'99 X Sport Cruise Control Not Working

[Stormrunner77]

The cruise control in my '99 Sport doesn't seem to be working. The "Speed Control" indicator light on the gauge cluster lights up and stays on after pressing the Set button, but nothing happens after that. The speedo just goes down in relation to my foot being off the pedals. I'm going to checking the fuses today, but also wanted to see if anyone else had seen this type of behavior. I bought this X used so I don't know if any of the recalls related to speed control would apply.

Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated. Thx.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Check to see if the harness that plugs into the sensor on the master cylinder is unplugged. If so, go to your Ford Dealer, they will have a harness with a fuseable link to connect the two. When they were out of stock, the temporary fix was to unplug the sensor as part of the recall. If it is plugged in, it is most likely a problem with the cruise control module itself.

 

[Stormrunner77]

Thanks for the suggestion. Took a look under the hood as you suggested, initially wasn't sure if I was looking at the right part, but double check another of the threads. Looks like everything was connected and there was a Y branch off of the main line leading down. Checked the fuse, it looked good. Due to the gooey "On" button issue, I'm already planning on getting those replace just for good measure. If it is the speed/cruise control module where would you recommend getting 1?

DSCI0413 by Stormrunner77, on Flickr

 

[Joe Dirt]

Hmmm... That's the switch, but you don't have a recall harness. I'd run by the dealer and have them plop one on. Should be about 10 minutes max, no charge there.

If you need a cruise module, I would grab one form kbabiak or ped5stang here (used parts vendors) as they rarely go bad (but they do) and they're going to be insane expensive new.

Can't be the main fuse under the hood since the light comes on. Odd...

 

[Stormrunner77]

Hmmm... That's the switch, but you don't have a recall harness. I'd run by the dealer and have them plop one on. Should be about 10 minutes max, no charge there.

If you need a cruise module, I would grab one form kbabiak or ped5stang here (used parts vendors) as they rarely go bad (but they do) and they're going to be insane expensive new.

Can't be the main fuse under the hood since the light comes on. Odd...

Thanks for the info JoeDirt, luckily DFW has quiet a number of Ford dealers so I'll be giving one of them a call tomorrow. The fuse I checked was on the interior fuse panel, slot 10 I belive @ 7.5 amp. Also I will deffinately get with kbabiak or ped5stang about the module.

 

[Joe Dirt]

If they don't have one, let me know and I can get one locally from a junkyard, I just like to let the paying vendors have first crack.

Does the horn work?

 

[Stormrunner77]

If they don't have one, let me know and I can get one locally from a junkyard, I just like to let the paying vendors have first crack.

Does the horn work?

The horn is working, tested it earlier and it goes off when I hit the door locks on the remote.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yeah, can't be anything on the wheel since the light is on. I'm thinking cruise control unit then.

 

[Joe Dirt]

You know, the more I think about this, I remember a while back that someone was having a similar issue, and it ended up being the brake switch (in your pic, the sensor with the red harness connector. That's the sensor that would flame up causing fire, and thus the recall. When you go in for the recall, have them test the switch, that could be the issue...

I don't know why the cruise light doesn't cut off, but I don't think it was going out in the other owner's truck either...

 

[bobflood]

Confirm what Joe just said. My cruise light would come on, but nothing would set. Turned out to be the brake switch.

 

[Stormrunner77]

Thanks for the information guys. I'm taking it in to Bankston Ford - Burleson tomorrow. I called the service department about 5 min ago and was told of 3 "unresolved" recall items. The multifunction switch, speed control, and a seat bolt. I knew about the speed control recall being out there, but hadn't see anything about the MFS or the seat bolt. Who knows might get lucky and be able to fix to things at once. (Had to have the wiper motor replaced and now for some reason the wipers will come on by themselves randomly). Will update after tomorrow service visit.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Good luck!

 

[Stormrunner77]

Just got back from the dealership, the wiring harness was replaced, additionally my multi-function switch was replaced (no more ghost wipers ) and one of the bolts on the driver's side seat. Tried to use cruise again being as I've got a decent stretch to highway to use for test.. same thing though . Turns on, hit set, dash light comes on, but it acts like it doesn't want to keep the speed. Guess it's time to start looking into other causes. Thanks for all the great feedback as I work through this.

 

[Joe Dirt]

So they put the harness on but did not replace the switch, correct?

I'd start there, if you have a pick 'n pull junkyard near you, you can probably get one for a couple of bucks. Or, they are online new for ~ $20

 

[bobflood]

I assume that it works off vacuum to move the throttle. Check to make sure that the vacuum line is still hooked up and that it moves the diaphram,

 

[Stormrunner77]

So they put the harness on but did not replace the switch, correct?

I'd start there, if you have a pick 'n pull junkyard near you, you can probably get one for a couple of bucks. Or, they are online new for ~ $20

Correct - the wiring harness was swapped out in the engine compartment, but the switches on the steering wheel remain the same.

With the way junkyards / pick 'n pulls are around here with the Texas heat/sun I was considering just getting those online so that it would be a brand new set.

 

[Joe Dirt]

What they did is add a fuseable link harness to your truck, so if the switch is bad, it still won't work. Theory now is, if the switch is junk, it's telling the CC that you tapped the brake and not allowing the CC unit to engage. Probably a good idea to get a new switch at this point, since the switch was what is causing the fires. There are sellers on eBay selling a new switch and the cruise harness as a set...

I think rockauto.com also sells just the switch. They give a forum discount, so if you need a few other things, you can get them at the same time and save some shipping...

 

[Stormrunner77]

What they did is add a fuseable link harness to your truck, so if the switch is bad, it still won't work. Theory now is, if the switch is junk, it's telling the CC that you tapped the brake and not allowing the CC unit to engage. Probably a good idea to get a new switch at this point, since the switch was what is causing the fires. There are sellers on eBay selling a new switch and the cruise harness as a set...

I think rockauto.com also sells just the switch. They give a forum discount, so if you need a few other things, you can get them at the same time and save some shipping...

Just so I can make sure I'm thinking of the right part are you meaning the small threaded metal piece that the harness connects to:

or:

If this was my '00 Dakota I would be more confident, but it's been longer than I would have expected to be working on a Ford. Last Ford I had was a '95 Ranger XLT. Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yes- the metal sensor.

Your switches should be fine, since if the light comes on, on the instrument cluster- the switches are sending the "cruise set" signal to the unit. Ford Cruise (on older cars and trucks) don't illuminate unless the system is active, so we know the signal is getting there.