How to Replace the Cruise Control Switch in a 2000 Ford Explorer
- 1). Open the hood and loosen the clamp bolt on the negative battery cable with an adjustable wrench turned in a counterclockwise direction. Pull the cable straight up and off of the terminal and push it aside. Wait 15 minutes, before continuing this procedure, to allow the air bag circuitry to deactivate.
- 2). Pry the two plastic screw covers from the rear of the steering wheel spokes in the passenger compartment with a flat blade screwdriver. Remove the two screws revealed after removing the covers with an 8 mm socket attached to a ¼-inch drive ratchet wrench turned in a counterclockwise direction.
- 3). Lift the horn pad straight up from the top of the steering wheel. Carefully pull the air bag wiring harness connector from the bottom of the horn pad. Set the horn pad aside.
- 4). Remove the two screws holding each cruise control switch (there are two switches, one on each side of the steering wheel) with a Torx screwdriver turned in a counterclockwise direction. Lift up on the switch and pull the wiring connector apart with your thumb and forefinger. Repeat this action for both switches. Remove the switches from the steering wheel.
- 5). Install the new switches (make sure the "On/Off" switch is on the right-hand side) onto the steering wheel using the original mounting holes. Tighten the holding screws with a Torx screwdriver turned in a clockwise direction.
- 6). Push the air bag wiring connector back into the bottom of the horn pad until it is fully seated. Place the horn pad into position on the steering wheel. Tighten the holding screws from the back of the steering wheel with an 8 mm socket and ratchet. Push the two screw covers into the back of the steering wheel until they snap into place.
- 7). Place the negative battery cable back onto the terminal and tighten the clamp nut in a clockwise direction with an adjustable wrench. Close the hood.
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