03 ranger cruise control on/off broke

[03fx4ranger]

I couldn't find this anywhere and I looked for quite a while.

I have a 2003 ranger. My cruise control on/off switch broke. It still functions but just dangles from the steering wheel. I have super glued it 4 times and it always breaks again. I can see the mounting screws that holds it to the wheel, but do not have a screwdriver that can get to it. Would have to have a 90 on it and be about 1cm thick to access it.

My question is: How do you remove the center part of the steering wheel. It has an airbag so I didn't want to mess with it too much. The design of the cruise control on this steering wheel is flawed so I am sure it will break again but I need to fix it. Drives me crazy hanging down like that. I do not want to go to the dealer if I don't have to. They will probably charge me $100 in labor plus parts.

Any info / links would be helpful.

 

[Rifleman]

Hi, welcome to TRS!!! < greetings are nice

Have any pics of your truck? Any mods done?

First, disconnect the battery, attach the two cables together somehow that they have a good electrical contact with each other (this will help prevent a static discharge from setting off the airbag).

There should be some small plastic hole covers around the back sides of the steering wheel. Use a small flathead screw driver to pry them out and find a driver to remove the screws hidden under them.

Make sure as you remove the screws you press in on the airbag (as though you are blowing the horn) so it stays in good contact while removing it. Once all screws are removed (should be 4) you can tilt the airbag from it's position and disconnect the wires from the back. Take the airbag and lay it in a safe location with the airbag facing up so if it decides to fire, it's not launching the unit into outer space. That will get you into the inside of the wheel to fix your issue or the clockspring or anything else you need.

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

^^Yup. He's right.

On the '03, it's only two bolts that secure the airbag to the wheel. Takes an 8mm socket to remove those. Two phillips screws secure each pod to the wheel. Be careful on the electrical connectors...they are somewhat fragile. I have destroyed one and had to pull my steering wheel to replace that electrical ribbin....not fun.

And 03fx4ranger...if you need those cruise control pods, but don't want to pay dealership prices...PM me. I've got two sets of cruise pods in perfect condition.

Welcome to the site! And don't be afraid to ask questions!

 

[03fx4ranger]

Thanks for the welcome and the tips. I will check it out today or tomorrow. I will PM you about those pods also.

 

[Rifleman]

Do not work while setting in front of the airbag either. It is only a max of a one in a million chance it will accidently fire as new as it is (most accidental deploys occur with older generation airbags), but either way you do not want injured or anything damaged (which is why you want it laid horn side up/connector side down so it doesn't take flight if it fires). There have been accidental airbag deploys during removal before, typically due to static discharge. Never heard of it happening on a Ranger based vehicle and thousands have been pulled over the years.

To demonstrate the power of airbags and the stupidity of the average man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRp0bqwY5ug


This would hafta suck worse that being stomped on by a hundred sumos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e5cHhCEuuI

 

[03fx4ranger]

Thanks for the tip

 

[AllanD]

I've use an airbag in a junkyard to blow open a collision jammed door.

Wedge the bag between the seat and the door...

The last time I did it it didn't even matter that I didn't unlatch the door
It ripped the striker pin out of the door jamb.

AD

 

[03fx4ranger]

I've use an airbag in a junkyard to blow open a collision jammed door.

Wedge the bag between the seat and the door...

The last time I did it it didn't even matter that I didn't unlatch the door
It ripped the striker pin out of the door jamb.

AD

Thanks not sure what it has to do with my cruise control but useful information

 

[flashesbuck]

well if you ever lock your keys in your car, this is one way to get the door open?

 

[hondaxr650]

Thanks not sure what it has to do with my cruise control but useful information

Nothing to do with your cruise, I think he was trying to give you some idea of what could happen to you if you set the bag off while working on your truck.