2003 Explorer Eddie Bauer - no cruise control

Noticed yesterday that my cruise will not come on for my 2003 Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0 v6 4x4.

Since then I have tried a dozen times and have not had any occurrences of it working so I don't believe it is intermittent. My green speedometer light won't light up. I don't suspect the buttons on the steering wheel since I have not seen any cases of those going bad on here.

My ABS light was on constantly a year ago and I changed the rear sensor to fix that problem. Within the last few weeks the abs light has started coming on again intermittently, however has not been on since I noticed the cruise not working so not sure if that is related. I had not used the cruise since noticing the abs light so can't say it's not related either.

I have checked my fuses and found none blown. I have tested the plug going into the cruise control controller on the passenger side fender and found voltage going to the first and last pin in the wiring plug with the key turned to on.

I had read on this forum that some people had trouble with the pressure switch on the top of the master cylinder, one post mentioned shorting the connection out with a paper clip had fixed their issue. I tried this with no luck and tested the switch with an ohm meter and found that it is closed already. Not sure if that means it is good or bad.

Does anyone now anything else I can test? I can't remember if the green speedometer light used to light up when the key was turned on but it doesn't now, or if the light would illuminate when you were in park and turned the cruise on, or if you had to be travelling at over 40 mph for it to light up.

Any help will be appreciated.

with my '04 i went through the same thing you are. I'd say im 80% sure its the master cylinder switch. $20 dealer part, they usually have several in stock. . .lol. . . so you know it a 'common' failure. My spare sensor is at home so i can't check a good one if its open or closed. Key word you used was 'intermittently' thats the best way to describe it. With the Ohm meter what happen when you press the brakes, does it change state?
I think it should . . .

I went to the dealership and picked up the pressure switch today, not sure if prices have increased but mine was $39, but it did fix the problem. I tested the new one with my ohm meter and they both tested the same, so that doesn't seem to indicate any fault for other people trying to troubleshoot this. I didn't have anyone to push the brake pedal to see if that changed the reading. The guy at the parts counter said some explorers were subject to a recall on this part, but mine was not included in that recall, go figure.

Also for anyone trying to troubleshoot this, the green speedometer won't light up until you are traveling at speed, somewhere around 35 MPH So knowing this now, the paper clip may work, I didn't test that while driving.

I just got a re-call notice for my 04 for this part.
The letter said if I have replaced it already - I would get reimbursed .

I replaced it last year for about $20

mcm8327 said:

I went to the dealership and picked up the pressure switch today, not sure if prices have increased but mine was $39, but it did fix the problem. I tested the new one with my ohm meter and they both tested the same, so that doesn't seem to indicate any fault for other people trying to troubleshoot this. I didn't have anyone to push the brake pedal to see if that changed the reading. The guy at the parts counter said some explorers were subject to a recall on this part, but mine was not included in that recall, go figure.

Also for anyone trying to troubleshoot this, the green speedometer won't light up until you are traveling at speed, somewhere around 35 MPH So knowing this now, the paper clip may work, I didn't test that while driving.

Click to expand...

On my '02 Mountaineer, the cruise light won't come on until after pressing the SET button after turning the cruise ON. The 'on' button doesn't turn the light on even. Of course, you also have to be at 30 mph or greater.

Re: cruise control not working -- where is "the pressure switch on the top of the master cylinder." Can anyone tell me where this is or send me an exploded diagram. Thx.

email4robw said:

Re: cruise control not working -- where is "the pressure switch on the top of the master cylinder." Can anyone tell me where this is or send me an exploded diagram. Thx.

Click to expand...

at the master cylinder should be a red switch at the front of it on top or bottom of it. if you dont have have ivd, if you have ivd it will be on the brake pedal a 2nd looking like a brake switch.

email4robw said:

Re: cruise control not working -- where is "the pressure switch on the top of the master cylinder." Can anyone tell me where this is or send me an exploded diagram. Thx.

Click to expand...

The search function is your friend
I found http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=232253

which has the photo
its the red switch on the front of the master cylinder

cruise control not working

My explorer is different than in that picture. I have a 2003 v6. I do have a switch in front of the master cylinder but it is black and it is wired to another switch next to the master cylinder. Now I am more confused. Any additional help you can give?

Thanks

yakko911 said:

My explorer is different than in that picture. I have a 2003 v6. I do have a switch in front of the master cylinder but it is black and it is wired to another switch next to the master cylinder. Now I am more confused. Any additional help you can give?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Can you take a picture
Maybe you have the recall that was to replace certain years, it adds a fuse to prevent fires.

ivd?

waskly said:

at the master cylinder should be a red switch at the front of it on top or bottom of it. if you dont have have ivd, if you have ivd it will be on the brake pedal a 2nd looking like a brake switch.

Click to expand...

I've no cruise control on my '05 Limited Exp.
Sorry, but what is ivd?
does it have to do with the adjustable pedals?
if so, is the cruise deactivitation switch actually on the brake pedal assembly up under the dash?

also here is a photo of my master cyl.
is the sw. on the bottom the deactivition sw?


thanks for any help

burrcor said:

I've no cruise control on my '05 Limited Exp.
Sorry, but what is ivd?
does it have to do with the adjustable pedals?
if so, is the cruise deactivitation switch actually on the brake pedal assembly up under the dash?

also here is a photo of my master cyl.
is the sw. on the bottom the deactivition sw?

thanks for any help

Click to expand...

yes that looks like the sensor.. but on my 04, its on top in front of the reservoir

ivd?

I'm looking for what is the "ivd" as noted in Waskly's post

any idea?

thanks

problem solved
guy who just installed remote start pulled out a wire at the BPPS
dealer is fixing at his cost - wire was actually pulled out of the metal spade lug

Everyone loves a happy ending!

Odd... I Just replaced the Switch (from O'Riley Auto Parts) which did come with the jumper cable (which the sales man had no idea why, but reading here I know *now* it is an inline fuse). My lights come on when I turn on Cruise Control (as they did before) but Cruise is not holding a speed (which I tested at 45 & 50 MPH). I disconnected the cables and reconnected to check if they are hooked up and contacting properly. Still nothing for Cruise control.

Wondering...
1.) Do I have a faulty part
2.) Do I have a fuse somewhere?

Anyone have thoughts on this? I presume since I installed the part, It is not returnable. Also from reading, there isn't a way to test the switch with an multimeter... right?

Rob

2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, 4.0L v6