2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cruise control button

[SRath]

The cruise on my '96 still works perfectly. The only real problem it has always had, and it is gradually getting worse, is the "on/Off" button on the steering wheel requires numerous jabs, pounding, wiggling and so forth before it will actuate. That is the only button with any contact issues. It is beginning to get a little loose after so much unreasonable force over all these years.



I have never had the steering wheel on this truck, or any airbag vehicle, off, so I don't know what to do or not do or if it is even a fixable problem. Any suggestions?



(and what's with that wimpy, worthless green "on" indicator led that does not show up in daylight. . ?)

 

[fest3er]

If you are careful and patient, you can take the fascia off the wheel and remove the switch assembly. You may be able to dismantle it or at least squirt some contact cleaner into it.

While it's out, you should verify the resistances with an ohm meter to ensure they are within spec. You'll probably need a '96 SM to get the specs; they may not be the same year-to-year.

 

[DJAustin]

I did not have to take the fascia off to get mine off. Found that the contacts inside basically fell apart. A replacement several years ago cost me about $70. 00.

 

[ewcmr2]

Mine has been doing the same thing for years.

If I push the power button AND the set/coast button at the same time it'll usually turn on with 1-3 tries.

 

[Skydiver]

Mine has been doing the same thing for years.
If I push the power button AND the set/coast button at the same time it'll usually turn on with 1-3 tries.

Same here, I just live with it.
My radio volume knob also has a mind of its on. Down sometimes up and up means down.

 

[GAmes]

I don't know about the '96, but on a '97 replacement is simple. Two or three screws from behind the steering wheel, IIRC they are stars. All the switches come as a unit.

 

[WDixon27]

2 screw from the back on my 96, not hard to take apart and clean contacts but they crap up again, depends on how much i use it, constant use and they work in a couple presses but if it goes a while they pizz me off

 

[HHhuntitall]

LOL, yeah, it's a bad design. The switch face sits out and upward, so any dust, dirt, grime, etc. is trapped and forced into the switch assembly. Mine worked fine for many years, but I let my mother drive it one time, and she spilled a Dr Pepper, just a bit, and guess where it went. Any idea how sticky and corrosive that crap is, especially after sitting for several weeks, not knowing it's in there? She wiped it all off and washed it, but didn't bother to tell me it had happened. I'm pretty anal about my old trucks, so I can't blame her. Thing still doesn't work right. A new switch may be the ticket, but I'm too tight. I'll keep cleaning it. The last time it worked over a year. I put some dialectric grease in it, and it's seemed to help quite a bit until it filled up with dirt. I live "out here" if you know what I mean, and it's impossible to keep dirt out of it. Seems the best solution would be a different switch, but what's available? Are the replacements built any different?

 

[Rogan]

I just went to the junkyard today, and got a replacement switch for my 96, for five bucks.

two phillips screws, and bam! replaced it and cruise control functionality is back