Decent Auto-Electrician near Frankston? (Fairmont 2001)

GhiaGrifter · 06-03-2008, 12:55 PM

Hi all, The Dok suggested this was a better area for my question so reposting here.

Have a 2001 Tickford Fairmont with 2 electronic problems, one small one big.

Small:
LCD aircon display is intermittent
Update: http://www.geocities.com/liquidxtal/index.html seem to be the fixers for this.

Big:
Cruise control has stopped working! The stalk rotation-switch still brings it on, but the Set buttons fail to operate altogether. I miss my Cruise!
(And I busted the @(*$&@#'ing plastic switch panel loose by pressing it too hard!)

I live in Frankston - does anybody know of a non-crrap Auto Electricians out that way?

I really, really, really don't want to take it to Ford if I don't have to!

Also apparently I can get the switch and fit it myself (or get a sparky to do it) - but I have never sourced Ford parts myself, are there any how-tos or starting points people can give me? (Yes I'll go do a search on this site now).

Cheers!
Jon

Dauphin · 06-03-2008, 01:37 PM

Check your brake lights - are both working? If one is out, it will disable cruise control.

Also check the cruise control fuse (make sure you disconnect the battery first and have your stereo PIN handy to unlock it afterwards).

TwistedEL · 06-03-2008, 02:42 PM

Also make sure the horn works. If the relay is burnt out or removed the cruise is disabled.

lukey · 06-03-2008, 03:11 PM

I had the same problem with my cruise control and my mechanic's auto elec fixed it, was just some stuffed/loose relays. My mechanic's G&S Vella in Keyzy 9701 5688, his name's Geoff.

GhiaGrifter · 07-03-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauphin

Check your brake lights - are both working? If one is out, it will disable cruise control.

Also check the cruise control fuse (make sure you disconnect the battery first and have your stereo PIN handy to unlock it afterwards).

Well bugger me, replaced brake lights this morning and yay I have Cruise back!
I love my Cruise.

What a bizarre bug - I've seen a few threads on these forums now with the same problem in the AU's.

Now I just have to fix the switch, its usable but busted off, talking to people now about sourcing a replacement one and reading the steering wheel instrument replacement tech entries on here (the bit about disarming the airbag is something I'm VERY glad I read first!).

Thanks all for your input, much appreciated!

Jon

GhiaGrifter · 07-03-2008, 01:24 PM

Just adding a subscription in case any followups.

Dauphin · 07-03-2008, 01:51 PM

Good to hear it's all fixed.

Is it one switch or the whole panel with three switches that broke off? Can a bit of good superglue be used to put it in place? Don't think it'd interfere with the airbag? Anyone?

They come up on eBay from time to time.

GhiaGrifter · 07-03-2008, 02:27 PM

All 3 !

Taken a bit of a look at it but I'm not sure supergluing it would have the strength, its a bit of a silly design, flat piece of plastic takes a fair bit of right-angles force. Should have been metal backed IMO.

_Might_ be able to put a backing plate in, but will have to get an engy mate to knock one up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dauphin

Good to hear it's all fixed.

Is it one switch or the whole panel with three switches that broke off? Can a bit of good superglue be used to put it in place? Don't think it'd interfere with the airbag? Anyone?

They come up on eBay from time to time.

TwistedEL · 08-03-2008, 01:15 AM

I got a set of switches off ebay last week for $50 + post, was the only one to bid.