Cruise control can be beneficial when driving on the highway or for an extended period. By selecting a speed, you can let the vehicle retain speed while relaxing your foot.
While a cruise control malfunction can be inconvenient, a sudden malfunction could be hazardous.
If your cruise control abruptly stops working, your vehicle may decelerate. So even with cruise control engaged, driving is crucial. Let’s find out more about it here!
Why Is My Cruise Control Not Working?
Your cruise control not functioning could be caused by anything from a simple blown fuse to quite complicated electrical issues. Malfunctioning switches, sensors or cameras, and even the brake pedal switch that may be malfunctioning could all be a part of the issue. Of course, a broken vacuum hose and a faulty clock spring can all explain why your cruise control is not working.
Let’s find out more about why your cruise control is not working. Here are nine reasons why. Continue reading as I uncover several different reasons for malfunctioning cruise control!
1. Faulty Fuse
Your cruise control system will have a corresponding fuse if it is electronically operated. The fuse will blow in the event of an electrical issue to protect another wiring from being harmed.
That said, you try switching out the fuse. If that fixes the issue and the cruise control continues functioning, that’s fantastic.
However, if the fuse knocks again, you might have to deal with more serious electrical issues.
2. Malfunctioning Switch Brake Pedal
The brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal. The brake pedal switch is responsible for this.
Further, a faulty brake pedal switch can interfere with the brake lights and the cruise control. But how? Consider what would happen if you apply the brakes while using cruise control.
So, when it turns off automatically, you regain manual control. Unfortunately, the cruise control won’t activate when the switch is broken, and your car believes the brake pedal is constantly getting depressed.
Of course, it can be risky and troublesome; drivers must understand when they are braking and when they are not.
3. Damaged Speed Sensor
Can you identify what your vehicle’s speed sensor does? First, it recognizes speed (mainly, how fast your car runs).
In addition, due to erroneous readings from a damaged speed sensor, the cruise control may not operate as intended.
Therefore, fixing a damaged speed sensor as soon as possible is essential because it may also affect the speedometer.
4. Broken Vacuum Hose
In earlier cars, the throttle cable and a vacuum actuator are used to maintain the cruise control speed.
If the vacuum actuator or the vacuum hoses are damaged, the cruise control in a car may no longer function.
Likewise, if the cable between the actuator and the throttle is damaged, the system may also malfunction.
5. Cruise Electrical Issue
The cruise control system is wired up to several electrical connections. Therefore, whenever the cruise control ceases to function, you should inspect the connectors, wiring cables, and ground straps.
Also, verify that the system is still receiving power from the voltage source. For example, the failure of the cruise control could be caused by any of these parts being loose or broken.
6. Cruise Control Switch
You choose your cruising speed with the cruise control switch. This information is sent to the engine control and cruise control modules to maintain the acceleration speed.
Further, the module and unit may not get the essential speed data needed to keep the acceleration continuing if the contacts within the cruise control switch start to wear out.
In reaction, the device will completely shut down and reverse the set cruise acceleration.
7. Faulty Clock Spring
Suppose your steering wheel has switches, the spiral wire links each switch to the appropriate module. The driver’s airbag is connected to this as well.
Of course, these wires, also known as clock springs, are easily cut. A broken spiral cable could result in an open circuit and be unable to connect to the cruise control module of the car (CCM).
8. Dirty Or Faulty Sensor Or Camera
Modern cars come with adaptive cruise control. These systems can detect cars ahead and behind them and maintain a safe fixed distance to prevent collisions and keep the driver’s pace.
In addition, some systems include cameras to determine the proper proximity and consider the vehicle’s acceleration and speed, while others use laser sensors.
Unfortunately, adaptive cruise control won’t function if there’s a sensor issue.
9. Malfunctioning Throttle Body
The engine control unit (ECU) electronically drives the throttle body in new engines, and also the accelerator pedal functions like more of a potentiometer.
The cruise control system’s processor may function as the accelerator pedal by applying a higher or lower voltage to the accelerator pedal to open or shut the butterfly valve on the throttle body.
Therefore, your cruise control will not operate if there’s an issue with the throttle body in your car.
To know more, you can also read our posts on why your car battery keeps on dying, Astro Van fuel pump symptoms, and ATV bad ignition coil symptoms.
Conclusion
Failure of the cruise control system may indicate that more repairs are imminent. The mechanic will check the brake lights and speedometer while evaluating the cruise control.
An unexpected malfunction of the cruise control system could be harmful to a driver who is not paying attention.
So, if your car’s cruise control isn’t functioning, you must have a mechanic examine it to figure out what’s wrong.