My 97 F150 4.6 dropped all of it dashboard functions (all dash light, warning lights, gauges, spedo, etc.) including the autolamps a few years ago. The Ford dealer took about $300 and did not resolve the problem.

There is a 5 amp fuse, that controls a relay, that powers all the listed components. I could replace the fuse and everything would work for a few days and then blow again. As it became more frequent, I noticed that it actually blew when I was putting my truck in reverse to back out. A local shade tree mechanic pulled my steering wheel and column covers found a wire draped across the rod that goes to the transmission linkage. The insulation on that wire had worn and shorted. the mechanic just taped over the bare spot and put it back together.

3 years later I am about to try to remedy it myself.

I have not pulled a wheel off a truck with airbags before. I know I will need to kill the battery obviously, but are there any caveats about pulling / handling the airbag assembly and can anyone brief me on the basic sequence for pulling the steering wheel?

Thanks, Carver

 

Do you have a shop manual for your truck? It would be a good investment.

 

First and for most, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. There are probably screws on the back of the air bag that attach to the steering wheel. To remove the steering wheel there is probably a nut right behind the air bag that connects the wheel to the column. You are supposed to use a puller to remove the steering wheel but you can just rip and tear at it and it will probably come off of, if you are gonna use the pull method you should put the nut back on a couple threads so you don't rip it off and smack yourself in the chest with it, also with the pull method you have to really rip and pull at it but it will come off.

This is the method I used on my 98 escort zx2 and worked well I don't know if the f150 is the same I'm just assuming its similar.

 

wait about 15mins after disconnecting both battery terminal because the air bag has a extra power source in the dash it will discharge in about 15mins then it is safe to remove it.

 

There should be two bolts behind the steering wheel (that's how my 03 is anyway).
Remover the 2 bolts,lift the airbag and reach in and unplug the wire to it.
Very simple!
Then go about removing the steering wheel.

Phil

 

Airbag wiring in the steering column is YELLOW coated!

 

WHOA! PUT DOWN THE TOOLS!

There is no need to pull the airbag or the steering wheel to fix the affected wiring (OD switch). Depending on how the wiring fails, it may blow fuse under-dash fuse F29 which also takes out the auto-lamps and the cluster.

Just pull the lower and upper column shrouds and leave the airbag alone. To remove the upper shroud, remove the lower one first, then disconnect the battery, remove the ignition cylinder, and work off the upper cover. Inspect the wiring where it exits the shift lever and then runs to the column harness.

Steve

 

Thanks Guys ! all good info. I have the Clymers manual, but it is pretty basic and I figured a bunch like you could fill in more than a few important blanks. I was right

I am going to give it a go this afternoon if the rain stops. I'll try pulling the shrouds first, that option has my hopes up. Thanks !


I'll do another thread later about the very large leak at the top of my back glass that was not helped with silicon sealant.


thanks again.

 

My truck kinda had this problem. My A/C fuse (#5) kept blowing when I went into reverse. A few months ago I had my stealership replace my clutch and flywheel. When I got it back, my A/C worked. I guess he found the wire and taped it up.

 

...uh, COMPLETELY different circuits, doesn't really apply..... especially since you have a manual and this thread is about an automatic-equipped truck.

 

it's actually a torx head bolt, not a nut, that holds the steering wheel on