2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dodge Ram Intermittent Cruise control problem

[MadMaximus]

I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with over 250k miles on it.
I am currently trying to track down a very intermittent cruise control problem.
The cruise control will work anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes.
I recently wen through all the engine and body grounds and made sure they were all good.
I have replaced the brake pedal switch recently.

I cannot seem to find the issue, it seems random.

The behavior is this, I start the truck, drive down the road, turn on the cruise control set the speed. Speed holds just fine until the problem occurs at which time it simply cuts out and the cruise control display goes out and a code is thrown, Speed control circuit.

Any ideas on what could be causing this and how to fix it? Never realized how much I used the cruise control until it stopped working reliably.

 

[Ozymandias]

Subscribed, same problem with my truck. Can't figure it out.

 

[GAmes]

I've encountered the same problem. On a 12 valve the Engine Speed Sensor (ESS) circuit is tied into the cruise control. On mine the connector would vibrate enough for the ESS to drop out, for a mini second and cruise would drop out. Perhaps one of the sensor connectors isn't making good contact internally. I fixed mine with a dab of dielectric grease.

 

[MadMaximus]

On my 24v I actually replaced the cam pos sensor a few years ago, due to engine codes it was throwing, the wiring harness is in excellent condition, thanks to the fact that this truck has never been driven up in what I call the salt belt.

I have started to notice a possible pattern with this, that may help me track it down. With this truck their are buttons under the regular cruise control buttons on the sides of the steering wheel. I think these might be the issue.

One of the last times it cut out I had just repositioned my hands inside the open areas on each side of the steering wheel inside the "ring", and had accidentally hit one of those buttons. It was not cancelling the cruise control though, it caused it to error because it would not re - engaged and through a code.

The 2 times i have driven it since then, I have purposely only gripped the ring of the steering wheel and stayed away from touching those side buttons, and both times I drove it the cruise control functioned normally and did not cut out.

The next time I drive it, I am going to set the cruise and then purposely bump those buttons and see if I can force the problem to occur, if I can, then I will have found the cause.

I will post back with my findings once I have them.

 

[MadMaximus]

Well, that did not do it. I drove for a couple of hours, did all sorts of things, the cruise control functioned flawlessly.

I did replace the break pedal switch a few years ago and that fixed this last time it happened, so I did that again recently, but it did not fix it, but tonight it worked flawlessly, so now, I am not sure where to go from here tracking this down.

 

[Ozymandias]

Well, that did not do it. I drove for a couple of hours, did all sorts of things, the cruise control functioned flawlessly.

I did replace the break pedal switch a few years ago and that fixed this last time it happened, so I did that again recently, but it did not fix it, but tonight it worked flawlessly, so now, I am not sure where to go from here tracking this down.

Welcome to my world, fighting that for the last ten years, can't figure it out as it is totally random and does not set any codes.
A key cycle always resets it back into working state till the next occurrence.

 

[MadMaximus]

Welcome to my world, fighting that for the last ten years, can't figure it out as it is totally random and does not set any codes.
A key cycle always resets it back into working state till the next occurrence.

I wish we could get a hold of the engineer who designed that system and get some insight into what might be going on.

 

[LorenStrodtman]

I once had an issue with my cruise control that was caused because a wire was shorting out to the dipstick tube.
Most every other such issue I have had in the past has not occurred since I lowered my alternating current level (W-T mod, with further reductions later on with the new alternator). I have ~362k miles on the truck.

 

[MadMaximus]

I once had an issue with my cruise control that was caused because a wire was shorting out to the dipstick tube.
Most every other such issue I have had in the past has not occurred since I lowered my alternating current level (W-T mod, with further reductions later on with the new alternator). I have ~362k miles on the truck.

Can you give me more information on this current mod and what caused you to go down that road?

 

[Topzide]

Here's the link; https://mopar1973man.com/cummins/ar...ectrical/w-t-ground-wire-mod-simplified-r574/

 

[LorenStrodtman]

Can you give me more information on this current mod and what caused you to go down that road?

Like you I was having weird electrical issues. I was a member both here and at Mopar1973man.com, and when W-T came up with this article and procedure I decided to try it. Just so you know, it's a long-winded affair like a college lecture. If I ever buy another 2nd Gen that hasn't had this done it'll be one of the first things I do to the truck even if it has zero electrical issues (yet).
https://mopar1973man.com/cummins/ar...erence-vp44ecmpcmpdc-plus-tc-lockunlock-r567/

 

[bry1216]

Hi, Wondering why I cannot access either link listed above?
I am a member of TDR and Mopar1973.

 

[Topzide]

Just clicked on them and they work. Not sure what might be happening?

 

[Ozymandias]

Same here, works flawless with the links.
Must be a problem with your Browser and/or Firewall settings.

 

[bry1216]

Same here, works flawless with the links.
Must be a problem with your Browser and/or Firewall settings.

Thank you! It doesn't work in Google but does in Edge!

 

[Timd32]

Never connected the dots on what the W-T was on that mod. Finally clicked, as many probably already had known it's the name of the member who created the mod over there.

 

[petersonj]

W-T

"William Timothey Burke" - a very knowledgeable man.

- John