Steering wheel spiral cable broke?

[SimpleSolution]

In my 2001 Qx4 that I bought used privately. I was aware the steering wheel controls were not functioning.

It did not bother me much as I have an aftermarket cd player so I dont need the volume control. But not having cruise control is starting to bother me.

I managed to get the steering wheel apart to the electrical connections and take the airbag out. But I am completely lost as to how to check or inspect any of this.



I have downloaded the FSM manual, but am not very advanced at reading it.

Could anyone please direct me on how to proceed? Or which color wires should have power etc? I did some research and came across alot of talk of the sprial cable, but am unsure of its location or how to check it.

Thanks so much for any help!!!

[Q451990]

You should be able to check continuity between one end of the cable and the other with your meter. There is usually a setting on the ohm scale that will beep when you touch the leads together. So if you you were to probe the same wire on both ends of the cable, one lead on each end, it would beep if the wire was unbroken.

Heath

[SimpleSolution]

I dont even know which is the spiral cable or where you are saying to test for continuity

I figured I could test for voltage and such at some of the connectors in the pics, or some test that one of you genuises came up with to help troubleshoot

[Q451990]

You would test at either end of the cable at the connectors... does it show them in the service manual?

Heath

[SimpleSolution]

Ok well for instance, my horn doest work and neither does the cruise control. Which would I identify and check?

I cant find info on when either should have power or where to check continuity. I dont knwo where the cable would be "broken" and where to access each end of it

[Q451990]

There is a diagram on page EL-224 that shows the pin-outs on the cruise control control unit, several of which feed the spiral cable. There is another diagram on page EL-149 that gives you some pin-outs - but unfortunately no picture of the exact locations for the cable connectors, or pictures of what they look like. Your best bet is to start at the horn relay or cruise control unit and trace your way to the steering column, and eventually you will find a connector that feeds the steering column.

Heath