EB Cruise Control Switches - Ford Forums

Rustynutz · 07-28-2008, 02:59

Hi all....

I'm having problems with my cruise control in my EB 11....

I decided the problem might lay with the steering wheel mounted switches so gave them a liberal dose of WD40 and let sit overnight. Next day the cruise control worked for awhile, but then stopped. Anyhow, now that I'm pretty sure the problem is with the switches, I was wondering if there is any special secret to removing them from the steering wheel. Do they just clip in? I'm not game to try popping them out until I know exactly how they come out...

So, can anyone tell me how the switches are removed?

Thanks in advance.....

jim5_0 · 08-06-2008, 21:39

Is your car an auto or a manual? Does your cruise turn on OK but not activate/resume?

I ask these questions because if your car is a manual and the clutch pedal bracket has started to give out then the cruise will only activate if you lift the clutch pedal with your toe.

Same with the brake pedal if it's out of adjustment.

These are the things that have made my cruise control difficult in the past.

Rustynutz · 08-12-2008, 04:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim5_0

Is your car an auto or a manual? Does your cruise turn on OK but not activate/resume?

I ask these questions because if your car is a manual and the clutch pedal bracket has started to give out then the cruise will only activate if you lift the clutch pedal with your toe.

Same with the brake pedal if it's out of adjustment.

These are the things that have made my cruise control difficult in the past.

Hi jim5_0
Thanks for your response....
My EB's an auto.....
The on/off switch appears to be working ok, it's seems to be just the set/resume switch. If I can find out how the switches are actually fitted into the steering wheel, then I hope to be able to disassemble it and possibly clean up the contacts.

Cheers

jim5_0 · 08-12-2008, 17:06

I have never pulled mine out so I cannot advise you on that.

Maybe you could just buy a can of electrical contact cleaner from an electronics store and spray that in the gap around the buttons.

Rustynutz · 09-09-2008, 08:34

Thanks Jim...

Aussiblue · 09-10-2008, 06:35

It's too late I know, but please NEVER EVER use WD40, contact cleaner or any similar spray on these buttons as all you will succeed in doing is making it worse by removing the carbon from the switch's pads that is required to make the electrical contacts with the copper tracks under the switches. It's the same reason you must never use these semi-solvent or solvent sprays on rubber pad keyboards on mobile phones, cameras and the like.

Instead remove the switches by levering them out with a screwdriver and clean the contacts by wiping the switches paper side down across a non glossy piece of white bond paper until they leave a graphite like trail on the paper -usually wiping them lightly just a couple of inches across the paper will do the trick. Too much of this wiping will also remove all the carbon from the contact pads so gently does it.

All is not lost though. You can use Loctite rear heater demister repair kit copper conductive paint or a Circuit Works conductive pen from Dick Smith (N5184) or Altronics (T0020) (Jaycar also sell similar stuff CAT. NO. NS3033) to paint the back of the buttons to replace the carbon pads you have washed off with those solvents. Just make sure the conductive paint is well and truly dry before replacing the buttons or the paint will adhere to the copper tracks as well as the button so the switches are always on.