Service slants

Motor,  Apr 2002  by Marcy, Thomas

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Chrysler

Steering wheel click or rattle. Some 1996-2000 minivans may exhibit a clicking or rattling sound from the steering wheel area while the vehicle is in motion, with the sound associated with rotation of the wheel or variations in the road surface. To cure the problem, Chrysler suggests lubricating the shift lockout tab, modifying the clockspring and adding pieces of foam tape to the multifunction switch and steering wheel.

Here's the drill: First make sure the front wheels of the vehicle point straight ahead, then disconnect the battery ground cable. Remove the lower steering column cover attaching screws, separate the cover from the instrument panel, then disconnect the parking brake release cable from its lever.

Next, remove the ten bolts that attach the steering column cover liner to the instrument panel, then remove the liner. Turn the ignition switch just enough so you can rotate the steering wheel. Rotate it to the left, then turn the key to Off. Turn the steering wheel further to the left until the steering lock reengages. Now remove the three screws that attach the air bag module and lift the module out. Next, disconnect the wiring from the air bag, the horn switch and speed control switch and remove the harness clip from the air bag module studs. If the vehicle has steering wheel radio controls, also disconnect the radio control wiring connector from the clockspring. Lastly; remove the steering wheel retaining nut from the shaft, note the position of the wheel in relation to the shaft and remove the wheel.

Separate the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column. These are held together with retaining clips, and these clips should not be broken off. Remove the three screws that attach the shrouds, then remove the shrouds from the column.

Next, disconnect the wiring harness connectors from the clockspring assembly and remove the clockspring without rotating it. Now check the torque of the two tilt rack attaching screws. Make sure they're torqued to 50 in.-lb.

Put a daub of grease between the shift lockout finger, the pivot and the bracket. Then, using side cutters or an equivalent tool, snip off the retention notch or hook portion of the clockspring.

Apply foam tape (3M Part No. 06375 or equivalent) to four areas of the multifunction switch in the locations shown (see illustration). Next, apply antisqueak tape (3M Part No. 06356 or equivalent) to the flats on both sides of the steering wheel hub, then reinstall the clockspring. Connect the wiring to the vehicle harness, then install the lower steering column shroud. Next, install the upper shroud and tighten the screws to attach the two shrouds together.

Installing the steering wheel is next, but use caution! Don't force the steering wheel or use its retaining nut to force the wheel onto the shaft. Once the wheel is in place, install and tighten the nut to 45 ft-lb.

Connect the clockspring wiring leads to the remote radio control connector (if so equipped), air bag, horn switch and speed control switches. Reattach the wire routing clip to the studs on the air bag module. Next, install the air bag and tighten its screws to 100 in.-lb,

Reinstall the steering column cover liner and parking brake cable, reattach the lower cover to the instrument panel, then reconnect the negative battery cable and reset the clock. Lastly, roadtest the vehicle to make sure the noise has been eliminated.

Ford

Erratic a/c operation. Some 1999-- 2000 Explorer and Mountaineer SUVs and 2000 Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Taurus, Sable and Lincoln Town Car and LS models with EATC (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control) may have a blower motor that stays on high speed after a desired temperature is reached. In addition, the temperature control function may not operate properly, with the temperature wandering above and below its setpoint.

To diagnose these problems, first try to pull DTCs from the EATC module. If none appear, inspect the in-car instrument panel temperature sensor aspirator hose for proper connections at both ends and for kinks or cuts.

If the hose is okay, verify that the temperature sensor attaches and is firmly seated to the instrument panel. Some vehicles mount the sensor on two pins. If the sensor is mounted too loosely, a gap can form in the sensor-to-dash panel seal, which will allow warm air behind the instrument panel to be drawn across the sensor. On Explorers and Mountaineers, check the mounting fasteners to verify that the gap in the fastener faces horizontally (3 or 9 o'clock).

If everything checks out to this point, do a sensor aspiration test, as follows: Cut a piece of toilet or facial tissue about an inch square. (Don't use a paper towel!) Turn the ignition key on, set the fan speed to High and select the Panel or Vent mode. Place the tissue over the aspirator grille. If aspiration (suction) is present, the tissue should adhere to the grille.

Now slowly move the fan speed to Low. The tissue should remain stuck to the grille. When you turn the blower off, the paper should fall.