Today, it would be challenging to find a car on the road without cruise control. Driving long distances is made easy because of this useful feature, but when it breaks down, it can also be problematic. Knowing the causes of your cruise control’s malfunction will help you have the issue rectified fast for a better ride.
Your car’s acceleration could be affected by this problem, which can potentially affect the cruise control system itself. The moment you become aware of a problem; you should have it examined. Let’s quickly review the possible causes of your cruise control not functioning. Well in this article we’ll be discussing the reasons why cruise control is not working and the easy ways to fix it.
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- What is cruise control?
- What are the reasons why cruise control is not working?
- How much does it cost to repair a cruise control?
So, let’s dive in!
Contents
What is cruise control?
When you are moving at a steady speed, you can activate the cruise control option. In the 1950s, cruise control was first made available for cars. It took a while before it was a standard feature in the modern automobile, though.
By using this electrical system, you can establish a fixed speed and depress the accelerator. Because you don’t have to attempt to keep your speed up on a lengthy journey, you get less tired. Fuel economy is another advantage of using the cruise control since a vehicle uses less fuel when moving consistently.
You might find adaptive cruise control, a clever technology, in modern vehicles. With the use of sensors, adaptive cruise control helps you keep a safe distance from the cars in front of you while still allowing you to proceed at a set speed. When the automobile in front of you slows down, traditional cruise control requires you to take control, while adaptive cruise control does not. Today’s cars can be equipped with cruise control as well as fully autonomous vehicles. In the future, we’ll most likely see a lot more of this.
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What are the reasons why cruise control is not working?
- Defective Brake Pedal Switch
- Blown Fuse
- Electrical Issues
- Malfunctioning Speed Sensor
- Damaged Vacuum Actuator, Hoses, or Cable (Older cruise control)
Defective Brake Pedal Switch
Depending on where the pedal is pressed, the brake pedal switch is in charge of turning on and off the brake lights. When your brake pedal is depressed, cruise control systems are intended to disengage.
Because the brake pedal switch is linked to the cruise control, any malfunction could render it inoperable. The mechanism turns off automatically when the brake pedal switch fails because the automobile thinks the brakes are applied. Additionally, the brake light on your automobile may be permanently illuminated, confusing other drivers as you pass them.
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Blown Fuse
Fuse controls are used to manage the vehicle’s entire electrical system. If there is a short circuit or other problem, the fuse that your cruise control system is connected to may blow. The cruise control system cannot function at all without a reliable fuse.
Thankfully, replacing a blown fuse is not difficult to discover. To locate the fuse for the cruise control system, consult the owner’s manual.
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Electrical Issues
The electronic cruise control system is made up of numerous electronic parts that work together to make the system function. You should look for a problem with the wiring harness and related connectors if the cruise control stops functioning.
Additionally, make sure the voltage source is giving the system enough power. Cruise control issues can result from even the smallest error. The cruise control may not engage frequently due to a problem with the cruise control lever or buttons.
If the buttons for your cruise control are on the steering wheel, a broken clock spring, which is located behind the steering wheel, may also be to blame.
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Malfunctioning Speed Sensor
Each differential or wheel has a speed sensor. These sensors’ job is to keep track of the wheel speed and determine whether traction control is required.
The cruise control system also includes speed sensors. When a sensor malfunctions, the speedometer may also operate strangely and the cruise control may stop operating.
An ABS warning light or a check engine light may frequently illuminate the dashboard if there is a problem with a speed sensor.
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Damaged Vacuum Actuator, Hoses, or Cable (Older cruise control)
Each differential or wheel has a speed sensor. These sensors’ job is to keep track of the wheel speed and determine whether traction control is required.
The cruise control system also includes speed sensors. When a sensor malfunctions, the speedometer may also operate strangely and the cruise control may stop operating.
An ABS warning light or a check engine light may frequently illuminate the dashboard if there is a problem with a speed sensor.
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How much does it cost to repair a cruise control?
Depending on what went wrong, your cruise control system may need to be repaired. A cruise control or brake switch replacement might cost between $125 and $350, components and labor included. On the other hand, changing a fuse only costs a few bucks, and only takes a few seconds to do it yourself.
On the other hand, if a significant component, like the actuator, fails, you may face a substantially greater repair cost. The price to replace a cruise control actuator in some cars can reach over $700. If you drive a high-end or hard-to-find vehicle, these fees will go up.
Even though it might not appear critical right away, the malfunctioning cruise control system can have an impact on other performance characteristics. It’s possible that you’ll start to have problems. with acceleration or the speedometer. It’s usually advisable to get the cruise control fixed as soon as you notice a problem to be safe.
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FAQs
What can cause cruise control not to work?
- A fuse in your car blew out. The electrical system in your automobile needs a fuse for the cruise control to work properly.
- Its speed sensor is defective.
- A broken brake pedal switch or brake light.
- The electrical system is having issues.
Can I fix the cruise control on my car?
The answer, then, is both yes and no. For older vehicles, which don’t use an ECU to operate the engine, there are aftermarket cruise control modules available. The technology doesn’t operate as smoothly as it does in current cars that have it installed from the factory, though.
What to do if cruise control fails?
Typically, broken cruise control on a car just turns off. The driver only needs to depress the cruise control button at that point to regain control of the vehicle. If you manually switch off the feature and continue driving normally if the cruise control does not turn off when you press the brake.
How do you reset your cruise control?
Simply depressing the brake pedal for one-second while driving with the gas pedal fully depressed will reset the cruise control, allowing it to function normally once more.
What sensor controls cruise control?
The distance to the leading vehicle is measured using cruise control distance (CCD) sensors. The emergency braking system and adaptive cruise control system are both operated by this data. The sensors are a crucial part of an automobile’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and are situated behind the front grille aperture.
Where is the fuse of the cruise control?
To the left of the steering column, under the instrument panel, is where you’ll find the fuse panel.
How do I know if my cruise control fuse is blown?
Each fuse has two locations on the back side to probe; if the test light does not illuminate in both locations, the fuse is probably blown. If neither test light on either side of the fuse illuminates, consult the owner’s manual to see what circuit is feeding.
Does cruise control affect the engine?
Is using cruise control while driving bad for your car? Your car won’t suffer if you use cruise control. As it lessens abrupt acceleration and deceleration, using it appropriately can even be advantageous. The vehicle’s gearbox or engine is not in any way harmed by the use of cruise control.
Does battery affect cruise control?
After a jumpstart, some drivers have cruise control issues because their battery is still drained. Many of the electronic systems in newer cars are battery-powered. Therefore, the electrical cruise control system may be impacted if the battery is drained or underpowered.
That’s all for this article where the following questions related to the “Reasons why a cruise control is not working” were answered;
- What is cruise control?
- What are the reasons why cruise control is not working?
- How much does it cost to repair a cruise control?
I hope it was helpful, if so, kindly share. Thanks for reading.
