Cruise Control Problem

1998 Ext Cab 5MT, TRD , SR5, 148,000 miles

I use cruise control a lot to help with the mpgs.

Within the last couple of months I would notice that the cruise control wouldn't set. Seemingly randomly. For most of the time, 90% approx, it works fine. But there are days where it won't set.

During the malfunction, I can turn it on (eg push the button in on the side and have the "cruise" light up on the dash), but when I go to set it, nothing happens. I can turn the cruise off and try again and same thing. I can turn the truck off, and again same thing.

But the next day, it'll work fine.

So it's randomly intermittent.

Any ideas?

 

Hmmm. Interested in outcome.

When mine went out it was my spiral cable. Yours sounds like a different problem.

Good luck.

 

Must be the weather. Mine just quit working too, but when I try to set the cruise light starts blinking like it has a code or something.

 

Just a thought, but have you checked the cruise cutout switch? Maybe backed off or not making contact/sticking?

 

That sounds like a very legit question and/or suggestion.

Mind telling me where to even begin diagnosing that?

 

Clutch pedal has two switches on it. The one furthest from the firewall on the front of the pedal is the cruise switch. The switch is a simple two prong contact switch. The button on the front of the switch is depressed when the clutch is released. When the cruise is in operation and you press the clutch the cruise will disengage (sp?).

The switch adjusts using a lock nut and threads through the bracket for the clutch pedal.

Just was thinking that perhaps the clutch pedal is not returning all the way sometimes and as such the switch button is not being pushed or pushed enough to allow cruise operation. Either that or the switch might be loose and not adjusted out enough now to contact all the way OR perhaps the switch is going bad/dirty/sticking or has a loose plug connection.

Simple enough to check it. First thing is look up and see the switch on the front of the pedal. Operate the clutch pedal by hand and see if it sometimes sticks and does not come up all the way to contact the switch as it should.

If all fine and the switch is not loose and not backed off so it is not contacting then I'd take the switch out and test it with a vohm and see if it operates as it should. Looks to be a simple open/closed switch so hook up to test continuity and operate the button on it.

Not looked at a wiring diagram to see what direction you should have continuity, but basically you should have it with the button in one position and then not have it with the button in the other position.

Anyway just a thought on a possible cure. Hope it helps. As I said, not looked at a wiring diagram or system diagnostic, but first thought was might be the switch.

Cheers

 

Thank you kind sir. Will definitely check this out today.

Cheers

 

good luck to you .

 

The clutch is my problem, also. I just pull up the pedal with my foot, and it sets the cruise like normal. I should quit being so lazy and fix it.

 

As others have said it is likely a clutch switch issue. Another easy thing to check would be your brake light fuse. My brake light fuse went out on my second gen and the cruise control acted up as you describe.

 

Thats what mine was doing i replaced it and it works like a charm!

 

You just replaced the switch?

Do you have a part number?

Thanks

 

Looked at ToyotaPartszone to get the number quickly for you.

Looks like clutch switch assembly is 88280-14030 looking under the cruise heading.

Only takes a few minutes to check out the old one though so hate to have you buy a part you maybe don't need. If your clutch pedal is not coming all the way up then that is a different issue that needs to be fixed. If it does not come all the way up then it will not push the plunger in enough perhaps to allow clutch operation. Worth taking a look before buying the parts. Toyota parts zone wants $15.xx for it plus ship.

 

Totally would diagnose it before buying parts.

Thanks so much for your help. I love TW

Cheers

 

So I just went out and here's what I found:

The connection to the switch is solid.

If I depress the clutch pedal and push on the switch with my finger, it's flawless.

When I release the clutch and it returns to the up-most position it appears as though it might be right at a position that would sometime depress the switch a little or sometimes not. I believe I need to adjust the switch so it extends towards the firewall a tad more. But when I tried, I couldn't adjust the threads whatsoever. There's a nut on the "dash" side of the bracket and something else (a larger nut?) on the "firewall" side of the bracket. Wtfuxxor do I need to do?

Unless the switch is just on the fritz, I foresee the above as my problem. I guess I can always put my foot behind the clutch pedal and push it up a little more to see if that'll engage the cruise control

 

The firewall side nut should be made onto your bracket. The nut that is on the dash side towards the switch side is the lock nut side. Loosen this nut and you can screw the switch body to adjust as needed. Then hold in place and tighten the lock nut.

Hope that cures it!

Cheers

 

Man almighty.... the little bastid doesn't want to move.

 

I replaced the spring

 

Locknut loose? Once it is loose the switch should screw in through the bracket to adjust. Just grab the body of the switch where the plug goes in the back and turn to tighten it in. The wiring harness will twist around, but if you are not, but a turn or so off, should not be a problem to leave it plugged in. Then hold the switch in place and tighten the lock nut.

The nut closest to the dash that is on the dash side of the bracket (towards the driver in other words) is the lock nut on my 95. Yours being the year it is should be the same from what I can see.

 

The cluth peddle does have a lot to do with it but check out your clock spring my Toyota was Doig the same thing I jumped from the cruise control module on the lower a pillar on pass side to the switch and got the light to come on