OK so recently my '96 has been giving me electrical hell and it's pissing me off. First it's all power, and the control panel for the power windows and locks on the driver's side won't roll down the front passenger window, but it will operate everything else. I know there's nothing wrong with the window motor because the passenger side control panel still works (thank God). So I figure ok, I'll just order a new panel for the driver's side and hope that fixes it. If I feel adventurous I'll open it up myself and see if I notice any problems with the internal switch. Anyway moving on, just yesterday the blinkers stopped working, and the airbag light stays on all the time. WTF?? What do the blinkers have to do with the airbag?? Is it sheer coincidence that both problems happened at the same time? The blinkers don't flash on the dash or outside the car either. [:@] Now everybody on the road probably thinks I'm an ******* driver because I don't signal. Anyway, anyone else have these problems? I'm going to consult my Haynes manual and check if there's a fuse for the blinkers and all that, but maybe there's an off chance this has happened to somebody else.

This is exactly why I can't stand new cars. Too much electrical bullsh!t = too many possibilities for **** to fail. [:@]

 

I'm going to guess if your blinkers don't even show up on your dash...that you have a problem in the stalk...

 

Blown fuse. I kinda figured, but I don't know why the airbag light was on. I guess it's tied together somehow.

 

Clock spring. If any problems with youre directionals, horn, hazards. Then the air bag wont deploy. The Focus is really bad with clock springs. They go bad more often than not. They are pieces of ****. Thats what i first thought when you said both went off. Im sure the switch is prolly bad. My dads Cobra did the same. Replaced the drivers switch. Either that or you have a brokn wire in the door.

 

Clockspring is a good culprit.Remove steering column covers and check for backed out connector pins at the multi function switch.Or it could be a sticking ignition cylinder or sticking ignition switch.When you start the car does it feel like the key is dragging when released?If so you will need to determine which one is binding.If the key hangs up between on and start you will get crazy problems,radio inop,abs lite,air bag light,inop windows and so on.hope this helps,good luck.

 

Well like I said in my previous post it was a blown fuse which caused the blinkers to stop working. I replaced it and they work fine. If it happens again I'll check everything else. About the window, after reading the Haynes manual I'm going to check the continuity of the switch in the driver's side panel because that is the only part affected. I'll dissect it later. Man I really hate electrical problems. They are the worst! [>:]

 

not to highjack the post here or anything.. but since you guys up there ^ seem to know how these electrical issues work, I havea quick question. the lights on my shifter bezel don't come on and i can't turn off my overdrive. I pulled off the console and checked the fuses, couldn't locate the problem, but then again, i couldn't see the wires clearly under the shifter. any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Is there a bulb under there? If that's not it, I'd take a close look at the wires and make sure they are still intact and not crossed anywhere. Other than that, I really don't know.

 

I blew a fuse once while installing my radio, my lock switch turned the lights on, the speedo didnt work, dome lights wouldnt turn on, it was insane! Took me awhile to figure it out because none of them related really so I couldnt see them going to the same fuse.