Section 11-05: Steering Column Switches
1994 Mustang Workshop Manual
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

Pinpoint Tests

  

PINPOINT TEST A: HIGH KEY EFFORT REQUIRED

 

A1 CHECK LUBE ON ACTUATOR

Yes
GO to A2.

No
Lubricate actuator.
Do not apply inside ignition switch .

 

A2 CHECK IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER

Yes
SERVICE or REPLACE ignition switch lock cylinder . RETEST key effort.

No
GO to A3.

 

A3 CHECK STEERING COLUMN SHROUD

  • Check steering column shroud for binding and sticking that causes rubbing against ignition switch lock cylinder .
  • Does steering column shroud rub against ignition switch lock cylinder ?
Yes
REMOVE binding materials causing rubbing. If misaligned or damaged, replace the damaged component. RETEST key effort.

No
GO to A4.

 

A4 CHECK RACK AND PINION ACTUATOR

  • Check for burrs or foreign material around rack and pinion actuator in lock cylinder housing .
  • Does rack and pinion actuator have burrs or foreign material?
Yes
REMOVE burrs or foreign material. If damaged, replace necessary component(s).

No
REPLACE ignition switch .

  

PINPOINT TEST B: TURN SIGNAL AND WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH DOES NOT OPERATE

 

B1 CHECK TURN SIGNAL LEVER POSITIONS

  • Turn ignition switch to RUN position.
  • Check turn signal lever in the RH and LH turn positions with steering wheel locked in the straight ahead position. Lock the lever in position for each.
  • Check lever by slightly holding it in the RH and LH turn positions. When releasing, observe the lever springs back to normal position.
  • Road test vehicle and observe turn signals for RH and LH turn positions while manually turning steering wheel for each position. Verify lever cancels when steering returns from desired turn position.
  • Does turn signal lever operate properly?
Yes
GO to B2.

No
If lever will not cancel, check steering wheel cancel cam for damage. If lever is worn or damaged, REPLACE turn signal and windshield wiper switch .

 

B2 CHECK HAZARD SWITCH

  • Fully press hazard switch and release to turn on warning lamps. Verify switch operation. Fully press switch and release to turn off warning lamps. Verify switch operation.
  • Does hazard switch operate properly?
Yes
GO to B3.

No
If switch is worn or damaged, replace.

 

B3 CHECK HIGH BEAM AND FLASH-TO-PASS

  • Turn on headlamp bulbs .
  • Press turn signal and windshield wiper switch lever toward instrument panel to STOP position. Release lever. Verify high beams.
  • Move lever back toward seat. Release lever. Verify low beams.
  • Pull lever toward driver seat gently to flash-to-pass. Hold position. Verify both high and low beams are on. Release lever. Verify low beams.
  • Turn off headlamp bulbs .
  • Pull lever to flash-to-pass again and hold. Verify high beams come on. Release lever. Verify headlamp bulbs are OFF.
  • Does high beam, low beam and flash-to-pass operate?
Yes
GO to B4.

No
If lever is worn or damaged, REPLACE turn signal and windshield wiper switch. If lamps are not lighting properly, check lamps and lamp circuitry. REFER to Turn Signal and Windshield Wiper Switch Continuity Test in this section and Section 17-01.

 

B4 CHECK WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASH

  • Rotate windshield wiper switch to Low, High and Interval positions. Verify rotation of switch and wiper operation. Turn switch to OFF position. Verify that switch rotates to OFF and wipers stop operation.
  • Push the end of the switch in toward center of steering column to WASH position. Release WASH position. Verify wipers operate for a few wipes and return to OFF.
  • Operate WASH in all speeds of wiper switch. Verify wipers return to selected speed after releasing from WASH position.
  • Does the windshield wiper switch and WASH operate properly?
Yes
Turn signal and windshield wiper switch operates.

No
If switch or lever is worn or damaged, REPLACE turn signal and windshield wiper switch .