Steering wheel audio/cruise button fix

[pkuchirka]

Check the following for the speed control

Visual Inspection Chart
Mechanical Electrical

• Speed control cable
• Throttle lever
• Speed control actuator
• Brake pedal position (BPP) switch
• Speed control deactivator switch
• Bent brake pedal deactivator switch tab
• Power control module (PCM)

• Central junction box (CJB) fuse(s):
  • 5 (7.5A)
  • 12 (10A)
  • 28 (5A)
• Circuitry

Thank you! I will be checking these!

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[Bedrck47]

When you press the brake pedal and the light goes off.

What happens when you press the resume switch? Does the light come back on?

 

[Bedrck47]

preform the self test


Speed Control Self-Test Diagnostics

WARNING: This test is a key on engine off (KOEO) test only that is conducted in PARK only with the emergency brake fully engaged.

NOTE: A review of the following test steps is required before carrying out the Self-Test Diagnostic procedure. After entering the diagnostic mode, the module will time out if the mandatory switch sequence is not completed within 5 seconds. If a module time out occurs, the procedure must be reinitiated.

1. Enter the Self-Test Diagnostics by pressing the speed control OFF switch while turning the ignition key ON, making sure the engine does not start and is not running. Five additional flashes at this point indicate a defective speed control actuator. Release the OFF switch.

1. Press and release the remaining switches in this sequence: ON, RESUME, COAST and SET/ACCEL (for Expedition), ON RESUME, COAST and CANCEL (for Navigator).
   The speed control indicator lamp will flash after each switch is pressed and released. Press and release each switch in the sequence immediately after the indicator light goes out for the previous switch.
   

1. NOTE: There will be a slight delay when the last button is pressed and released and the lamp flashes.
   
   A lamp flash with the last button (SET/ACCEL) or CANCEL (for Navigator) indicates that the STATIC test passed. If the lamp does not flash with the last button and there are no additional flashes of the lamp, the switches are defective.
   If the lamp does not flash with the last button, and additional flashes occur, follow the chart below for trouble codes:
   
   NOTE: If unable to enter self-test, Go To Pinpoint Test D .
   
   

Flashes

Source

2 Flashes

BPP defective, circuit is defective, brake applied

3 Flashes

Deactivator switch is open or circuit defective

1. Immediately after the STATIC test, the speed control servo does a DYNAMIC test by automatically actuating the throttle lever from 8 mm (0.315 in) to 12 mm (0.472 in) of travel from the idle position. During the DYNAMIC throttle pull, observe throttle movement to witness any binding or sticking of the speed control cable and correct connection of speed control cable to throttle lever. Make sure the throttle returns back to the idle position.
   

1. Return the ignition switch to the OFF position and proceed to the Symptom Chart.
   

 

[bronsonb]

I had the same problem with my buttons, and I also ordered a replacement set off of eBay. Same thing with the replacements...only one or two items worked. Seller sent me several replacement sets, none of which worked. By that time, I had cleaned my original ones with electronic parts cleaner, and when I reinstalled them. everything worked fine.

 

[John Christopher]

I was going to take my cruise control cluster out and clean the contacts because it wasn't working consistently. I decided to give WD40 a try and it solved the problem for now. I put some rags on the steering wheel to absorb excess spray. Then sprayed the wd40 all around the switches an worked them several times. It's worth a try. I'll repost if it starts again.

 

[R W Carpenter]

This trick worked famously.

I had to kind of adapt a bit as I didn't have any denatured alcohol. I used QD Electronic Cleaner. It would seem that 12 years of sticky yucky dirty fingers were the culprit to some of my buttons not working. Also, for reference, you will need a T7 Hex wrench.

This procedure definitely takes patience.

Thanks for a great write up and for saving me $30.00.

 

[illuminerdy]

Thanks for this tip! About half of my steering wheel buttons aren't responsive. I'm going to give this a shot before I shell out replacing whole thing. Wish me luck!

 

[John Christopher]

Thanks for this tip! About half of my steering wheel buttons aren't responsive. I'm going to give this a shot before I shell out replacing whole thing. Wish me luck![/QU

Welcome to the forum. Let me know if the WD40 works for your controls. I did mine back on 1/8/18 and they are still working fine.

 

[Jphill5688]

Great job with the photos

 

[James Waters]

Excellent post! I've replaced two sets of these thinking they were 'broken' and now I know for next time...which I am sure after a while I'll be removing them again.

 

[JohnnyB]

Thank you for the pics I am sure this will be very helpful to other members.
I will keep the link to this so I have it in my files.

Sure was helpful! Thank you for the info!

 

[dano]

My first thread, just thought I would share my findings since my searches didn't turn up this exact info.

Picked up a '03 EB and several of the steering wheel buttons were inop, the rest worked fine or at least sometimes. After reading on here and other places that these seem to "go bad" I picked up a used set off eBay cheap. Long story short, these has certain functions that didn't work also, seller sent me a replacement used set no charge.

Son now I have 3 sets, one that works well (the last set) but the buttons looked terrible. I decided to sacrifice one of the partially working ones to see if I could tell what failed.

After some trial and error here is what I found:
-the functions that quit working were due to dirty contacts.

That's it. Dirty contacts. And they are simple copper contacts.

All you have to do is remove the switch form the wheel, and get a skinny T8 torx in between the buttons at the top and bottom and loosen the two screws holding the board/switch assembly to the housing, and that assembly comes out. Gently separate the board from the button assembly, and you can easily clean the button and board contacts with a cotton swab and some denatured alcohol.

Bit good sets I have work like a champ now!


Hope this helps someone having the same issue! Takes all of 20 minutes total start to finish

sscharlie, thanks for the info and pics. I have an 05 with failing controls as well. Did you have to remove the air bag to get to the cruise buttons?
thanks for your help.

 

[John Christopher]

sscharlie, thanks for the info and pics. I have an 05 with failing controls as well. Did you have to remove the air bag to get to the cruise buttons?
thanks for your help.

dano, you might want to try the directions I posted on page 3. It involves using wd40 and spraying the controls. Worked for me and others and we didn't have to take the controls apart. Worth a try.

 

[Bain64]

sscharlie, thanks for the info and pics. I have an 05 with failing controls as well. Did you have to remove the air bag to get to the cruise buttons?
thanks for your help.

Yes. But the airbag is held on by two 8mm bolts that come out easily. I didn't even bother to disconnect, just set the airbag on top of the steering wheel column.

I just did the maintenance this weekend myself, and it was worth it! The cruise set speed, accel, and decel work on the first push now instead of 3-4 hard presses! Also my volume controls always goes the direction I press, where before it would occasionally increase the volume when I pressed volume down.

 

[Frank Swygert]

I know this is a year-old thread, but do PULL THE AIRBAG FUSE before removing the air bag, just in case!! I have ONE button not working, will try spraying around it with tuner cleaner before removing. This is a great tip, thanks OP!!

 

[Ozzy]

Nice! Thanks for sharing this! I have the same issues on my 05, and was going to have at it once our weather warms a bit. Now I know what I am in for, and what I need. I had a feeling it was dirty contacts by the way it acts, but couldn’t prove or disprove that until I got it apart.

Once I do this, I plan to try Caig DeOxit as my cleaner. I already have it on hand, as I used to do a lot of electronics work at my home shop years ago. Now it’s a staple like WD40. Lol. It works well not only to clean contact surfaces, but also to leave behind a coating that helps inhibit further corrosion.


Again. Nicely done!

 

[FRD88]

I have been meaning to do this for a long time. I have had issues on occasion with the radio controls not functioning properly and only radio controls all other buttons for cruise and temp worked fine. Example - volume down button would change station and various other wrong functions. I replaced the factor radio with a Kenwood and payed for the extra wiring to have steering wheel controls and unfortunately the same problem. I didn't think a new radio or cleaning the buttons would help since the buttons would always work just not perform the correct function and it was a most likely the clock spring. A few weeks ago I decided to give the cleaning a try since my cruise control buttons were starting to work intermittently. I didn't find anything that looked dirty and after reinstall it did fix my cruise control buttons but the radio buttons are still not functioning correctly all of the time. This thread was very helpful and made the cleaning easy. I would like to try replacing the clock spring next but I am not paying over $200 for a new one just to have steering wheel radio controls, so I might try one from the local yard if I can find one.

 

[FRD88]

Has anyone removed the steering wheel? I believe I found a clock spring at the local yard but not for sure what tools will be needed. I am guessing a standard steering wheel puller will be needed and just some basic sockets.

 

[Pecos]

Thanks for the great info. Very helpful

 

[dano]

How does the switch assembly actually come off the steering wheel?
I have a 2005 Expy Limited where I have the same issues with the cruise.