So I searched for recalls and found this statement from http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues

SUMMARY:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AS A RESULT OF CHAFFING OF A CRUISE CONTROL WIRE, THE STEERING WHEEL ROTARY COUPLER CAN OVERHEAT AND INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG.
CONSEQUENCE:
DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING CAN CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE VEHICLE CONTROL.
REMEDY:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSIBLE LINK WHICH WILL PROTECT THE ROTARY COUPLER FROM OVERHEATING.
NOTES:
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MARCH 24, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LAND ROVER AT 1-301-731-9040. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Has anyone had theirs serviced?

 

so thats what that goofy fuse hidden in the steering column was for.. good to know

 

hmm... my column clicks like the clock spring is busted... my horn works, cruise doesn't. i'll have to check into it..

 

I'm trying to figure out where I saw them saying a way to identify if yours has been fixed. One was a green painted screw on the back of the 4 screws under the steering column. Another was a sticker under the hood on the radiator with random numbers/letters. I'll find it and update this post

 

I was tempted to remove the thing cause it seemed out of place and the part number didn't return much