to exist. Hasn't been a problem and probably won't be. I'll look into it some more just because this car is being sold and it needs to be right.

On the bright side the Explorer is all put back together. Had to strip the interior, power wash the carpet and scrub surfaces.

Air bag lights were on because the seat sensors weren't plugged in. Lol

 

[koda2000]

Searched everywhere for the wire that connects to that sensor. It seems not to exist. Hasn't been a problem and probably won't be. I'll look into it some more just because this car is being sold and it needs to be right.

On the bright side the Explorer is all put back together. Had to strip the interior, power wash the carpet and scrub surfaces.

Air bag lights were on because the seat sensors weren't plugged in. Lol

When you said you'd cleaned the interior I figured that you had disturbed/unplugged the side air-bag delete resistors. Those things are a PITA. They often don't make good contact, then the air-bag light will flash 3-6 or 3-7 depending on which front seat isn't seeing the resistor.

As far as shifter solenoid wiring being missing, that's weird. Maybe someone replaced the brake switch in the past with the wrong one... ? I wouldn't miss or notice the shifter interlock as I'm so used to always pressing the brake before taking the trans out of PARK. The only thing I see it good for is if you the kind of person that leaves your engine running in PARK and have leave a child in the vehicle who might mess with the shifter (neither of which is a good idea).

 

[Sdgtp99]

^^^I myself prefer not to leave a car running but I have no idea what kind've person will end up buying this. If I can't fix itnI'll have to disclose it.

 

[donalds]

Believe me or not but spray a little wd-40 in the resister work it in and out and the airbag light won't come on did this 2or 3 years ago after messing with it several times

 

[koda2000]

For what it's worth...
2000 FORD EXPLORER 5.0L V8 Shift Interlock Solenoid Connector | RockAuto

 

[koda2000]

Believe me or not but spray a little wd-40 in the resister work it in and out and the airbag light won't come on did this 2or 3 years ago after messing with it several times

I'll have to try that. Every time I get in my daughter's '00 Mountaineer the air-bag light is flashing at me. I wiggle the resistors and the light goes out for a while.

 

[donalds]

Just make sure it's good and wet when you plug it in

Keeps the air out and Wd is safe for electronics I use it often

I'll have to try that. Every time I get in my daughter's '00 Mountaineer the air-bag light is flashing at me. I wiggle the resistors and the light goes out for a while.

 

[Charlie McDonald]

You mentioned dropping the oil pan and cleaning out sludge. Would you mind explaining that a bit?
I've got a 2000 Explorer too so that got my attention. How many miles on the Explorer, was it well maintained and oil changed regularly, and what was in oil pan?

Thanks!