2008 Tacoma Cruise Control Completely Dead

Believe me, I searched.

I have a 2008 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4 cylinder 2wd auto transmission access cab.

A few months ago the cruise control stopped working completely. The light does not come on in the dashboard, the cruise control does not engage or even attempt to engage. I purchased this truck used from a Toyota dealership back in 2011 so I assume the cruise control is from factory and not aftermarket.

There is no blinking light like some users here report, on mine the cruise control system is completely dead.

The only thing that came up on my search is the spiral cable replacement. Unfortunately my truck is a 2008 and not a 2009 like the recall lists.

Any ideas on what could be wrong? Anyone had the same issue as me and was able to get it fixed? If so, how much did it cost you and what was wrong?

Thanks

 

Did you check the fuse?

 

I would like to add that I am not having any other electrical issues what so ever with the truck, such as a dead horn or dead lights like other users have reported, my only electrical issue is the dead cruise control.

I have searched to try and find which fuse or fuses exactly I should check on the cruise control, and have had no luck. Do you know which ones I need to look at specifically?

My power outlets stopped working 2 weeks ago and luckily it was only a fuse, but there was a specific fuse for that one.

Thank you

 

I have the same issue in my 2008... For me it's not a fuse issue (and sorry I dont remember which one off hand it is), instead it's the actual cruise control lever system in my steering column. Have gotten quotes from dealerships and it's too much $ to justify getting fixed... I've been running without CC for a year or so now.

Let me know if you find a cheap solution.

 

Did they give you a free diagnostic and quote?

 

I'm not sure which one it is sorry. The manual should have that though. However as @HABOOBS said it could be something else. But it's still the first place I'd check.

 

Free quote... Truck was getting something else done so the diagnostic was taken care of.

 

A few years ago I lost the cruise on my 08. Coincidentally I found this green plastic piece on my driver side floor. The issue turned out to simply be a mechanical one located under the dash. I stuck a bolt in place of where this piece broke off and it has been fine since. It was located at a switch.

 

Can you share more info about this? Where was this plastic piece located? Maybe send us a photo of the bolt replacement? Doubtful, but crossing my fingers that this is my issue. Haha.

 

That would be epic.

 

If you follow the clutch pedal assembly up under the dash, you come to a transverse process. It is there to engage with a switch that pushes inward. In the centre of that transverse process is a hole that the green piece covered over. With it snapped out the switch would fail to engage and the CC would not work.

I stuck a long-ish bolt through the hole from the top to cover it so that switch would engage. It solved my issue, though I am not sure yours is the same. I believe my Cruise light on the dash was still lighting.

Below you can see the bolt. This photo is taken up the clutch pedal. I am a 6speed manual, obviously(just noticed in your OP that you are an auto)

 

I'll have to look into this... you're right though... I'd assume my light would still illuminate when hitting the CC lever/button. Hmmmm.... Still curious. Good to know.

 

Is your air bag light on?

Mine is a 2005 with air bag light on, cruise won't light up or work from time to time. New spiral cable just came in, so I'll be swapping that soon

 

No Christmas tree lights of any kind.

 

Maybe your spiral cable lost the cruise function first, rather than the air bag. Electronics can be a pain to diagnose

 

I'm taking the truck in to the dealer to get the infamous valve cover gasket replaced. I will ask them to diagnose my cruise control and let you know what they come up with. I'll know by TH next week.

 

Most likely a bad clock spring. That was the problem with mine. It is a common replacement part for faulty cruise control issues. About $20 for the part on Amazon, but I got the air bag issue; may likely be fixed by splicing the old connectors.

 

Dealership says $110 just to diagnose it so I'm going to think about it and get back to them on Thursday when I take it.

Is that difficult to replace?

Was your cruise control completely dead as well or did the light turn on?

Did you fix it yourself? If not how much did it cost you?

 

Not too difficult. The air bag connectors are the most tricky part. You pop up the middle section and connectors slide out. Mine began to function intermittently until it stopped working. Cruise light did not light up when cruise control did not engage. Yes, I replaced myself with $20 Chinese knock-off. Cruise control now works but air bag light is on. Some people, as I did, report faulty connectors to the air bag; they don't engage fully. I think it can be fixed if I splice in the old connectors. Will work on that some day son. Have been driving like this for 4 months now. I know, bad....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_xbKtQgVwQ

 

That's the video I'll be using here shortly. I bought an eBay clock spring for $30 and I'm giving it a whirl. My dealer wanted over $400 Canadian for a Toyota one. No way I'd pay that.