How can I determine if steering wheel controls work?

mexicanjoe

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2018
Posts
267
Reaction score
202
Location
texas
Guys Ive been trying to fix my cruise control on my '89 F-250... I have vacuum to the servo/actuator however i cant get the thing to "stay". Ive looked at my fuses, wires and hoses and still NADA! anybody have any hacks I can use to trouble shoot?
Thanks......... su amigo : Mexicanjoe!
 

79jasper

Chickenhawk
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Posts
17,367
Reaction score
1,930
Location
Collinsville, Oklahoma
Search around, should be able to find the resistance values.
Could be the clock spring.
Horn work?
Third brake light?
There's also a relay buried behind the dash.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

YJMike92

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Posts
608
Reaction score
329
Location
NW Arkansas
If the horn doesn't work the clockspring would be my first guess. You might try using your foot to pull the brake and clutch pedal up while trying to set the cruise. Some times the switches get out of adjustment and the cruise thinks your foot is on the pedal. I probably have some troubleshooting info somewhere. I can't look now
 

renjaminfrankln

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Posts
583
Reaction score
322
Location
Raleigh NC
I'm trying to get mine working. I found the troubleshooting tips in the tech section. But I want to check the really common problems before I pull out the fluke and start reading ohms and stuff.

Nothing happens when I push "on" on the steering wheel. I expected a dash light or something. If I push on and then set, nothing happens.

My clutch/starter interlock and the brake light switch both work normally.
Horn works.

So I need to check for a burned out 3rd brakelight and also for a blown fuse. Anything else?

Going on the first road trip since I bought it a year ago this weekend. Not far just about an hour and a half each way. Going to visit the in-laws and try to fix my father in law's duramax (LLY, I think it has a chafed injector harness).
 

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
No third brake light on a bricknose, pull the insert off the steering wheel (two screws on backside of the wheel) and double check the wiring, and clean the contacts. That fixes the majority of the electrical issues with the older vacuum system.
 

YJMike92

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Posts
608
Reaction score
329
Location
NW Arkansas
Nothing happens when I push "on" on the steering wheel. I expected a dash light or something. If I push on and then set, nothing happens.

I have two trucks a 93 and a 94. Neither truck has any cruise lights. No light when the on switch is pushed or when the cruise is set.
 

renjaminfrankln

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Posts
583
Reaction score
322
Location
Raleigh NC
Thanks for the info guys. I do have a 3rd brakelight up on top of the cab, not sure if it works or not.
 

Thewespaul

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2015
Posts
8,796
Reaction score
8,058
Location
Bulverde, Texas
Third brake light wasnt factory till 94, they did have a clear cargo light on top of the cab up till 93, its possible someone added in an aftermarket unit, but Ive only seen that done a few times.
 

79jasper

Chickenhawk
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Posts
17,367
Reaction score
1,930
Location
Collinsville, Oklahoma
There's no cruise light. The new body style half tons got it in 96.
3/4+ didn't get them until later. 99 maybe?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

chris142

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2012
Posts
3,007
Reaction score
353
Location
SoCal
If you remove the steering wheel there are 2 contacts that rub on the back of it. Mine wore out. I soldered bumps on them and have cruise again
 

Forum statistics

Threads
91,217
Posts
1,128,519
Members
24,045
Latest member
Ramtough01

Members online

No members online now.
Top