Pinpoint Test B: The Steering Wheel Control Illumination Is Inoperative

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2006 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

B1 CHECK CIRCUIT VLN04 (VT/GY) FOR AN OPEN
- Depower the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .
- Disconnect: Clockspring C218a.
- Key in ON position.
- With the parking lamps ON, rotate the instrument panel dimmer switch to the full illumination position.
- Measure the voltage between the clockspring C218a-16, circuit VLN04 (VT/GY), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Circuit VLN04 (VT/GY) For Open
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?
Yes : TURN the parking lamps OFF. GO to B2.

No : REPAIR the circuit. REPOWER the SRS. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM . TEST the system for normal operation.
B2 CHECK CIRCUIT GD116 (BK/VT) FOR AN OPEN
- Measure the resistance between the clockspring C218a-7, circuit GD116 (BK/VT), harness side and ground.
  
  Fig 2: Checking Circuit GD116 (BK/VT) For Open
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes : GO to B3.

No : REPAIR the circuit. REPOWER the SRS. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM . TEST the system for normal operation.
B3 CHECK THE CLOCKSPRING FOR AN OPEN
- Remove the driver air bag module. Refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .
- Disconnect: Upper Clockspring Connector C218b.
- Measure the resistance between the clockspring C218a pin 16, component side and the upper clockspring connector C218b pin 7, component side; and between the clockspring C218a pin 7, component side and the upper clockspring connector C218b pin 2, component side.
  
  Fig 3: Checking Clockspring For Open
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Are the resistances less than 5 ohms?
Yes : GO to B4.

No : INSTALL a new clockspring. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM . INSTALL the driver air bag module. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM . TEST the system for normal operation.
B4 CHECK STEERING WHEEL HARNESS CIRCUIT VLN04 (VT/GY) FOR AN OPEN
- Disconnect: LH Steering Wheel Switches C2998.
- Disconnect: RH Steering Wheel Switches C2999.
- Measure the resistance between the upper clockspring connector C218b-7, circuit VLN04 (VT/GY), harness side and the LH steering wheel switches C2998-2, circuit VLN04 (VT/GY), harness side; and between the upper clockspring connector C218b-7, circuit VLN04 (VT/GY), harness side and the RH steering wheel switches C2999-1, circuit VLN04 (VT/GY), harness side.
  
  Fig 4: Checking Steering Wheel Harness Circuit VLN04 (VT/GY) For Open
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes : GO to B5.

No : REPAIR the circuit. INSTALL the driver air bag module. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM . TEST the system for normal operation.
B5 CHECK CIRCUIT GD165 (BK) FOR AN OPEN
- Measure the resistance between the clockspring C218b-2, circuit GD165 (BK), harness side, and the LH steering wheel switch C2998-4, circuit GD165 (BK), harness side; and between the clockspring C218b-2, circuit GD165 (BK), harness side, and the RH steering wheel switch C2999-3, circuit GD116 (BK), harness side.
  
  Fig 5: Checking Circuit GD165 (BK) For Open
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
- Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes : INSTALL new speed control switch or audio steering wheel controls as necessary. REFER to SPEED CONTROL or ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION as necessary. INSTALL the driver air bag module. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM . TEST the system for normal operation.

No : REPAIR the circuit. INSTALL the driver air bag module. REFER to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM . TEST the system for normal operation.