Cruise/speed control not working

Found this on the shifter knob as was suggested before. Completely severed. Chances are, that has something to do with the OD switch not working.



Another one (seems still connected, but sheared), incredibly hard to see in this pic, but its there, inside the electrical tape.



This is a lone connector in the dash. Seemingly, nowhere to plug it into, or plug into it. 5 wires used on a 6 wire connector. Any ideas? I found this in the lift-up console in the left corner near some relays.

The speed sensor is on the front top of the rear differential. Inexpensive part and easily changed.

carringb wrote:

This has happened to me. The tiny wires at the base of the shifter got pinched in the shifter's pivot joint. I used some telecom splice connectors for a temp fixed, and then a body shop replaced it after the broke the end of the shifter all the way off while doing some paint work.

But... consider you have non-working cruise control too, I would also make sure the steering wheel connectors are all connected! I believe cruise and OD run through one connector, and airbag runs through another. Does your horn work?

Indeed, this is where it gets complicated. If I go back tomorrow I will indeed take a look at these wires. With 91k I suppose anything is possible!

Where would these wire harness's meet up with the boards where they plug into? I lifted the instrument panel up (its on hinges) and discovered a little prop bar and took a peek. The park brake sensor is in there, I got access to it to enable the jacks and slide. I DID see a few connectors that had nothing plugged into them, however not knowing what they were for, I didnt try to connect them to anything. I DID however look around for nearby possibilities for mates, and seeing to males to match these females, I disregarded them, and assumed they were there for some optional feature.


I never thought to dig deeper into these. Perhaps its as simple as that. Wouldnt that be fun lol.

superk wrote:
Hmm... after i got the cruise working, that was to be my next topic. My overdrive button does nothing. When I push it, the OFF does not light up as it is supposed to.

I thought that when the vehicle experienced transmission issues the OD OFF light is supposed to flash?

This has happened to me. The tiny wires at the base of the shifter got pinched in the shifter's pivot joint. I used some telecom splice connectors for a temp fixed, and then a body shop replaced it after the broke the end of the shifter all the way off while doing some paint work.

But... consider you have non-working cruise control too, I would also make sure the steering wheel connectors are all connected! I believe cruise and OD run through one connector, and airbag runs through another. Does your horn work?

The brake lights do work, that was my first idea. Well second, the brake cylinder switch was my first lol. Thanks for the great ideas and experiences all, keep em comin!

Check and make sure your brake lights work. If there's something wrong with that circuit it can effect the cruise.

superk wrote:
1999 fleetwood bounder f53 2v triton v10 gas

While I wait for the new coils and plugs may as well continue the project. Next on the agenda, cruise control! It has never worked since I bought the unit.


YES, the recall was performed 2 weeks ago. New brake sensor and fused jumper wire. Cruise still not working.


When I push ON, nothing happens, no light On dash. I (for fun) push set, and nothing.



Checked fuse control panel, nothing blown. Checked battery control center and all goos there too. Checked fuse panel behind onstrument panel and again all good.


Where to start?

For beginners, with a shot in the dark, you might try unplugging the connectors in the area of the steering column. Scratch clean the contacts, apply a little Vaseline and plug them back in.

superk wrote:
Hmm... after i got the cruise working, that was to be my next topic. My overdrive button does nothing. When I push it, the OFF does not light up as it is supposed to.

I thought that when the vehicle experienced transmission issues the OD OFF light is supposed to flash?

What happened to me, was doing 70mph down the interstate and the tow mode button light came 'ON' all by itself while I was driving and it sounded like I left the trans on the road!

I would take it a Ford Dealer. Since it is a known problem they had my steering wheel off 'in the parking lot' no need to pull it in so you can go to just a Ford car dealership service dept.

They had the steering wheel off in seconds to see if the wires had come loose.

Real interesting was after I had it fixed I had more gauges show up on the dash and some in different colors then when I pulled in!

Hmm... after i got the cruise working, that was to be my next topic. My overdrive button does nothing. When I push it, the OFF does not light up as it is supposed to.

I thought that when the vehicle experienced transmission issues the OD OFF light is supposed to flash?

That year and a couple of others had problems with the cruise and tow mode button in gear shift.

The problem being loose wires INSIDE the steering wheel.

Yup that's where they put them. I would take it to a Ford Dealership. That's what I did when no one else could figure it out and they went straight for the loose wire in the steering wheel.

They said it could be one of two things. Loose wire in steering wheel or torque converter.

Sadly I found out my tow mode button failure was due to a bad torque converter. :(