Cruise Control Works Intermittently

[mattjones]

So my cruise control has really been acting up recently. In the past month or so I've noticed that it won't always activate when I first start driving to work in the morning. The light on the steering wheel will turn on, but when I pretty "Set," nothing happens. The weird thing is that it will start working later.

At first I thought maybe it had something to do with the truck needing to warm up, but I've realized that can't be it. Things got really frustrating yesterday when I took a day trip down to Charlottesville (about 2 hours each way) and the cruise control just wouldn't work for good portions of the drive. It's really annoying because I tend to get better gas mileage when I leave the cruise on (unless I'm going up hills).

I know Stabilitrak can turn the cruise control off but I'm pretty sure that's not the problem. If the cruise control works, it will stay on. The problem is only that I sometimes can't turn it on. Any ideas what could be causing this?

 

[Wakinvol]

There is a switch in the brake pedal that is notorious for going out. Easy do it yourself fix.

 

[mattjones]

There is a switch in the brake pedal that is notorious for going out. Easy do it yourself fix.

Any chance you can elaborate on that a bit more?

 

[Goodinblack]

Parking brake not fully released will do it too.

 

[Wakinvol]

Elaborate... in simple terms there is a switch mechanism attached to the brake pedal. It has a tendency to go bad. It removes fairly easily and the new one replaces it. It is up under the dash near the firewall. About the size of a small matchbox.

 

[AZSCTACO]

Search "Brake Light switch" and you will find your answer and part number and a "How to" thread.

Good luck