[Shotimes] Steering wheel/column possible electrical problems

[John J. Weidenbenner]

The horn and cruise share circuits that run through the clock spring. That's
a coiled ribbon cable in the column behind the steering wheel. The wires
break. It is a fairly common failure. Cost about $70 - $90.

The multifunction switch may be the high beam problem. Cost about $30 and is
in the way of the clock spring R&R. Some people clean the contacts, but I'd
just replace it.

John W.
93 atx, been there done that.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Barrett" <dougb@ez-net.com>
To: <Shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2003 5:09 PM
Subject: [Shotimes] Steering wheel/column possible electrical problems


> Hello all,
>
> After lurking around the mailing list for a while, I figure now is about
> time to ask a question about a problem I'm having with my '93 Silver ATX.
>
> I turn to the collective about this problem because I have just about run
> out of patience.  The buttons for my cruise control used to somewhat work;
> I'd have to press 'off' or 'coast' to set the speed, resume would work,
but
> none of the other buttons did anything.  After a while, the combination
> changed.  I needed to press off then on then off again to get it to set,
> other times pressing off 3 times then set worked; now they don't do
anything.
>
> Also I just found out yesterday that the horn doesn't work either.  I
> checked all of the fuses and they are all okay.  I know the horn does work
> because I tested it with the 'panic' button on the remote.  Today I pulled
> apart the dash looking for a loose wiring harness and was unable to find
> any connections that were loose.  While under there, I figured I'd check
my
> high beam indicator lamp since it wasn't working; the bulb was fine.  The
> high beams do work, just not the indicator.
>
> So after all of that, what I am asking is whether I should be looking for
> some common harness somewhere to test wires and/or connections or what?
>
> On a side note, I bought this car with a bad tranny from my
> father-in-law.  Most of this seemed to happen after I had it replaced by a
> local Ford dealership, although it may have happened while sitting at his
> house.  I'm not sure what the maintenance history is on this car either,
> because my father-in-law only owned it for about 2 years.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Doug Barrett
>
> '93 Silver/Black Leather ATX
> 88,000mi
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