MFS Multifunction switch - popular post.

[93shoblkmtx]

This post is specific to gen 2 tauruses (92-95) but it may be relevent for any Ford of that era.

I have seen lotsa posts about bad turn signals and headlights. I had a headlight/turn signal problem of my own not long ago and was helped here.

The multifuntion swithch (MFS) is the control for the turn signals, the hazards, the highbeam/low beam selection and wipers/washerfluid.

The MFS is controlled by the turn signal knob. It is located under the plastic shroud that covers the steering column. To get to it you need a phillips head screwdriver, a set of torx scredrivers, a small allen wrench and about 15 minutes. First remove the large metal panel under the dash. Once thats out of the way unscrew the tilt steering handle. Then, remove the lower steering column cover. Then the dash gauge bezel (thats the plactic thing that streaches from the vents above the radio to the headlight switch). The dash guage bezel is removed by taking out the 2 screws pointed up above the gauge cluster and 1 or 2 more at the bottom. You will have to use a screwdriver to remove some of the wiring(headlight switch, rear defogger, and the like) but some of the wiring connectors are thumb release style. the bezel should snap out now. Removing the bezel or at lease moving it up helps when taking the upper steering column cover off but you may not need to remove it at all. The upper steering column cover will run into the ignition switch so you have to remove that too. It's easy, just use an allen wrench to poke the stop out of the way from the bottom (the key must be in and you have to wiggle it quite a bit). Once the steering column cover is off, disconnect the wiring to the MFS (2 connectors) then use your torx wrench on the two screws holding the MFS in place. From here you can either put the new MFS in place or try to clean yours up.

I cleaned my multiswitch by carefully taking it apart and wiping, then sandpapering the contacts. Flush the whole thing with some electronics cleaner (electric motor cleaner or brake cleaner(non-chlorinated) works). Inspect the contacts and if you have any burnt up plastic parts it may mean its time for a new one (the spring loaded terminals fry up after a while making them not spring loaded and not connecting killing your headlights). then LIGHTLY lube everything with some electrical grease and reassemble.

Start to finish it took me an hour and a half.

[denisb]

Can I just add that you might want to use 400 or higher grit sand paper. If you use to coarse a sandpaper the job wont last because the contacts will get burnt quicker due to arcing.

[rbossell]

I have a '97 Taurus. I started receiving the quick blink signal that you get when a bulb is burned out. I had the right rear light replaced, it had a broken filament. Now I get a good blink response when I move the turn signal lever part way and hold it, as if you were changing lanes, but when I move it all the way to the right I get the fast blink again. Could I have a faulty (or dirty) MFS? This may be a silly question, but I see a possibility here.