Cruise control button/switch always lit

[Dragrad]

Got to the car yesterday evening and when I started up (always a good sign ) I noticed that the cruise control button was lit and the system was active. Not used the cruise for some time as the roads around here are useless to use it on. I could not switch it off Any ideas before I start ripping it all apart? ....

All releveant comments would be appreciated.....

[daznkel]

Possibly switch failure. I would have thought it was not very common, but not impossible either!

May be worth a £10 punt on ebay for a replacement first before attempting to find a wiring fault.

[Dragrad]

Originally Posted by daznkel

Possibly switch failure. I would have thought it was not very common, but not impossible either!

Seeing as I had not used the switch for months, why/how could it happen? After all it is a 'mechanical' switch ?? However I could have inadvertently struck it, but not knowingly....

[daznkel]

Originally Posted by Dragrad

Seeing as I had not used the switch for months, why/how could it happen? After all it is a 'mechanical' switch ?? However I could have inadvertently struck it, but not knowingly....

As you said, it could have been struck or liquid spilled. However, as far as I can remember, maybe wrong, the switch itself is still electrical, operated by a rubber push button, similar to the key fob button switches. Probably a latching type.
I just thought it a more likely failure than the wiring itself.

[Dragrad]

Originally Posted by daznkel

As you said, it could have been struck or liquid spilled. However, as far as I can remember, maybe wrong, the switch itself is still electrical, operated by a rubber push button, similar to the key fob button switches. Probably a latching type.
I just thought it a more likely failure than the wiring itself.

Point taken and I will look into it on the 'morrow, although no liquids have been near it. Thank you for your response

[David Lawrence]

Originally Posted by Dragrad

Got to the car yesterday evening and when I started up (always a good sign ) I noticed that the cruise control button was lit and the system was active. Not used the cruise for some time as the roads around here are useless to use it on. I could not switch it off Any ideas before I start ripping it all apart? ....

All releveant comments would be appreciated.....

On both my cars the cruise switch usually takes a few goes before it finally latches on, i take this as a sign the switches are not great quality. Oddly though i would have thought they need a pulse to activate them rather than a solid contact which is what i imagine you would have if the switch was faulty.

Does the cruise actually work when you set it? Just wondering if it is like the brake lights, and the light comes permanently on to tell you a fuse has gone.

[RoverDan]

I've had some photos kicking around for a few weeks and forgot to do anything with them. I had the same symptoms David described - needed to prod the cruise switch several times to get the green light to come on, particularly when cold. Might help the OP too.

I took the switch apart, cleaned the legs of the contact switch, then reassembled. Working fine now

Remove switch from console. Pry with a fine screwdriver to release the push button (tabs marked red) and the sleeve over the switch (tabs marked blue):



Now you see the switch unit behind the push button. Note the orientation - it is handed, and there are tiny alignment pins, but a gorilla could force it back together the wrong way round



Pull the switch unit out, it is held loosely in place by the sprung contacts/legs:



I degreased the legs with a bit of alcohol, then cleaned them with fine wire wool, taking care not to spring them inwards. If anything you may want to spring them out a fraction if the switch body is loose.

Fuzzy picture below, but note the two gold contacts with white plastic between. The contacts are sprung and the white plastic holds them apart; when you push the push button that orange LED/white plastic is pushed down so the gold contacts touch only whilst the button is pushed. So I see it as a pulse type switch, it doesn't latch into an on or off state.

[Dragrad]

Originally Posted by David Lawrence

Does the cruise actually work when you set it? Just wondering if it is like the brake lights, and the light comes permanently on to tell you a fuse has gone.

Yes the light is on continuously when the ignition is on and normal cruise functions are there. Just will not switch off......

Anyway a kind member is sending me a switch so that I can try to see if it is indeed the issue. (Never got the chance to fiddle today).

[rich17865]

I modified the wiring to the switch on my diesel, and my fathers, so that cruise is active with the ignition and doesn't need pressing. Obviously the clutch and brake switches still work.