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Cruise Control: What Is It?
| Most cars have cruise control systems. Here is how they work and some things that can go wrong with them. |
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What Can Go Wrong
Since each manufacturer has slightly different cruise control systems, specific troubleshooting procedures will vary. Most vehicle shop manuals have a multi-page diagnostic flow chart that the dealer mechanics use to solve failures. If there isn't an obvious problem like a broken wire, a blown fuse or a leaking vacuum line then the problem most likely lies in the brains of the unit or in the switch that sets the speed and contains the other functions of resume and accelerate.
But since each system has the same basic parts, different systems will share the same basic problems. As always, you should consult the repair manual for you particular vehicle before trying to troubleshoot your cruise control system.
If the vehicle speed sensor fails, the cruise control module will not get a speed signal. If this is the case the speedometer will usually stop working as well.
The cruise control module can go bad and either not understand the signal coming in from the vehicle speed sensor or is unable to send the signal to the actuator. In addition blown fuses or broken wires can prevent the cruise control module from working properly as well.
The vacuum diaphragm inside the actuator can develop a leak and prevent it from operating properly. If it is a large vacuum leak the actuator will probably not set at all. Leaking or broken vacuum lines are usually the major cause of this problem.
Lastly, the linkage itself may break or become disconnected. Some cruise control systems use a bead type chain, like the pull chain on an old light socket, and they just plain break.
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