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Topic: 1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?! (Read 2270 times) previous topic - next topic

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Hey everybody - Please excuse the long post, but please read!

As some of you know, I am planning on driving my '97 Cougar to CatJam this year.

To get her ready for the trip, I have recently been fixing her up with new shocks & struts/tires/alignment (all these things were past due anyway...), and even had the windows (re)tinted, fresh oil & filter, recent state safety inspection, everything was checking out great...

The symptoms:
  • Starting a few months ago, when turning on RIGHT blinker, the flasher unit would click extra fast, but not indicate (light) on the console...SOMETIMES. I figured bad bulb, but put off looking into it. :hick:
  • A couple months ago, the right blinker problem got freaky on me when turning on the right blinker would CANCEL the cruise, similar to tapping on the brake pedal. I had the guys at my favorite garage (please do not laugh at me) check into this a couple months ago when in for inspection. They said they changed a bad bulb at that time. Problem seemed to be gone - blinker and cruise working normally again. They admitted to having no clue as to why it would have been cancelling the cruise, and that they did not look into it at that time. It seemed to have "magically" corrected itself, so I accepted that and have been keeping my fingers crossed...
  • The fast clicking/blinker indicator on dash not lighting problem retured a few weeks ago, again intermittently.
  • TODAY - the Big Weird part - I lose blinkers completely (nothing happens when you move the switch for right OR left) AND I totally lose cruise control - can't get it to even turn on!


My steps so far: I have visually inspected all fuses both under dash and in fuse box under the hood. All APPEAR o.k. (I do not have electrical troubleshooting tools, or really the knowledge to use them.)

Also - when pressing on brakes ONLY the CENTER, High-Mounted lamp built into the decklid wing lights up - the two outer lights (which are also the blinker bulbs) do NOT come on.

I considered a new flasher unit, but have not bought it, because I do not see how that would be affecting the cruise at all, and did not want to just throw away $10.00 on a new one if I don't need to.

I have considered the "multi function" switch (blinkers and wipers) but again don't see how that would affect the cruise, as those controls are separate on the steering wheel. That switch is $50-something dollars from O'Reilly's. (I did go ahead and order one as it is not a part they keep in stock...JUST IN CASE I don't figure this out with you guys' help, and have to take it in to the garage Monday morning, and just in case they DO need it, I will not have to wait for it! Manager at O'Reilly's said they'd just keep it when it comes in in case my garage determines it is needed - otherwise they are not making me purchase it now. That was nice of him!)

I have also considered the brake light switch (that mounts down on the brake pedal). That might explain the cruise contol no turning on...but would it explain the no blinkers, or why the middle brake light does come on but not the outer brake lights?

I am SO confused, but am hoping that perhaps this exact problem has happend to another member, and they can point me in the direction of a simple fix. If it is not something simple, I have already made my appointment at M&T Garage for 7:00 Monday morning. :hick:

If they can't find & correct the problem Monday, I am then usure what I am going to do for CatJam. As some of you know, it is about a 1,500 mile journey for me from the Houston area to Youngstown, OH.

ANY SUGGESTIONS GREATLY GREATLY APPRECIATED - I WILL BE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE FOR RESPONSES THIS WEEKEND! :D

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #1 –
I'd still put a bet on that multifunction switch. You might also want to drop the lower dash panels and column cover and make sure the wiring harness coming up the column isn't melted, burned, chaffed or pinched
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #2 –
I did some searching over on the TCCoA forums for similar problems, and the multifunction switch was mentioned as a possible culprit by a couple members. Unfortunately, neither of the threads about similar problems were ever resolved. At least, the original persons with the problems never reported back with a final outcome, if any.:shakehead

I'm gunna crack out the service manuals for the '97 here in a little while and start reading up on removal/installation instructions for the switches, and also check out some of the troubleshooting charts for the cruise, blinkers, and brake lights, to see if they might possibly share a common "source" for the failures.

I will definitley inspect any wiring in the column that I can get to tomorrow.

Thanks for the suggestions, Thunder Chicken.

Still open to input from anyone else with insight!

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #3 –
Royce,

When I bought my '96, the turn signal would often fail to operate. All of the bulbs were good.
I removed the MFS and took it apart to clean the contacts. I've had perfectly operating turn signals and cruise control ever since, and I've put 20,000 miles on that switch after cleaning it.
Pull your switch and take it apart. Disconnect the battery first, of course. You are working in front of the airbag.
Taking the switch apart isn't too bad of a job; just be careful where the small parts go when assembling it.
Clean the contacts with a soft emery cloth (Scotch Brite?) and use some dielectric grease on them.
I'm willing to bet that's the problem.

EDIT: On the Fox cars, don't the brake lights operate through the MFS? I'm thinking Ford may have carried that setup into the MN12 cars.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #4 –
Been sitting here studying cassidy's '87 EVTSM.

1. The "high mount" center stop lamp does not use the multi-function switch. The brake pedal switch turns it on. So the pedal switch is working.

2. The brake pedal switch, turn signals and hazard flasher all use the multi-function switch to get to the lower brake lights. For both sides to be failing, two seperate contacts in the M/F switch must be bad.

3. The cruise control is less clear but here is how it looks to me.
The brake pedal switch applies 12 volts to an input on the speed control amplifier to turn off cruise.
On cars with a clutch this 12 volts from the brake switch goes through a clutch operated switch that is closed when the clutch
is not pushed.
So when the brake is not pushed this input to the speed control amplifer is hooked to ground through the clutch switch,(if you have a clutch), the multi-function switch and the brake light filaments.
Opening this connection to ground will also turn off cruise.

So the multi-function switch is the common denominator.

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #5 –
Quote from: cougarcragar;162288
EDIT: On the Fox cars, don't the brake lights operate through the MFS? I'm thinking Ford may have carried that setup into the MN12 cars.

That is the case on any car that uses a common bulb for the stop/turn lights. If you've got two separate bulbs (one for stop, one for turn - usually the turn has an amber lens) the brake lights are connected directly to the brake light switch, but on our setups the current must pass through the turn signal switch.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #6 –
Well, after a little "fiddling around" with the hazard switch, I am glad to report that the mystery problem seems to have been solved (well, found anyway, maybe not solved yet as I still have to repair the problem).

Just a little playing with the hazard swsitch found them not to be functioning properly (not wanting to work when turned on). Some repeated use of the switch has seemed to improve its operability, as well as restoring the operation of the cruise control and blinkers! :D The right blinkers are still a little touchy, but everything else seems to be back to normal.

I had a busy day, and as usual did not get all accomplished that I wished to. I plan on going ahead and picking up the MFS that I have already ordered from O'Reilly's (auto parts store) tomorrw and changing it out.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who helped with their suggestions and helpful information. This is what makes the forums to great! Thanks!

I will try to update later after I replace (or maybe repair/rebuild) the MFS. Thanks again! ;)

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #7 –
I believe the hazard switch is part of the MFS - it's one of its "multifunctions" :D
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #8 –
Multifunction switch is the way to go.
-John Fordham
 
1993 Cougar XR7 302 HO AOD
245,000 miles and still running strong

2005 F-150 FX4 SuperCab 5.4L

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #9 –
(royce) this is mercury-man did the mfs take care of your problem if not please let me know. met you at cjam 85 (cougar ls) black w/coachlamps experiencing some electrical issues.

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #10 –
mercury-man- I am sorry to say I have not actually fixed it yet! Had no time before heading out on the CatJam trip...then had too much to do at the Jam to look at it . :cheers:  (As it was working "okay enough" to get by I did not worry about it).

I will be tackling it in the near future, and will be sure to post here my results with the repair.

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #11 –
royce 67/87/97- did at anytime while driving any other features go out mercury-man

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #12 –
Royce:  Your best bet is to just replace the MFS.  Not hard to do, its just a couple of screws and wiring clips.  I replaced the one in my 93 when it started to release smoke from the steering column...
-John Fordham
 
1993 Cougar XR7 302 HO AOD
245,000 miles and still running strong

2005 F-150 FX4 SuperCab 5.4L
 

1)Blinkers 2)Cruise 3)Brake lights HELP!?!

Reply #13 –
it's easy enough to replace but if your tight on the cash pull it apart sand /clean the metal contacts throw some electrical grease on it put back together.