Strange problem w/cruise contral and turn signals

[Vokkentonic]

Wondering if anyone else has encountered this:

I noticed my cruise control wasn't working when I got on the highway a few days ago. Also, every time I used a turn signal to change lanes, the transmission downshifted briefly (about 1 second). After 10-15 minutes, the turn signal phenomenon stopped and the cruise control worked. The past few days I've seen the same pattern: the first 15 minutes or so of driving the CC doesn't work and the turn signal has some effect on the transmission, then it clears up. My mechanic doesn't want to touch this one...

Any ideas?

'96 XLT 4.0 V6, 150,000 miles.

Thanks,
-- Tim

 

[TravisC]

Sounds like a wiring problem to me but I'm not too sure. Something in the steering column. I can't tell ya how to go about fixing it except taking the cover off the column and see if you can see anything noticable. I could be wrong but that's what it sounds like to me.

 

[BIG COUNTRY]

there was a recall on the cruise control...check that out, until then dont use it!

 

[Hoppy]

I would tend to beleive by what you describe is that the cruise is somehow shorted to your turn signals. YOu know when you press the brake pedals it puts the cruise on standby, well the cruise gets this signal by the brake lights coming on. Somehow you must have gotten a short and it is telling the cruise that the brake is being pressed when you are actuating the turn signal. In My Opinion, It is a short circuit between the brakes/turn signals/cruise unit.

Hoppy