Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Cruise Control broke? ?

[Jeff H]

Yesterday it kicked out. I can't get it to work anymore. I have not had a chance to look at it yet. What should I look for?

 

[Joe G.]

The servo is under the driver's side battery box. Check to see that the vacuum line to it is ok. That is the most common cause of cruise control failure on a '95. I see in your sig that you have Optima batteries. Did the previous batteries leak? If so, then the battery acid may have damaged the vacuum line. Hard to see because of the woven cover over the line.

 

[RVPILOT]

cruise control

Did your's go out all of a sudden or show some warning signs?. Mine seems to be slowing down, that is when I input a command it takes about 20 sec's or so to respond, and when I go over a rough spot it kicks out. any help would be appreaciated

 

[JohnG]

Cruise control vac line

I confirm what Joe G. says. When I bought my 2nd '95, the cruise didn't work. I found the vac line broken below the Batt box. A prev. batt had leaked badly all over the fender well and I suspect that was the cause. (new vac line about $7 wholesale at the dealer). I found it almost impossible to replace the line without removing the batt tray. (the cruise 'dashpot' is bolted to the side/underside of the drivers side batt box, and hard to reach when all in place), although removing the tray is not too hard, and prob the way to go. ('cept the 2 nuts underside of the fender well are a small pain). In case you're wondering, the small gizmo forward of the 'dashpot' on the flat spot of fender well w/ elect. connection, is the air bag sensor. (there's one on each side of the truck). And the 2 solenoids inboard and down from the batt box, are the grid heater relays. I just added that for any other folks out there, like me, that are still learning what all this stuff is under the hood. . I dismantled all that stuff to clean up and repaint the acid damaged area of the fender and just HAD to figure out what it was, I was taking apart. . JohnG

 

[Jeff H]

I'll take a look at it some time this week. But ya the old batteries made a big mess under there.

It did just stop working going down the road. I thought the motor died on me.

 

[Boomer II]

What JoeG and JohnG said, same here.

 

[SBozeman]

Try spraying TPS with contact cleaner. Mine has worked ever since.

 

[Jeff H]

Well the vacum line is o. k.

The linkage is o. k.

No blown fuse.

Not sure what TPS is? Throttle posision Sensor??

Wires look in good condition.

Book says to check speed sensor. Wheres this?

 

[Andy Morrison]

I bet you need a new servo. I replaced mine and all cruise problems went away. About $50 at the dealer and easy install.





Andy

 

[Deezul1]

Speed sensor is in the rear end on top. 1 bolt removes it, try cleaning it . It didnt do anything on my 96 but then I never got that one to work. My 97 had the vacum line rot from acid. The line can be pulled from the rubber connecting boot , cut off damaged part and shove it back in the boot if its long enough and it works fine,

 

[JJW_ND]

Wires in the Steering wheel

I had problems with the tiny wires that come from the steering wheel buttons right where the steering wheel pivots when you adjust the wheel up and down. A couple ended up breaking off there.



If you remove the plastic housing that is right behind the steering wheel (flasher button is on the top part) you can see the wires pretty easy. If all is find there and you do have a lit green light on your steerring wheel they should not be the problem.



jjw

ND

 

[gcarthel]

More wires... ...



I agree with JJW-ND My wires were also broken were they bend when steering wheel is moved up and down. One way to possibly check this is to try engaging the cruise control with the steering wheel in different positions and if it works in a different position, then move the steering wheel up and down, if the cruise disengages then it is the little wire under the bottom steering wheel cover

 

[DMC]

I have to put my foot under the brake pedal and pull it up a little to get the cruise to engauge. I've tried to adjust the brake pedal switch but didn't get it just right.



Good Luck



Don

 

[JohnE]

OK Jeff, I've been under your hood and saw first hand the carnage from your previous batteries and winter driving. My bet is servo unit and rotted vacuum lines.

I only paid $35 for a servo unit from local Dodge dealer. Still in the box, too. I misplaced the cable and mounting bracket.

 

[rncordy]

Well the vacum line is o. k.

The linkage is o. k.

No blown fuse.

Not sure what TPS is? Throttle posision Sensor??

Wires look in good condition.

Book says to check speed sensor. Wheres this?

My cruise control crapped out today. Where is the darn fuse??

 

[95Cummins12Valve]

I replaced all my vacuum lines when my cruise stopped working and my dash vents stopped blowing, it solved both problems, check the vac line near the turbo, it may have gotten hot and cracked, I used silicone hose for all mine and I've had no problems since.

 

[RLaJeunesse]

I also had same problem, but the fix was the brake switch.

 

[rncordy]

Many thanks. I tried the two easiest TDR member tips yesterday, lifting the brake pedal and adjusting the steering wheel tilt. Lifting the brake worked!!

 

[RWorth]

Would the green light still come on, when turning the cruise control on, before you lifted the brake pedal or after the brake pedal lift.

The light on mine will not come on so I guess I will start checking the wires under the plastic.

 

[rncordy]

Before the "lift pedal" solution, the green light did not come on. It does now. Good luck!