How To: Multifunction switch replacement
How To: Multifunction switch replacement
Seriously. Am I the only one who is not Dodge-electrical-connector competent?! I hate them. All of them!!
Anyways. I recently bought a multifunction switch (MFS) from someone on the boards. About 3 years ago (lol) when making the drive back to college I saw a little bit of smoke coming from the steering column, then it went away. I then had problems with my headlights not coming on, but then they all went away. Well, one day I became curious and took it apart. I found that the main connector was actually melted. The plastic connector is literally cracked and part of the connection inside is melted. The actual multifunction switch itself (the big black thing the connector plugs into) seemed fine, the couple prongs where the melted part had been were slightly off-color. I have read that you can get the harness now, cut off so you can solder it back on I guess. At the time when this happened to me, you had to buy the whole thing.
Well, like I said, 3 years later, after getting tired of seeing my fog lamp "on" indicator come on whenever I turned my headlights on, then go off when I used my turn signal, I decided to replace the MFS. For some reason my headlight stalk that also controls the fogs/turn signals decided to get messed up somehow.
I've taken my column apart many a time and I remember the first time I had no clue what needed to come off in what order so I decided to post up some pics in case anyone is leary of doing this.
Your column is 2 pieces, upper and lower. They snap together and are then held by 2 semi-long screws. You need to unscrew these screws before doing anything else. Look underneath and you'll see 3 holes, the 2 closest to you have the screws in them. Once you get those out (they may not come all the way out and fall out), you can pull the upper part off of the bottom. Depending how small your hands are, you may not even need to take the bottom piece off.
Now that you have the cover(s) off, you can get the harnesses loose. My favorite part! (sarcasm). I managed to break both of mine so... apparently you are supposed to push the little red thing forwards (toward the front of the car), which should release tension on the gray connector. HOWEVER. If you think that's all you need to do, you are wrong. In the next pic, you will see the bump on your MFS that the gray connector(s) need to be pried OVER. If you do not do this, you end up breaking your gray connector. (although they are in so tight, I don't see anyone having issues not having the broken piece, I haven't so far). That's another thing. My big harness was REALLY tight, because it was melted. It took about 20 minutes of prying to get it loose. Be prepared if you expect yours is also melted.
Once you get the harnesses unplugged, you can unscrew the 2 screws on top of the MFS. I don't remember what size, but they are torx.
You can now lift your whole MFS with stalks attached out. Lift straight up. I don't know how OEM MFS's come, but my used one came with both stalks, one was detached to fit in the box (easy to put back on, 2 screws).
Install the new MFS, in reverse order of what you just did. There are 2 "prongs" that seat in a hole on each side (see picture).
There you go, new MFS
Anyways. I recently bought a multifunction switch (MFS) from someone on the boards. About 3 years ago (lol) when making the drive back to college I saw a little bit of smoke coming from the steering column, then it went away. I then had problems with my headlights not coming on, but then they all went away. Well, one day I became curious and took it apart. I found that the main connector was actually melted. The plastic connector is literally cracked and part of the connection inside is melted. The actual multifunction switch itself (the big black thing the connector plugs into) seemed fine, the couple prongs where the melted part had been were slightly off-color. I have read that you can get the harness now, cut off so you can solder it back on I guess. At the time when this happened to me, you had to buy the whole thing.
Well, like I said, 3 years later, after getting tired of seeing my fog lamp "on" indicator come on whenever I turned my headlights on, then go off when I used my turn signal, I decided to replace the MFS. For some reason my headlight stalk that also controls the fogs/turn signals decided to get messed up somehow.
I've taken my column apart many a time and I remember the first time I had no clue what needed to come off in what order so I decided to post up some pics in case anyone is leary of doing this.
Your column is 2 pieces, upper and lower. They snap together and are then held by 2 semi-long screws. You need to unscrew these screws before doing anything else. Look underneath and you'll see 3 holes, the 2 closest to you have the screws in them. Once you get those out (they may not come all the way out and fall out), you can pull the upper part off of the bottom. Depending how small your hands are, you may not even need to take the bottom piece off.
Now that you have the cover(s) off, you can get the harnesses loose. My favorite part! (sarcasm). I managed to break both of mine so... apparently you are supposed to push the little red thing forwards (toward the front of the car), which should release tension on the gray connector. HOWEVER. If you think that's all you need to do, you are wrong. In the next pic, you will see the bump on your MFS that the gray connector(s) need to be pried OVER. If you do not do this, you end up breaking your gray connector. (although they are in so tight, I don't see anyone having issues not having the broken piece, I haven't so far). That's another thing. My big harness was REALLY tight, because it was melted. It took about 20 minutes of prying to get it loose. Be prepared if you expect yours is also melted.
Once you get the harnesses unplugged, you can unscrew the 2 screws on top of the MFS. I don't remember what size, but they are torx.
You can now lift your whole MFS with stalks attached out. Lift straight up. I don't know how OEM MFS's come, but my used one came with both stalks, one was detached to fit in the box (easy to put back on, 2 screws).
Install the new MFS, in reverse order of what you just did. There are 2 "prongs" that seat in a hole on each side (see picture).
There you go, new MFS
fusion210: Everytime I ride in a car you're driving I try to make it the last time. D:
- MyNeonSaysHi
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FSM states anytime work under, or around the dash area is performed, the battery is to be disconnected for at least a few minutes and remain disconnected, to prevent accidental airbag release. Do we heed the warnings? Sometimes...
Bill
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCMOlha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
- MyNeonSaysHi
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- MyNeonSaysHi
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Still working here.
Bill
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCMOlha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
- MyNeonSaysHi
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Logged out and logged back in. Working now.
Working on getting those damn connectors off. Red tabs don't want to pry out.
Also a couple tips:
With tilt steering, tilt it as low as possible, therefore you have a ton of working space
The torx screws on the top are T-20's.
Working on getting those damn connectors off. Red tabs don't want to pry out.
Also a couple tips:
With tilt steering, tilt it as low as possible, therefore you have a ton of working space
The torx screws on the top are T-20's.
08 Acura TL-S
23 Hyundai Elantra N
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They (red tabs) can be a PITA at times. Sometimes they slide right over, and other times not.
Bill
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCMOlha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
- MyNeonSaysHi
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- MyNeonSaysHi
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Haha got it all off in one piece. No broken tabs.
For the windshield wiper connector. I took out both torx screws so I could pull upn on the unit and have space to work with that side. I used a small thing flathead and pried on the red tab out gently as I pushed down on the grey connector. It eventually popped out. Couldn't get grip ont he connector do to the horrible humidity so I put on a pair of gloves and pushed down on the tab and pulled out.
The headlight stock area connector I put it back in place and did the same thing. Red connector eventually gave.
Swapping over windshield wiper stock to new stock. (2-10Torx) Also Relay.
Kind of see how its damaged a bit on the left side of the connectors. Thankfully I can now have headlights on, use right blinker and the foglights do not turn on.
When I originally got the car the previous owner had his mutts in there on a few occasions to the vet. I have done a lot of cleaning since then and got random hair off but sure as shit there is hair in the damn steering columnn. So I cleaned that all up before putting it all back together.
For the windshield wiper connector. I took out both torx screws so I could pull upn on the unit and have space to work with that side. I used a small thing flathead and pried on the red tab out gently as I pushed down on the grey connector. It eventually popped out. Couldn't get grip ont he connector do to the horrible humidity so I put on a pair of gloves and pushed down on the tab and pulled out.
The headlight stock area connector I put it back in place and did the same thing. Red connector eventually gave.
Swapping over windshield wiper stock to new stock. (2-10Torx) Also Relay.
Kind of see how its damaged a bit on the left side of the connectors. Thankfully I can now have headlights on, use right blinker and the foglights do not turn on.
When I originally got the car the previous owner had his mutts in there on a few occasions to the vet. I have done a lot of cleaning since then and got random hair off but sure as shit there is hair in the damn steering columnn. So I cleaned that all up before putting it all back together.
08 Acura TL-S
23 Hyundai Elantra N
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MFS repair kit from the dealer.
5183442AA - wiring harness repair kit List price: $66.95
5183442AA - wiring harness repair kit List price: $66.95
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH - GRAY 20 WAY CAV CIRCUIT FUNCTION
1 L50 18WT/TN (EXCEPT EXPORT) BRAKE LAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
2 L61 18LG LEFT TURN SIGNAL
2 L61 18LG (EXPORT) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
3 L6 20RD/WT FUSED IGNITION SWITCH OUTPUT (RUN-ACC)
4 L63 18DG/RD LEFT TURN SIGNAL
4 L63 18DG/RD (EXPORT) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
5 L62 18BR/RD RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
5 L62 18BR/RD (EXPORT) RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
6 L60 18TN RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
6 L60 18TN (EXPORT) RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
7 Z3 20BK/OR GROUND
8 E19 22RD PANEL LAMPS DIMMER SIGNAL
9 L7 18BK/YL HEADLAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
10 - -
11 A15 18WT FUSED B(+)
12 L38 16BR/WT (EXPORT) REAR FOG LAMP FEED
12 L38 16BR/WT (EXPORT) REAR FOG LAMP FEED
13 L4 14VT/WT (EXCEPT EXPORT) DIMMER SWITCH LOW BEAM OUTPUT
13 F61 16WT/OR (EXPORT) FUSED B(+)
14 F39 14PK/LG (EXCEPT EXPORT) FRONT FOG LAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
14 L39 16LB (EXPORT) FRONT FOG LAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
14 L39 16LB (EXPORT) FRONT FOG LAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
15 - -
16 L4 12VT/WT DIMMER SWITCH LOW BEAM OUTPUT
17 L33 14LG/BR DIMMER SWITCH HIGH BEAM OUTPUT
18 F3 12LB/OR FUSED B(+)
19 F3 12LB/OR FUSED B(+)
20 F33 18PK/RD FUSED B(+)
Bill
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCMOlha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
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- Polobear305
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That would be the equivalent of Blinker fluid on ours.titansxt wrote: Brake light pressure switch busted?
If it is just the tails, and the brake lights work, the ground wouldn't be the issue. Both filaments ground through the same wire. If neither work, check both sides of the trunk on the inside. There are two grounding points behind the "carpet".
The tails are the black/yellow wire, from the MFS to the bulbs. If it is in the MFS/connector, the front marker lights will also be out. If they work, it is in a splice, or connector.
Bill
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCMOlha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
- Polobear305
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There is only the brake light switch, located on the pedal assy.
Do the brake lights not work either? Do the front running lights work?
Do the brake lights not work either? Do the front running lights work?
Bill
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
2000 Neon MTX swap with '02 R/T PCMOlha Koba, a psychologist in Kyiv, said that “anger and hate in this situation is a normal reaction and important to validate.” But it is important to channel it into something useful, she said, such as making incendiary bombs out of empty bottles.
1999 neon coupe 2.4 swap
2021 Forester
- Polobear305
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Is this for the pigtail?occasional demons wrote:MFS repair kit from the dealer.
5183442AA - wiring harness repair kit List price: $66.95
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH - GRAY 20 WAY CAV CIRCUIT FUNCTION
1 L50 18WT/TN (EXCEPT EXPORT) BRAKE LAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
2 L61 18LG LEFT TURN SIGNAL
2 L61 18LG (EXPORT) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
3 L6 20RD/WT FUSED IGNITION SWITCH OUTPUT (RUN-ACC)
4 L63 18DG/RD LEFT TURN SIGNAL
4 L63 18DG/RD (EXPORT) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
5 L62 18BR/RD RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
5 L62 18BR/RD (EXPORT) RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
6 L60 18TN RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
6 L60 18TN (EXPORT) RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
7 Z3 20BK/OR GROUND
8 E19 22RD PANEL LAMPS DIMMER SIGNAL
9 L7 18BK/YL HEADLAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
10 - -
11 A15 18WT FUSED B(+)
12 L38 16BR/WT (EXPORT) REAR FOG LAMP FEED
12 L38 16BR/WT (EXPORT) REAR FOG LAMP FEED
13 L4 14VT/WT (EXCEPT EXPORT) DIMMER SWITCH LOW BEAM OUTPUT
13 F61 16WT/OR (EXPORT) FUSED B(+)
14 F39 14PK/LG (EXCEPT EXPORT) FRONT FOG LAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
14 L39 16LB (EXPORT) FRONT FOG LAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
14 L39 16LB (EXPORT) FRONT FOG LAMP SWITCH OUTPUT
15 - -
16 L4 12VT/WT DIMMER SWITCH LOW BEAM OUTPUT
17 L33 14LG/BR DIMMER SWITCH HIGH BEAM OUTPUT
18 F3 12LB/OR FUSED B(+)
19 F3 12LB/OR FUSED B(+)
20 F33 18PK/RD FUSED B(+)
2001 Neon/ SRT Swap
- slickneon19
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