5 Reasons Why Your Cruise Control Stopped Working
It would be difficult to find a vehicle on the road today without cruise control. This invaluable feature makes driving long distances easier but can also cause trouble when it malfunctions. While this fault can cause issues with the cruise control system itself, there could also be an effect on the acceleration of your vehicle. That’s why you want to have it looked at as soon as you notice a problem. Let’s take a quick look at the reasons your cruise control may have stopped working.
Reasons Why Your Cruise Control Stopped Working
The most common reason a cruise control stops working is due to a blown fuse or a defective brake pedal switch.
Here is a more detailed list of the possible reasons your cruise control is not working:
1. Blown Fuse
All electrical systems in the vehicle are controlled by fuses. Your cruise control system is attached to a fuse that can blow if there is a short circuit or fault. Without a good fuse, the cruise control system can’t work at all.
Thankfully, it’s not difficult to find and replace a blown fuse. Look in the owner’s manual to find the fuse that corresponds with the cruise control technology.
2. Defective Brake Pedal Switch
The brake pedal switch is responsible for turning the brake lights on and off based on the pedal position. Cruise control systems are designed to disengage whenever your brake pedal gets pressed.
Because the cruise control is wired into the brake pedal switch, any fault can cause it to stop working. When the brake pedal switch malfunctions, the car believes the brakes are engaged, causing the system to turn off automatically.
3. Malfunctioning Speed Sensor
Speed sensors are located on every wheel or differential. The speed sensors are also part of the cruise control system. When a sensor fails, the cruise control can stop working and the speedometer might act strange as well. If there is an issue with a speed sensor, it will often show with an ABS warning light or a check engine light on the dashboard.
4. Electrical Issues
The cruise control system is electronic, with many components working together to make the system operate. If the cruise control fails to work, you want to check the wiring harness and associated connectors for a fault.
You also need to ensure that the voltage source is supplying enough power to the system. Even the smallest fault can cause defects with the cruise control. In many cases, there can be an issue with the cruise control lever or buttons causing the cruise control to not engage. the system with an OBD2 scanner to look for any trouble codes related to the cruise control.
5. Damaged Vacuum Actuator, Hoses or Cable (Older cruise control)
If you drive an older vehicle with cruise control, you might have an issue with the vacuum actuator or the cable that connects to the throttle. Additionally, the cable linking the actuator to the throttle must be in good shape.
What is Cruise Control?
Cruise control was first introduced for automobiles in the 1950s. However, it took many years before it became a staple in the modern vehicle. This electrical system allows you to set a predetermined speed and take your foot off of the gas pedal. If you are on a long drive, there is less fatigue because you don’t have to try to maintain your speed. Cruise control can also benefit fuel economy because the vehicle uses less fuel when traveling steadily.
In newer cars, you might be able to find adaptive cruise control, which is a smart technology. Adaptive cruise control allows you to travel at a predetermined speed, but it also helps to maintain a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you with the help of sensors. With conventional cruise control, you need to take over when the car in front of you slows down, but that’s not the case with adaptive cruise control.
There are also vehicles nowadays with not only cruise control, but fully self-driving vehicles. We will most likely see much more of this in the future.
Can a vacuum leak affect cruise control?
Older vehicles use vacuum to control the throttle for the cruise control, and in this case a vacuum leak can heavily affect the cruise control. Therefore, it is best not to ignore the problem if your cruise control is not working without first diagnosing the car properly.
If your cruise control still isn’t working after trying all the tips in this article, it’s probably time to take it in for a professional opinion from a mechanic. It may be a more serious problem that requires replacement parts or repairs. In the meantime, drive safe and enjoy the open road!