Cruise Control, Corner Lights, Brake Pedal, Head Lights problem..please help.

wrestlerguy04 · #1 08-16-2011, 08:00 PM

I have no idead how to start..so I'll list..
The Cruise Control doesn't work when the lights are on, whether it be parking lights or headlights.
When I step on the brake the front corners turn on slightly, the blinkers can still be seen if they are on so I'm not entirely sure how bright they turn on.
Also when I step on the brakes the gauges dim, so does the radio.
When I step on the brake without the keys in the gauges light up and the bell starts ringing like the key is still in.
It's only happened once, but I had my head lights on and the blinkers would not work. It's only happened once and hasn't come back since.

I'm guessing they are somehow all related..
I have checked fuses to see if for some reason one of the fuses being out is causing it. They are all fine and present.
The only thing I can maybe think of is a bad groud somewhere or the electrical hookup for towing is somehow causing it. I have no idea at all.

Any help?

stevil · #2 08-16-2011, 08:30 PM

The first thing I would do is check and make sure you do not have a wrong bulb installed somewhere. Like a double fillament where a single is supposed to be. I've seen this cause some weird stuff, oh and look at the fillaments for shorting and breaking.

rwenzing · #3 08-16-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrestlerguy04

Any help?

Year??

sheltonfilms · #4 08-16-2011, 09:07 PM

I would put money on a multifunction/turn signal switch. Your brake light power passes through this switch and if that switch is bad the whole brake circuit is bad, thus automatically deactivates your cruise (so you can activate it in the first place). Also you headlight power goes through this switch as well. To me this switch is the common denominator.

wrestlerguy04 · #5 08-17-2011, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwenzing

Year??

1997 2WD XLT 3.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheltonfilms

I would put money on a multifunction/turn signal switch. Your brake light power passes through this switch and if that switch is bad the whole brake circuit is bad, thus automatically deactivates your cruise (so you can activate it in the first place). Also you headlight power goes through this switch as well. To me this switch is the common denominator.

How would like I check or fix that? Where is the switch at?

sheltonfilms · #6 08-17-2011, 05:15 AM

Its the switch inside your steering column, the one that has the turn signal lever and does the window wiper functions. There are ways of testing it, but if your are getting weird results not that often you probably won't show anything wrong when you are testing it. If it was me I would swap it out and see if that works. Or you could also take the switch apart and clean all the contacts inside and then apply some diaelectric grease back to them. Mind you this switch is a pretty complicated one on the inside.

Before I would spend any money on it, I would wait for a least someone else to confirm this.

rwenzing · #7 08-17-2011, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrestlerguy04

I have no idead how to start..so I'll list..
The Cruise Control doesn't work when the lights are on, whether it be parking lights or headlights.
When I step on the brake the front corners turn on slightly, the blinkers can still be seen if they are on so I'm not entirely sure how bright they turn on.
Also when I step on the brakes the gauges dim, so does the radio.
When I step on the brake without the keys in the gauges light up and the bell starts ringing like the key is still in.
It's only happened once, but I had my head lights on and the blinkers would not work. It's only happened once and hasn't come back since.

I'm guessing they are somehow all related..
I have checked fuses to see if for some reason one of the fuses being out is causing it. They are all fine and present.
The only thing I can maybe think of is a bad groud somewhere or the electrical hookup for towing is somehow causing it. I have no idea at all.

Any help?

These are all related in some way to the bolted ground on the driver side inner fender about halfway back. Check to see if it is broken, corroded or loose.

wrestlerguy04 · #8 08-17-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwenzing

These are all related in some way to the bolted ground on the driver side inner fender about halfway back. Check to see if it is broken, corroded or loose.

Inside of the wheel well?

rwenzing · #9 08-17-2011, 03:13 PM

Under the hood on the steel inner fender apron between the starter relay and the Electrical Distribution Box.

wrestlerguy04 · #10 09-06-2011, 08:14 PM

I've been meaning to update this. the ground wire on the inner fender is good.
I'm gonna see if I can just buy a signal switch. I see them pretty cheap online. I think. Does it make sense though that it would work correctly with the lights off (the cruise control)?

sheltonfilms · #11 09-06-2011, 09:56 PM

The more I think about it I think you may have two separate issues one with the cruise and one with everything else. The brake circuit that goes through the switch is separate from the cruise wiring.

If it was me I would try testing everything without the multifunction switch plugged in. There are two connectors on the switch. One at the top and one on the side. Try the cruise with the headlights on without the switch connected. Also try everything else. Of course you probably won't see have your turns or your brake lights come on because this opens those circuits.

wrestlerguy04 · #12 09-07-2011, 08:17 AM

This multifunction switch upu speak of..where is it located? The blinker switch?

wrestlerguy04 · #13 09-07-2011, 08:18 AM

This multifunction switch upu speak of..where is it located? The blinker switch?

sheltonfilms · #14 09-07-2011, 11:22 AM

Yeah the turn signal switch. Just remove the three phillips screws at the bottom of the steering column shroud and remove the shroud and you should see the connectors.