Cars without cruise control are hard to find on the road today. Whether you find it invaluable in making your long drive easier or it has now caused problems by creating a fault, understanding what made your cruise control stop working will help you get it repaired quickly for a more enjoyable ride.
While this fault can create problems with the cruise control system itself, it can also affect the acceleration of your car.
That is why you want to make sure you take it in to be looked at as soon as you notice a problem. Now let’s take a quick look at the possible reasons your cruise control may have stopped working.
Reasons Why Your Cruise Control Stopped Working
A blown fuse or defective brake pedal switch is the most frequent reason cruise control stops functioning. It can also be a malfunction with the throttle control system or ABS. With older cruise control systems, a broken vacuum line may result in it not working.
Here is a larger list of possible reasons your cruise control isn’t working:
#1. Blown fuse.
All electrical systems in the vehicle are controlled, at least partly, by fuses. Your cruise control system has a fuse attached to it that can blow if you short circuit something or have some sort of fault. In the absence of a good fuse, the cruise control system is not going to work at all.
Fortunately, fuses are not hard to find and replace. Look in the owner’s manual for the fuse corresponding to the cruise control technology.
#2. Defective Brake Pedal Switch.
The brake pedal switch activates and deactivates the brake lights, depending on the state of the brake pedal. Cruise control systems are designed to disable any pressing of the brake pedal.
Because the cruise control system is wired into the brake pedal switch, if it fails, then the cruise control system doesn’t work.
If the brake pedal switch fails, the car thinks the brakes pedal is pressed in, and the system goes ahead and shuts it off. Further, the car’s brake light may be stuck on, leaving confused drivers behind you.
#3. Malfunctioning Speed Sensor.
Speed sensors are located on every wheel or differential. Their purpose is to detect wheel speed and monitor the need for traction control.
Speed sensors also interact with the cruise control system. If a sensor fails, it can disable the cruise control and possibly affect the behavior of the speedometer.
If there is an issue with a speed sensor, you will most likely see a warning light on the dashboard such as the ABS warning light or a check engine light.
#4. Electrical Issues.
The cruise control system is electronic, with multiple components working together to make the system functional. If the cruise control stops working, you want to check the wiring harness and connectors for a fault.
You also need to make sure the voltage source is providing power to the system. Minor faults can cause issues with the cruise control. Very often, there is an issue with the cruise control lever or buttons that can prevent the cruise control from working.
If your cruise control buttons are on the steering wheel, it may be a bad clock spring behind the steering wheel.
Check with an OBD2 scanner for any trouble codes for the cruise control system.
#5. Damaged Vacuum Actuator, Hoses or Cable (Older cruise control).
If you have cruise control on an older vehicle, it may have a vacuum actuator or a cable that connects to the throttle. If either of these items has damaged or compromised vacuum hoses or actuator, the cruise control will no longer work.
In addition, the cable from the actuator to the throttle must also be intact, or cruise control will not work.
What is Cruise Control?
Cruise control is a feature for use when traveling at a certain speed. Cruise control was first adapted for automobiles in the 1950s. It took a lot of years before it made its way into the modern automobile.
Cruise control is an electrical system that allows you to throttle at a certain speed and releases your foot off the accelerator when set. This not only reduces fatigue when you are on a long drive, but it has advantages for fuel economy because it is efficient to run the vehicle at a constant speed.
In newer cars, you may find adaptive cruise control, which is a “smart technology.”
Adaptive cruise control helps you throttle at a speed while also driving at a distance that is set by the car because of sensors in the vehicle. With older cruise control systems, the driver always had to take over when the car ahead slowed down, but adaptive cruise control makes it easier.
We even now have vehicles that allow us to do not only cruise control, but self-driving vehicles as well. In the future, society will probably see many more of these types of vehicles.
Cruise Control Repair Cost
Repairing your cruise control system will vary in price depending on what went wrong. The cost to replace a cruise control or brake switch will vary but typically will be in the range of $125-$350 including parts and labor. On the other hand, replacing a fuse will simply cost you a few bucks and you can do it yourself in a few seconds.
If the repair is major, such as the actuator, the repair could be significanly more. In some vehicles, the cost to replace a cruise control actuator is way upwards of $700. These costs will also be higher in luxury vehicles or if the parts are hard to find.
While having a broken cruise control may not seem like an emergency, it can have a significant impact on all other performance issues. You may see something degrade with the acceleration or have a fault with the speedometer. The right thing to do is get your cruise control repaired as soon as you notice the problem.
Is there a fuse for the cruise control?
Yes. If factory-installed, check the owner’s manual. If aftermarket-installed, follow the direction of the wires.
Does the brake switch control cruise control?
Yes, the brake switch tells the cruise control that the brakes have been applied so the engine can stop accelerating.
Will cruise control work with the check engine light on?
No, the cruise control feature will not work if you have a check engine light on, even if the check engine light is illuminated for another reason not related to the cruise control system. Primarily those previous safety features.
Can a vacuum leak affect cruise control?
Older cars use vacuum to activate the throttle for the cruise control, which definitely can be affected by vacuum leaks. Modern cruise controls are fully electric so they generally do not exhibit a vacuum leak problem if there are no check engine light alerts.
While many may think the cruise control system is unimportant, it is worth spending a little money to repair it because there could be a problem in the cruise control system that could greatly affect the durability or performance of the engine.
So, do not ignore a nondisabling cruise control without at least obtaining a proper diagnosis on the car.
If the cruise control is still not functional after you have tried everything in this article, it may be time to take your vehicle into a repair shop for a professional. There may be a more serious problem that will need replacement parts or car repair shops. Happy driving!