Wasting money on the cruise control!

I know it's nobodies fault but my own! I tolerated an intermittent cruise control on my 2008 Tacoma 4X4 for months. Sometime the cruise control would power on, sometimes not. Sometimes when it powered on it would work normal, sometimes it would power on and not set or engage a cruise speed when selected. Did a little online research (should have done a better job diagnosing the mx problem) and started with replacing the cruise control switch. Nope. The issue remained the same. So, next replaced the "clock spring" (using OEM parts) and nothing. So far, as of today, the cruise control switch hasn't been able to power the system since I replaced the clock spring. I'll try it over the next several days to see if it's done for good or resumes the intermittent issue. The only component (to my limited knowledge) in the steering column not replaced is the small wire bundle that connects the new cruise control switch to the new clock spring and contacts the horn. Visually, the wires looked fine. The horn works, and all other controls, like volume control on the steering wheel work fine and always have. Any suggestions what else needs to be checked?

 

Manual transmission or automatic? The switch on the pedal could be out of adjustment.

 

Automatic

 

Was the new clockspring an oem unit, or Chinese knock-off? If Chinese, get another one; I’ve had them go bad out of the box.

 

Both the new cruise control switch and the clock spring are OEM parts. I thought, “buy once cry once”. Well, didn’t matter probably because throwing parts at the problem wasn’t the best plan.

 

So you can't turn the cruise light on with the switch or engage it or the light comes on but it won't engage?
Any codes set?

 

There are a lot of other factors that affect whether cruise control will work. I printed out a few pages from my FSM (2013) - note that it's not the entire section (it would be too many pages).

 

I don't have the means to check codes, yet. So, to answer Dm93's question, I don't truly know if there are codes. I can say at least there are no unusual lights on the display panel.

Tak1313-thanks for the document showing the components of the Cruise Control. ECM is a possible suspect after looking at the diagram and reading the trouble shooting section. Before I replace that, I'll probably let a "trained" mechanic diagnose it. They are pricey.

 

Yesterday, the switch would power the CC system, but wouldn't SET a speed when selected. After replacing the Clock/Coil Spring, the switch no longer powers the system. But, this is what has been going on for months with the CC. Sometimes I'd get in and drive and have a fully functioning CC. Next day, CC might power on but not SET a cruise speed OR might not power up at all that day. Next day, CC fully functional, maybe for several drives. Next day, back to not powering at all or showing ON but not engaging.

 

Based on your initial post:

Sometimes when it powered on it would work normal, sometimes it would power on and not set...started with replacing the cruise control switch...cruise control switch hasn't been able to power the system since I replaced the clock spring

TO ME, that says there was nothing wrong with everything from the stalk, through the clock spring (though the CS could have had an intermittent break that acted up when the steering wheel was turned), through the wiring to the ECU. What was likely happening as eluded by others is another sensor/circuit was intermittently preventing the cruise to set even though it was turned on.

When you replaced the stalk, the fact that it was at least turning on keeps with that fact. THEN you changed the clock spring, and it stopped even turning on.

TO ME, that means it's the wrong clock spring, bad clock spring (even new parts can be faulty at time), clock spring is installed or hooked up incorrectly, or you may have damaged the wiring/connections.

It's easy to test - the clock spring is essentially a long set of wires. Measure the input to the output and make sure there is continuity all the way through - including checking with the steering wheel in various positions.

If there is continuity, there is really one ONE wire for the cruise that connects the stalk to the CS to the ECU. The ECU determines when to turn on, set, etc. based on the resistance it sees from the stalk through that one wire.

Check for continuity from the CS out to the pin on the ECU as well.

Until you make sure the signal is getting from the stalk, through the CS, and to the ECU, you really can't diagnose anything else.

After that, it should AT LEAST turn on. If it turns on but doesn't set, it is more likely another sensor/circuit that is saying "yeah, I know you want to set the cruise, but I'm having a problem over hear, so too bad."

The fact that it at least USED to turn on (but not set) means it's less likely to be the ECU itself.

 

Well, I'm not a very thorough mechanic! After reading tak1313 posted above, I got to my Multimeter to test continuity of the wire between the Coil/Clock Spring and the CC switch and behold, I failed to plug the connection between the new CS and Switch. Once properly finished, all works like it should! Test drove the truck and all functionality of the CC works as well as all control switches on the steering wheel and no airbag lights presented. So, unless the "intermittent" problem returns, I believe it is fixed and the CS was the culprit. Lessons learned: I'm not a great mechanic; I'm grateful for this forum and those that replied. If the problem returns, I'll post again. My thanks again to tak1313, dm93, chuy, and HAVOC.

 

Glad you got it sorted out. This is why I love this forum!

 

Wait, you hadn't plugged it in?? Man, I'm glad I'm not the only one!