Cruise control light out

[Majisto]

Hey guys, the light behind the On/Off cruise control switches is out. It looks like I can't pull out the buttons to get to the light, so does this mean I have to pull apart the entire wheel?

 

[itbejared]

yeah, i had the same thing happen to me. I just ended up replacing the buttons. they were like $25 or so, and yet you have to tear apart the steering wheel to do it.. I believe thats the only way to get lights back.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Have you tried a search for 'cruise control' yet? I did and found a ton of info about those pesky lights. It seems they tend to burn out way to frequently. Anyway, I just replaced my switches today as I added in a Ford cruise control kit.
I pulled one of the old switches apart to look at the bulb. Just like in a couple of the threads I had found...you CAN change out just the lightbulb. You need to remove the airbag first. You can pry off the rubber-like cover from the switch...it is pressed in around the switch body pretty good. Once you get the cover off...look inside the switch and you will see 2 small plastic tabs sticking through the circuit board. Bend these back and the circuit board will pull free of the back switch housing. Under the CB you will see a green plastic bulb holder...unscrew it and pull the bulb out.
That's about it. Reverse the order and install it all back. It really does not look all that hard to re-install...just a little time.
Be sure to check out those threads for where they got the bulbs...stock numbers. Seems some dealers claim the bulbs are not available unless you have the stock number.
Good luck, hope this helps,
Ken

 

[Majisto]

Thanks. So the buttons and lights are one piece to buy? How do I take the old one out and put the new one in?

 

[Bottomlesspit]

You basically have 2 ways to go here.
1) You can replace your buttons on both sides as a set or,
2) You can replace just the light bulbs ...1 on each side under the buttons.
To replace the buttons you have to remove the airbag and pull the wheel. You just remove the old buttons and wires and replace with the new ones. Not hard, took me about 20 minutes total. The only reason to pull the wheel is so you can get the wires out that run between the two sides...they are sorta pinched in behind the wheel.
To replace just the bulbs you pull the airbag off and just pry the existing switches apart. Remove the old bulb and replace with the new. You will just have to wrestle with prying the button covers off and sticking them back on.
Ken

 

[jaydublyew]

I need to replace mine also, but I'm wondering if there's any possibility of somehow damaging or causing a malfunction of the airbag by doing this? Is this pretty easy for the average joe, or should a dealer take care of it?

 

[Lee S.]

I need to replace mine also, but I'm wondering if there's any possibility of somehow damaging or causing a malfunction of the airbag by doing this? Is this pretty easy for the average joe, or should a dealer take care of it?

It's actually harder to find the new bulbs than it is to replace the old one(s). Somewhere there is a thread that has the bulb part numbers and instructions for dismantling and installing them. Do a search for cruise control switches or something similar and I'm sure you'll find it. My Ford dealer actually had the bulbs that go into the cruise switches except that they were clear instead of green so I salvaged the little green cover from the old bulb to use with the new bulb. The bulbs only cost about $3.00 each as I remember so I bought several just to keep some extra around. Really a pretty easy job if you have the bulbs. Don't worry about the air bag.......it comes out in one unit and gets reinstalled the same way. JUST REMEMBER TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE ATTEMPTING THIS JOB SO YOU DON'T SET OFF THE AIRBAG WHEN WORKING AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL.

Good Luck

Lee

 

[Sallad420]

I don't undeerstand why you have to pull the wheel apart? Maybe it's different for other years, but on my 96, I just popped the black covers off, pulled the curcit board off and replaced the bulbs with ones from Radio Shack. then just put it back together. Took all of 10 mins.

 

[Ford4Me]

The lights on my 97 Exp go out sometimes, but they usually come on if i tap or hit the back of the cruise control unit. I thought my bulb was out too, so I was relieved when they came back on. They go out every now and then so somethings probably loose. (Or it could just be another part of this vehicle that wasn't well made)

 

[Lee S.]

I don't undeerstand why you have to pull the wheel apart? Maybe it's different for other years, but on my 96, I just popped the black covers off, pulled the curcit board off and replaced the bulbs with ones from Radio Shack. then just put it back together. Took all of 10 mins.

Maybe it is different for different years. For my 98X it was just a matter of taking off the center of the steering wheel (the part that you push to sound the horn which also covers the airbag). Then you remove the airbag unit to get at the switches. Once you remove the switches then you have to take them apart to access the bulbs,

I believe I followed the instructions on this thread:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=92644&highlight=cruise+control+switch

Still all in all not a difficult job.

Lee