Anyone know how to deactivate Ford speed control

[TomT]

A month ago when my wife's 97 Expedition was in the dealers shop for a computer problem they told me the vehicle was not under the recall for the faulty speed controls. Yesterday I got a letter from Ford saying it was being recalled but the replacement switch won't be available for a couple of months. In the meantime they instructed us to take the vehicle in and have the speed control deactivated. Neither of us have the time to go sit at the dealer so I was wondering if anyone knew a simple way to to this. I figure I will probably be doing the same to my 02 Trac before long. Even though it's not supposed to have the same problem, Ford denied for a long time our 97 Exp had the bad control, so I really don't trust Ford anymore. Since I rarely use it anyway, I figure I will just deactivate them and forget about them.

 

[Wayne Foy]

Under the hood, drivers side, the "Speed Control Module" is the cruise control module. Its a very big plug, approx 8 wires, and its right next to the underhood relay/fuse box. Just unplug that, its the same thing the dealer will do until they get the parts in November.

 

[EddieS'04]

There is a fitting with two wires on a plug screwed into your brakes master cylinder. Unplug the wires and tape them up. that is the hot wire deactivation pressure switch that is bad, and might start a fire. If you do a search, I remember someone posting a photo of it a few months ago....

 

[ReggieMRegalOne05 Legaspi]

Fast Eddie, that method will probably just isolate the bad switch, thus removing the function of turning off the CC when you apply brakes and IMHO, would be dangerous since the CC is still activated. Tom T may give it a try and see if the system will activate with the brake switch unplugged.

 

[Fred]

I really don't know this, but I would think/hope that the switch on the M/Cyl is a normally closed switch that opens when the brakes are applied. If this is the case, then disconnecting it will make the cruise think the brakes are applied all the time, disabling the function of the cruise.



But again, I really don't know. :lol:

 

[Eric Pennal]

This thread should give you all the information you need. The new switch only takes about 15 minutes to replace, and is very easy to do. The $17 you'll save with the recall repair isn't worth the time and effort you'll spend at the dealer, IMO. It's better to do it yourself.

 

[EddieS'04]

regal one



The info I gave is exactly what the ford dealer will do. It gets the hot wire off of the device that starts the fires.....

 

[TomT]

Thanks. Since I rarely use cruise control unless I'm on a long trip, I will just unplug it and not worry about it. Mainly the wife's Exp I'm worried about. I dropped all but liability insurance on it and it's parked in the garage. The Trac can burn. At least after the 07's come out.

 

[ReggieMRegalOne05 Legaspi]

Glad to know that Fast One, in case someone around here need the info.

 

[Fer Echegaray]

EricP:



Thank you!

I was told <b>twice</b> by the dealer that my ST did not need to be recalled, even thought the switch installed is the affected red one, so I went to the parts dept today and bought the new switch.



Better safe than sorry.

 

[Andy Szkutak]

Are any of our tracs part of this recall?? Mine's a 2001 Job 1, is that a bad cruise control switch?



Thanks

Andy

 

[Fer Echegaray]

Andy



You could check with your dealer, use your VIN #.

If it's a '01 it might be in their list, mine is an '02 and it wasn't, but I will replace the switch myself.

 

[TomT]

Don't go by what your dealer says. I was told twice by my dealer that my Expedition's switch was not one of the ones recalled then I got the letter from Ford yesterday.