5 Reasons Why Cruise Control Doesn’t Work
Cruise control is now a standard feature that drivers rely on. But when it breaks down, the cause and repair costs are often unknown, leaving you wondering if it’s really safe to use.
Learn the most common reasons why cruise control doesn’t work and the average repair costs associated with this type of problem.
Why Cruise Control Doesn’t Work
Your vehicle’s cruise control can fail due to a number of underlying issues, some of which may prove to be more problematic than others. Understanding these potential issues can help you as you try to get your vehicle back on the road faster. Below are some of the most common causes of cruise control system failure.
1) Blown fuse
Almost all cruise control systems are equipped with a protective device called a B. In-line fuse, pre-wired. When this fuse blows, all power to that circuit is lost. Power can only be restored by replacing this blown fuse.
If your vehicle’s cruise control fuse has blown multiple times, further inspection is required to diagnose circuit-related issues.
2) Cruise Control Switch Failure
All cruise control systems are activated by the driver operating a designated cruise control switch. However, over time, the contacts on your vehicle’s cruise control switch can wear out or burn out, causing it to no longer function as intended.
If this issue occurs, the vehicle’s cruise control switch will need to be replaced.
3) Brake Switch Failure
Cruise control systems are designed to turn off whenever the vehicle’s brake pedal is pressed. The vehicle’s computerized system detects this brake pedal action through an electrical signal sent by a special brake switch. This switch is usually located behind the vehicle’s brake pedal connection along the firewall. Often, a failure of this brake switch will result in a complete loss of cruise control operation.
4) Speed ​​Sensor Error
The vehicle’s control software determines vehicle speed and adjusts cruise control operation based on feedback from a dedicated speed sensor. This speed sensor is most commonly located along the propeller shaft segment of the vehicle’s transmission case.
A failure associated with this sensor can lead to cruise control failure and ultimately require replacement of the speed sensor itself.
5) Actuator Cable Malfunction
Most older vehicles’ cruise control systems were controlled through a vacuum-operated, cable-actuated linkage. Engine vacuum was passed through the system’s actuator to operate a special throttle cable that controlled the engine’s throttle position.
Loss of system vacuum, failure of the vacuum actuator, or a broken throttle cable can cause cruise control interoperability to be compromised in vehicles of this design.
How safe is cruise control? Will she get stuck? Cruise control is generally safe to use, especially on newer vehicle models that control such features electronically.
However, although rare, older cable-operated cruise controls can sometimes lock up, causing the vehicle to accelerate when turned on. Fortunately, this unintended acceleration can usually be stopped by disabling the cruise control or by simply pressing the brake pedal.
The real dangers of cruise control come when the operator uses it incorrectly. Some discretion is needed when choosing when and where to use cruise control. Such features should never be used on winding roads that limit the driver’s visibility or in situations that require rapid speed changes.
It is also not recommended to use cruise control when you are sleepy. Many drivers use cruise control all the time to save gas, but using such automatic features reduces the driver effort required to move and can have a negative impact on the driver’s concentration if the driver is already tired.
In such cases, if it is safe to do so, pull off the road and do not continue driving until you are fully alert again.
