Cruise Control Switch Replacement 1998 - 2002 Ford Explorer or Ranger

CLICK "SHOW MORE" for information to do this job.
Required Part: amzn.to/2dYxKKQ
Required Tools:
Flat blade screw driver
Phillips screw driver
8mm socket and short extention
Needle nose pliers
Steps:
1. Disconnect the positive battery terminal using the 8mm socket. Wait at least 30 minutes to de-energize the airbag transister to avoid accidental deployment.
2. Remove the round plastic plugs on each side of the steering wheel with a flat blade.
3. Once you have the plugs removed you will see a bolt on each side of the steering wheel. Use the 8mm socket and remove the two bolts. These bolts hold the air bag in. Pull the air bag out and just set it on top of your steering wheel. You will have just enough wire to do that.
4. Now that every thing is in the open, use the phillips screw driver to remove the screws that hold the cruise control switches on. Each switch is held on with 2 phillips screws. Once the switches are removed, unplug the old harness from the switches. They are a tight fit but just pull straight out using your needle nose pliers. Do NOT pull on the wires! Hold the switch and pull on the harness plug connector. You also need to remove the new harness plug from your new switches. Then insert the new switch onto the existing harness plug.
5. Screw the new switches into place, and put the airbag back in place, tighten the bolts on the side in place, and replace the plastic caps. Approximate time: 15-20 minutes.

[@NewYorkCityBoxing]

The two of you get an A+ on this project -- well done!

[@gregsreelrevival]

Perfect video! I paid 47 dollars for the on/off switch and had it replaced in maybe 15 minutes at the max! Thank you so much. It's nice to have great references when doing little projects like this. What I like most is NOT having to pay someone else to do it!

[@Emannylima]

Where did you purchase just the on/off switch?

[@frugalapolis]

EmanOwnsYou

[@frugalapolis]

EmanOwnsYou purchase the button from Amazon using thw direct link in description above where job and tools needed are explained.

[@13Sean3]

Thanks for saving me a big hassle trying to figure it out! The replacemeny works perfectly and the removal and replacement of the horn/airbag was really easy.

[@katzkatcher]

After 5 years of putting up with old busted switches ,I had priced new ones at the dealer ..400 bux ! Found a set on Amazon for 27 bux and they work good so far.

[@TylerTheTaboo]

How're they holding up now? Been needin' to replace mine on my '01 explorer sport for some time.

[@katzkatcher]

@@TylerTheTaboo They work great . I wish i would have put them on long before when i did..

[@kidwave1]

@@katzkatcher Do you have a part #, or a link to the ones you bought? TY

[@katzkatcher]

@@kidwave1 I tried to find the one i bought but amazon will not let me go back that far. I typed in cruse control for 2000Ranger and yeah theres a bunch to choose from. good luck!

[@kee93iLy]

This video helped me to save a lot of money!! I did this just last night to get rid of those ugly melted away buttons and the new ones look so good now. Thanks for the video !!

[@MrBallbearing1969]

This worked Great. It took only 20 minutes. I received a new set of switches ,that had the wiring harness on it already, but I elected to not use the harness, because the old switch was functioning fine, so I knew it was getting good signals. I just took the harness off of the new switch and replaced the switch only. thanks for the instructions.

[@k9remmy]

Thanks for the help! It took me longer to let the juice die after disconnecting the battery then it did to do the swap. I was prepared for a lot higher degree of difficulty but it was not to be found. Just take it slow and steady and, aside from letting the battery drain, took 15-20 mins max. Thanks again to you and the others for the info on this simple fix!

[@jasonmcpeak1335]

pull the battery negative connection first, you do not want an airbag going off while removing it. make sure no one is in the drivers seat when you reconnect the battery in case you shorted something so you don't have it go off suddenly

[@keithandtammywetter5267]

Great video because it shows you don't need to tear apart the steering wheel to replace the cabling if only the buttons are bad. Very easy to just replace the buttons. Just be sure you're careful disconnecting the cables to not damage them.

[@danielkeller3228]

Thanks for video helped a lot. Just replaced my switches on 2000 explorer.

[@vinny3725]

wow, I've got a 2000 ford explorer with only a hundred thousand miles on it in new condition but the buttons; with the same problem, I was going to order the part after watching another video, but I was going to wait, because the other video that I watched revealed removing the stirring wheel to change the wires too, but this is a lot faster with the plug and play, I'll order them now, thanks for posting, I never thought to do it that way. thanks

[@RadhadaniteBabylonian]

FIRST STEP IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES AND LET THE JUICE DRAIN OUT OF SYSTEM, BETWEEN 30-60 MINUTES, BEFORE WORKING ON THE STEERING WHEEL. YOU DO NOT WANT THE AIRBAG GOING OFF IN YOUR FACE!

[@MyWorld-sy9el]

It's says later, to disconnect and wait the battery terminal. Nice job both of you.

[@brucewilliams6292]

Thank you so much for putting this together!! Well done!

[@albertitusblasco6692]

Thanks.Your video was perfect.I was able to change the switches for my Ford Explorer XLT 1997-V6.( I used motorcraft SW5919).The more challenge job was to remove the harness from the switches ( old and new)

[@peterc9800]

I got over my fear of the airbag issue. Disconnected the battery, pulled two airbag fuses and proceeded after waiting a few hours. Otherwise, the replacement was a snap...just as shown in this video. Thanks.

[@jamiet3267]

Peter Captain do you have to disconnect the battery and pull airbag fuses?

[@Immanifest11]

Thanks for the great video! Parts came in and Im ready to go - (Ford Explorer sport 2001)

[@Emannylima]

How did It go with the cruise control installation? We have the same car

[@Immanifest11]

Great!

[@txtermm]

Thanks for making this video, made it an easy job.

[@dmanster]

Great video. Do you have the part numbers for the two cruise control switches for a 1999 Ford Explorer? Thanks

[@rennkitllc6800]

nicely done! thanks - now I can go do my switches with confidence.

[@mr.ashley8075]

WOW You kinda scared me with the airbag removal!!! Did you remove the negative battery terminal or did you take out the fuse for safety??

[@frugalapolis]

Disconnect battery the eve before. See instructions before performing this job.

[@johnguilfoyle3073]

Every video I see has the same issue, struggling to unplug the ribbon connector from the switch. You must be very careful pulling out the plug. When you're tearing apart the old switch while it is still attached to the steering wheel, it is easier to break out the circuit board from the inside and push the connector out of its socket rather than risk pulling the ribbon cable out of the connector. On the new switch use the smallest, thinnest screwdriver to pry it out from the L-shaped connector.

[@albertovillafuerte8801]

Do those buttons have lighting like the originals?

[@clack1]

Excellent video and many thanks!

[@Coywolfie]

By disconnecting the battery stop the airbag from snapping your neck?

[@ramblin_man23]

Bizmarck Man you’re taking the fun out of it.

[@roynash]

Well, I've seen better videos but I gave this a like because I was able to get the general idea for how to replace the cruise controls on my Explorer. Thanks! Suggestions: More explanation for what the controls do (mine are destroyed so can't read any symbols on them), and where to buy the part(s) (I saw the Amazon box so I'll look there). Also, please hold the camera steady and don't exceed the focus distances.

[@MaxEGough]

I have now replaced 2 of these; not a hard fix, but seems odd the tabs that secure them are so prone to breaking

[@Scottchmorsco]

gee, you think it might be a good idea to de-energize the airbag before trying to pull the bag from the steering wheel ?

[@churrasjesus6078]

I replaced them but the horn does not work, the same thing happened to someone

[@gitit20x2]

I like this no bullshit right too it... thanks

[@MikeL-FL]

You switches didn’t come with new harnesses? All the ones I’m find do (for my Lightning. Same wheel and switches). I didn’t think you could remove the harness at the switch.

[@paularcher4607]

Of course I had to look at 20 vehicles but I found a perfect set at my local junkyard for $5.50.

[@katzkatcher]

you got off easy... you pull it dinged me 20 .00.... and then they only lasted maybe 6 weeks coz they were as old as the ones i had ..Amazon has em cheap !

[@douglasdailey5998]

Well this is better than taking the steering wheel off and replacing the wiring harnesses.

[@frugalapolis]

The dash light does not light up until after you have turned ON switch and also select the SET ACCEL button on the other side of steering wheel.

[@Montery12]

Paul and Asst: Your video shows that you had no problem removing the Air Bag. Is this correct, as long as you are careful in lifting it up in order to expose the switches to be worked on?

[@frugalapolis]

Montery12 there is no difficulty at all, just make sure you disconnect battery at least an hour before so the airbag doesn't accidently deploy.

[@bryanzinn]

Really should unhook battery before messing with airbag. Safer

[@Montery12]

Paul and Assist: I have no indicator light come on on the dashboard when I push the on button on the switch and therefore I cannot set the cruise control at the desired speed. By the cruiser light not tuning on, is that usually an indication of a bad Cruise Control On/Off/Set Switch?

[@Smalltechguy]

I have a question. did you disconnect the battery prior to removing the connections???

[@frugalapolis]

Paul Govensky yes disconnect positive battery. full instructions to job are in the video notes above.

[@erniellerena]

Thanks for upload.

[@frugalapolis]

Si. Yes this is for steering wheel controls.

[@locomoco2012]

thank you soo much. I was thinking about buying a whole steering wheel.

[@davidsanchez5670]

Como iso para consegir los controles del volante de la explorer?

[@sergiojacquez2277]

Safety first!!! You didn’t mention anything about disconnecting the battery terminals to make sure all power is completely drain from airbags. This video is bad because of misinformation and could injure someone if you don’t disconnect the battery terminals and wait 30 minutes before disassembling the airbags.

[@deangray1823]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@barrya.6212]

ONE SHOULD DISCONNECT BATTERY 30 MINUTES BEFORE HAND TO UNPOWER CAPACITORS TO AVOID ACCIDENTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT .....

[@lostmarbles209]

Are we in for a nasty surprise of the inflating kind?😅

[@spence1121969]

2009 ford ranger cruise control switch

[@freedok]

Thank you!

[@rioalexbrasil]

Does it comes with the internal lighting system?...you know that lits in the dark?

[@AXMEAxelMendez]

en que precio los compro?

[@douglasdailey5998]

You can get new harness and switches on Ebay for 20.00 dollars. I'm not going to pay a high price for the same switches.

[@7Blz]

Thanks !!

[@menom7]

I NEED HELP!!! I bought a BRAND-NEW switch-set (that includes a NEW wiring-harness already plugged INTO both cruise-switches on either side of the steering wheel!!! So I removed the air-bag ( I did NOT disconnect my negative-battery first),and unscrewed BOTH cruise-switches,and removed everything along with it,I THEN installed the NEW switches/wiring-harness,plugged the harness INTO the electrical-outlet in the steering-wheel,and screwed the ground-wire onto the left-switch like it shows in your video,and turned the truck back on,and hit the "ON" button,on the switch and my green "Cruise" Light on the dash,NEVER CAME ON to show my cruise-control was on!?!?! WHAT HAPPENED HERE??? I installed everything JUST like I disconnected everything,in the exact opposite order!!! WHY is my NEW CRUISE Switches NOT WORKING??? HELP!!! Thank-You!!!

[@frugalapolis]

Did you test out your new switch while the vehicle was driving? I know our switch doesnt show any green light or ON indication unless you are driving down the road and then it will light up the icon on the dash.

[@menom7]

Frugalapolis FL Yes I did.I tried the switch BOTH while I was driving it AND while it was parked.On my 2001Ford Ranger,when you hit the "ON" switch,it doesn't matter whether your not moving or driving down the road.The "Cruise" light should light up on the dash regardless of whether or not your moving! Anyway,my light does NOT come on whether I'm moving or not! No Power to it at all.

[@tubeitmark]

+menom7 I am having the same issue as you. Did you ever get this resolved? My cruise light does not come on as well. Thanks- Mark

[@menom7]

+tubeitmark Hi Mark............after fiddling with it,I DID get the cruise-light to come on,ONLY when the Truck is in motion and the cruise has been set already! The second You hit the "Set" button on the cruise,it should IMMEDIATELY come on and STAY on,until You either hit the "off" button on the wheel,or You hit the brake-pedal!!! One thing I found out soon AFTER installing my new cruise-control switches on my truck here? Is that a friend of mine,told me that MOST LIKELY.......it was NOT the cruise-switches that were causing the problems,but the electrical-plug connection that plugs into your Anti-Lock Braking system,located right by your brake-fluid reservoir under the hood,he said most-likely THOSE plugs get dirty/greasy and should be unplugged and have the terminals cleaned thoroughly first,before reinstalling the electrical-plug back onto it!!! After that,re-check your cruise-control while driving it. See if it "sets" at the speed You wish it too,and shuts off when you hit the brake,etc.!!! Either way,since I installed my new cruise-control switches on my steering-wheel AND did a thorough cleaning of the Anti-Lock Brake switch connector near the brake-reservoir,I've never had an issue with it since!!!

[@ginabee]

Darn, the Amazon link no longer works. Anyone else find a good deal on this? The right side of mine snapped off last week!

[@frugalapolis]

Link is fixed, thanks for letting me know.

[@ginabee]

I picked up just the right side piece off eBay for $25. Will disconnect my battery in the morning. Darn airbag makes me anxious! :)

[@toothlessotaku2287]

if someone can help me order the cruise control im from philippines and i can only order it on lazada but theres no for explorer only for ford f150

[@frugalapolis]

That poor little switch just disinigrated due to sun damage. The truck is parked outside its whole life. The switch actually still worked but it was just mushy.

[@rafhafrancko3721]

ALGUIEN ME PUEDE AYUDAR!!!!!!!!!!! YA NO FUNCIONAN DESDE HACE TIEMPO, EN LA COMPUTADORA SOLO MARCAN CENSORES DE OXIGENO Y VALULA EGR NO SE SI TENGA QUE VER ESO

[@elcompacheco5296]

thanks a lot

[@YazminDHdz13]

:P

[@briantongue1866]

Wow, 240,000 views and you are removing the airbag without disconnecting the battery and letting the vehicle sit for at least a half hour prior to removing the airbag? How irresponsible! At least update this so you can inform people of the safe and proper procedures to replacing the parts you are working on, someone could get hurt very badly following your methods.

[@frugalapolis]

green

[@roachguyx]

What color are the lights on this one? Green or Blue?

[@jackuff8805]

What the hell happened to that Cruise control switch!?

[@davidsanchez5670]

Quisiera remplasarlos

[@frugalapolis]

Replace 1998 - 2002 Ford Explorer Cruise Control …: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH_Wgn6Yor-Zn8k

[@hobohound8310]

1998 ford explorer, don't replace your cruise control switches, wast of money, fix the ones you have for less than $2.00 , remove switches, with care take off the so call leather and what's look like candle wax, find a real soft piece of leather, i used an old camera case, cut leather to fit over the switches, glue leather on over switches, and there ya' go,, save your self $100.00, take about 30 minutes, hobo,

[@tomleff5066]

+Hobo Hound great Idea with the camera case. I have the same issue. I think I'll try the "leather" on an eyeglass case as it's a bit more supple

[@hobohound8310]

+Tom Leff The leather need's to be real soft , when you glue it down over your on and off buttons , you can see each one of the buttons,, the leather and glue may be $2,00, saved about $100,00 my cruise controll work's just fine, good luck,

[@damianarce4282]

Ce le podria poner a un ford ka 1998

[@null2846]

what the hell even happened to them? lmao it looks like someone torched them

[@casualchaos1]

Either she has hairy arms or she is just doing the narration. :D

[@SouthernTwitch]

NEVER......EVER do anything to a vehicle electrically without disconnecting the battery FIRST... ESPECIALLY the airbag... you're lucky you're not dead

[@frugalapolis]

SouthernTwitch the first step in video instructions is to disconnect battery.

[@mikoajbosch7858]

Could you please tell me - should these cruise control switches have any backlight (if yes, in mine it doesn't seem to work, therefore my question)?