2004 Mercury Marauder Logo
Posted on Oct 26, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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My steering wheel controls quit working. On inspection I found were a wire had been chewed into by a chipmonk.. It cut the wire off right at the plug.. I can splice the one end of the wire bnut im at a loss at conecting it again at the plug.. Plus I hope it was just the one wire .. it all I could find that was cut into. Will the one wirs cause no radio control, no cruse , no heater , no horn this wire is a red wird that goes into a small box that looks like it mite control the cruse control.

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  • Posted on Oct 26, 2009
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Joined: Jul 24, 2009
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While I do not have a wiring diagram, that wire may provide power to a computer that controls all of the steering wheel controls. So, it's possible. Not sure of how probably.

I'd probably try to temporarily jury-rig the connection, test the controls to determine if you have a bigger problem, then sadly, look at replacing the entire harness or at least splice a new connector into the wiring. Not sure what level of parts Ford will sell you.

Also, may want to check the fuses (suspect if you traced wires, you already did this) in case a blown fuse is causing the loss of multiple systems.

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0helpful
1answer

Radio works perfectly on dash but lntermitant on steering wheel swltches

1st if the buttons are hard to press then the button pad on the steering is at fault.
2nd the steering controls are directly connected to the head unit by a hard wired loom.
A loom would get tangled as the steering wheel is turned thats why a disc with a ribbon cable is fitted between the steering wheel and column its possible the slide contacts are dirty or worn out.
To inspect that disc the airbag and steering wheel must be removed.
Be very carefull when handling the airbag.
0helpful
1answer

My horn isn't working on a Chevy equinox but it's a new horn. What could be wrong with it..and my cruise control don't qork. Is it my steering wheel?

Was Cruise Control working before the New Horn was installed? The power supply to the Horn, (input to ground wire) is connected to the Cruise Control Module (CCM). This CCM is wired to the Relay Switch Box located in the Engine Bay. The Relay Box cover will have a Chart indicating what function each Relay coresponds to. Your local autoparts store (AutoZone) can test the Relay Switch, and you'll know (if any Relay) need to be replaced.

The CCM is also wired to the Steering Wheel, but first passes through the Clock Spring Coil, located just behind the Steering Wheel. The Clock Spring allowes for the Function Buttons on the Steering Wheel to have power while Steering Wheel spins.

The Clock Spring can malfunction or break, its rare, but this will cut power to the Function Buttons on Steering Wheel. If ALL the buttons on Steering Wheel dont work, then the Clock Spring is the Culprit. The Coil may need to be replaced.

The Cruise Control Module itself may have failed and also would cause a few or all Steering Wheel Functions to quit working.

But first check the Relay Switch Box and examine the Harness Cables connecting (Steering Wheel--to--CCM--to--Relay Switch Box--to--Battery Supply).

Also if Cruise Control was working before the new Horn was installed and now not working, then most likely the Problem is a bad wire connection somewhere and/or is a faulty Relay.

(Any Questions/comments [email protected])
0helpful
1answer

Why is airbag light on and my horn nor cruise control is not working now with my 2004 dodge intrepid

There are wires that run from under the dash, up the steering column to the steering wheel. They flex when the wheel turns. This wire harness is called a clock spring. When it breaks, everything connected to it in the steering wheel quits. They are about 180 USD
2helpful
2answers

Purchased focus sport 2006 model no service manual. Mileage 43,000 kms. Need to know service intervals either time/mileage perhaps a copy of the service schedule will suffice.

These maintenance intervals come from the maintenance interval calculator
at www.autozone.com, using a starting point of 25,800 miles (43000 km), and
assuming 1000 miles (1666 km) driven per month, and "severe driving conditions," which
are actually normal usage characteristics, such as frequent short trips, urban driving, waiting in traffic, driving in hot weather, trips under 16 km in cold weather, etc.

STARTING MILEAGE: 25800 (43,000 Kilometers)
Item
Action
Service History

20000 miles or 32000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


21000 miles or 33600 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


24000 miles or 38400 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


25000 miles or 40000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


27000 miles or 43200 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


30000 miles or 48000 kilometers

Battery Check
Air Filter Element Check
Wheel Bearing Lubricate
Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Fuel Filter Replace
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Fluid - A/T Replace
Cabin Air Filter Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Cooling System Inspect
Wheel Bearing Inspect
Ball Joint Inspect
Drive/Propeller Shaft Inspect
Exhaust System Inspect
Steering and Suspension Inspect
Heat Shield, Exhaust Inspect
Tires Rotate


33000 miles or 52800 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


35000 miles or 56000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


36000 miles or 57600 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


39000 miles or 62400 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


40000 miles or 64000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate



42000 miles or 67200 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


45000 miles or 72000 kilometers

Battery Check
Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Fuel Filter Replace
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Cabin Air Filter Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Cooling System Inspect
Wheel Bearing Inspect
Ball Joint Inspect
Drive/Propeller Shaft Inspect
Steering and Suspension Inspect
Tires Rotate


48000 miles or 76800 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


50000 miles or 80000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


51000 miles or 81600 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


54000 miles or 86400 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


55000 miles or 88000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


57000 miles or 91200 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


60000 miles or 96000 kilometers

Battery Check
Air Filter Element Check
Wheel Bearing Lubricate
Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Fuel Filter Replace
Spark Plug Replace
Fluid Filter - A/T Replace
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Fluid - A/T Replace
Cabin Air Filter Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Cooling System Inspect
Wheel Bearing Inspect
Ball Joint Inspect
Drive/Propeller Shaft Inspect
Exhaust System Inspect
Steering and Suspension Inspect
Heat Shield, Exhaust Inspect
Tires Rotate


63000 miles or 100800 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


65000 miles or 104000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


66000 miles or 105600 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


69000 miles or 110400 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


70000 miles or 112000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate


72000 miles or 115200 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


75000 miles or 120000 kilometers

Battery Check
Air Filter Element Check
Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Fuel Filter Replace
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Cabin Air Filter Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Cooling System Inspect
Wheel Bearing Inspect
Ball Joint Inspect
Drive/Propeller Shaft Inspect
Steering and Suspension Inspect
Tires Rotate


78000 miles or 124800 kilometers

Steering and Suspension Lubricate
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace


80000 miles or 128000 kilometers

Battery Check
Oil Filter, Engine Replace
Engine Oil Replace
Vehicle Inspect
Brakes and Traction Control Inspect
Tires Rotate



And you can continue the pattern from there...
5helpful
2answers

Air bag light on in dash cruise control quit working and horn also quit working all three things at the same time

These problems are all due to a defective rotating ribbon contact that breaks under the steering wheel thios part connects the airbag and horn and cruise to the wiring harness. This part is called the clock-spring contact, a coiled up ribbon electrical contact that turns with the steering wheel while maintaining a mechanical connection to the airbag mounted on the steering wheel, to replace this part you must disarm the airbag system and remove the steering wheel, this requires a special steering wheel puller tool and that you disarm the airbag system before you start the work, to do this disconnect the battery negative cable for 1/2 hour prior.

2helpful
2answers

Engine cuts out when steering wheel tilt is adjusted. Also, cruise control not working.

For the cruise control, check the fuses under the steering wheel. As for the engine cutting out, don't adjust the steering wheel while driving.
0helpful
3answers

The controls on the steering wheel stopped working and the radio doesnt work either

Replace the clock spring under steering wheel, if applicable to your vehicle
4helpful
2answers

The horn and cruise control doesn't work,fuses are

sounds like a bad clockspring. located in steering column under steering wheel, operates airbag, horn cruise etc, it make wire connection possible so the wheel can spin, its a roll of flat wires, that unroll and roll up as steering wheel is truned from left to right,wires break after a while.
0helpful
1answer

All things in dash/steering wheel not correctly working

mice? sounds like the wires may have been chewed on and shorting out.
0helpful
1answer

Steering wheel controls for stereo do not work

Hi,you will probably find that the contact ring( ribbon) behind the steering wheel is at fault as this is quite a common fault,it consists of a printed circuit ribbon that winds and unwinds inside a plastic housing as the steering wheel is turned left and right,and through time the ribbon can become damaged,However as the steering wheel has to be removed to gain access to the ribbon it is highly recommended that all safety precautions are followed due to the airbag module also having to be disconnected and removed to gain access, I did replace my own one a couple of years ago as my SRS light had been activated by the same fault and is relatively easy to replace if you have some mechanical knowledge,Bill.
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