2001 explorer sport cruise control not working

[Flick75]

First time posting in this plethora of Ford Explorer knowledge forum. I've learned many things from here without posting and used the search engine extensively, but have a problem I can't quite pin down through the current forum posts.

I have an 01 sport that just recently, about 3 months or so, had the cruise control and seat pin recall done on it. After the recall, everything worked fine except I got the SRS yellow light giving me the code that the driver side airbag was not receiving enough voltage, which I quickly corrected with making sure the plug under the seat was fully engaged, which fixed that problem. Cruise control worked just fine.

All of a sudden, last week, the speed control on the dash just blinked after I turned cruise control on and tried to set accel. The speed contr light just blinked each time I pressed set accel. Now it's not blinking at all. I looked at the plug on top of the master cylinder and found brake fluid inside of it. My horn works and no other lights light up. Its sounds to me like the switch and/or gasket on top of the master cylinder could be bad, but I was wondering if I'm leaning in the right direction or is there much more I should consider. I also recently replaced both upper control arms as both boots on the ball joint were torn. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Matt

 

[crashman]

I would say they screwed up doing the recall. Basically they install a fused harness between the current one and the switch on the master. This way if the
switch leaks and shorts the wires, the fuse blows. I'd say yours was shorting, and now the fuse is blown, hence no light on dash now. I'd go back to Ford they are supposed to replace the deactivation switch if there are signs of leakage.

Steve

 

[my98nnj]

Replace the switch on the master cylinder, they are prone to fail. Mine did the exact same thing your's did, a brief flash of the light when you tried to set cruise.
The switch is about 14 bucks from the dealer, a very simple fix and your cruise will work just fine.

 

[Flick75]

Thanks for help guys

Problem fixed. Installed the new switch and wiring harness adapter on the master cylinder and it fixed the problem. Thanks guys for the replies.

 

[djstatix]

Is that the recall part? I have the exact same issue with my 2001 sport and looks like some fluid leaking from the master cylinder switch too.

 

[Flick75]

Yeah, it's the recall thing. Take to your dealer and let them do the recall if you haven't done it already. If you have the recall already then you'll need to get the "new switch". I ended up going to the parts desk and ask for a new cruise control switch for the master cylinder. He paused and asked if I had the recall already. I said yeah and he sold me the new switch. The new switch takes take the fused assembly recall part out all together. Really easy to install on the master cylinder. Good luck!

 

[djstatix]

Thanks, ive been slacking on the recall but now i have some motivation. Thanks for the reply.