Wierd cruise control problem

[gdog]

Hi,
This is my first post, but I have used the forums quite a bit for troubleshooting ideas, etc. and really appreciate all of the help it's been.

In any case, here is my problem. I have a 98 Sport with the OHV engine. A few weeks ago my cruise control crapped out and I just sort of left it alone since most of my driving is in the city. However, I noticed on a camping trip last weekend that the cruise works when I'm pulling my tent trailer. What gives?

 

[Cali' Explorer]

Well, definitely need more information. When you say that your cruise control "Crapped Out", what exactly do you mean?

Just from your basic description here it sounds like there might be an intermittent connection somewhere in your Cruise Control setup (Could that possibly also be a bad clock spring? Not sure). So, sometimes the cruise control either will deactivate randomely or it won't activate properly in the first place.

I had a similar issue with my X a while back. Whenever I would have cruise control on, if I used a turn signal the cruise control would cut out. In my case, the issue is actually the turn signal. Over time, the signal contacts wear funny and don't get a proper seat. When this happens,the turn signal causes a power spike everytime that it is turned on. Since the Steering Column controls for the Cruise Control are on the same line, it had the effect of doing odd things with the cruise control (typically shutting cruise control off when its on).

 

[gdog]

When I say crapped out, I mean does not engage. Since I've owned the vehicle, the cruise light has never worked (in fact, I didn't think it had one, because all of the others do light up), so I don't know if it's an electrical problem or not.

I have a bit of a commute on a highway, so I try the cruise switch fairly often, in the hopes that the problem will magically fix itself. Literally the only time it works is when I'm pulling the trailer, and it has worked consistently both times when I've had trailer attached. It never works when the trailer is not attached.

Any ideas on where to start troubleshooting based on this?

Thanks again.

 

[budwich]

First make sure ALL your fuses are OK.

 

[gdog]

First make sure ALL your fuses are OK.

That was the first thing I did. A faulty fuse would prevent the cruise control from working in ALL situations, not in just some.

All that I'm wondering is what people think about why it would work when I'm pulling a trailer, but not work when I'm not pulling a load.

 

[FROADER]

Check this thread and make sure that's not the problem.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144642&highlight=cruise+control+recall