electrical gremlins acting out, I have basic questions

[sixsix]

Our cruise quit some time back ( maybe 15 years ). So... one day at the JY - picked up a new 'underhood' cruise actuator.
I had seen this when working on a different unit:

371 Forced the camera into the small opening

Worked on it here:
https://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.p ... 6&#p586946


Did that repair... still does not work. I am / was going to recheck the Vacuum lines just to be sure.
If that all checks out - then it is on to R & R on the multi-function stalk / switch assy. on the steering column.

There are quite a few good instruction sets for Gen I on the site here.
Finding a proven good one might be tough.

[augidog]

Our cruise quit some time back ( maybe 15 years ). So...

There are quite a few good instruction sets for Gen I on the site here.
Finding a proven good one might be tough.

but, but, I have this version cruise control. whatever "gen" it is, there it is. also note the 2-hose hydroboost reservoir, which my manuals say I don't have.

[sixsix]

A...ha

[Leeann_93]

Is the end of the cruise cable connected to the throttle body?

[augidog]

Is the end of the cruise cable connected to the throttle body?

Leeann, you are an absolute wonder...the chintzy pop-on had popped off. I wasn't actually trouble-shooting cruise, so it didn't dawn on me to have a look.

test drive tomorrow.

[Leeann_93]

If the clip’s not present, use a 5/16” e-clip to hold it on.

[M_a_t_t]

I don't think my 95 had that little clip. It's been awhile though. Or is that just the work around for a broken end?

[Leeann_93]

This is on my ‘00 - the end was different than on my ‘99, so I had to make something work

[augidog]

this is what's left of mine. looks pretty easy to rig up something.

IMG_20200621_202523.jpg (70.61 KiB) Viewed 825 times

[Leeann_93]

Dang, that’s just about gone.

[augidog]

now that I know about the cruise, I'm going to not worry about it right now, I can't really use it on our roads.

on to my original reason for posting...

you've seen enough about my 1995 red-headed step-child to know I can't necessarily assume what my van is supposed to have or not have. seems I recall a year of Ford that had the same half-year parts confusion. one of my books shows the ashtray light as being on the gages fuse, but it doesn't behave as if it is. there's no voltage at the gages fuse with ignition off, so I'll have to trace fuse by fuse.

and, if jiggling connectors "fixes" stuff, then we know this is only the beginning of my potential problems. which leads to the only question I have left for this thread.

after jiggling connectors, I can hear a relay or actuator clicking when I press the brake. I never noticed an audible clicking prior to the jiggling. based on what we know, and I do have the multi-function brake-switch, can anyone tell me what all the switch controls, and can YOU hear a clicking when you press YOUR brake pedal?

[Mmusicman]

..and can YOU hear a clicking when you press YOUR brake pedal?

Wanna hear a crazy story?
So after I got my transmission rebuilt.. I suddenly got a "clicking sound" whenever I hit my brakes.
I assumed something wrong with my brake switch.. even bought a new one (but didn't install).
It however, sounded more like a relay clicking.. which was probably what was happening.

Turns out the crazy cause of my clicking problem was the "range mode selector switch" on the side of my transmission (also known as neutral safety switch). The wiring had become brittle from heat and was shorting out.. confusing the controller into not knowing what gear I was in (wiring was disturbed when the trans was pulled). Replacing the wiring and switch literally fixed my "brake clicking" under the dash problem. True story! (also fixed the shifting issue that it was supposed to fix..lol)

I have no idea why and how the two are related!

[M_a_t_t]

My 95 is not a conversion, it does click when I press the brake pedal though. I don't have any electrical issues though so I never looked into it.

[Leeann_93]

Yep, it clicks. Turns off cruise if you have it on and set, turns on the brake lights.

[augidog]

I knew the b/switch affects cruise, along with drive lockout and brake lights, what I needed to know is if the relay sound was to be expected. beautiful feedback, thanks folks! looks like jiggling and reseating connectors did fix something. if ever cruise is something I want, I figure some mechanics wire will make a decent retainer for the cable.