Reasons Your Cruise Control Is Not Working
There are a few automotive features that, once you've experienced life with them, you simply can't go without them. Once you know the convenience of remote engine start, climate-controlled seats and Bluetooth smartphone control? There's just no going back.
Cruise control is one such feature! Especially on long road trips, cruise control helps you focus on the road ahead and other vehicles without worrying about modulating your speed. But, what if the cruise control in your vehicle isn't working? Avoid cramping calf muscles and enjoy a more relaxing journey at the Archer Volkswagen service center. We can fix your car's cruise control when it stops working. On this page, we'll tell you the four most common reasons that a car's cruise control might quit on you.
4. Bad Clock Spring
Hidden behind the steering wheel, the clock spring is a wound ribbon cable that connects all the gadgets in your steering wheel to the electrical system. It allows the wheel to rotate in its full range of motion while still providing a connection for the driver's airbag, audio controls, the horn -- and the cruise control settings.
If the clock spring has become damaged or disconnected, it can interrupt the connection to the cruise control system, so it can't be turned on. You may need a new clock spring installed.
If your steering wheel audio controls and horn won't work, and the airbag warning light has come on, that likely means the clock spring has been disconnected. You should get this component replaced to fix your cruise control and, more importantly, the driver's airbag!
3. Severed Cruise Control Cable
On many vehicles, the cruise control features a mechanical linkage between the cruise control system and the throttle body. A vacuum-actuated system will pull on a cable to open or close the butterfly valve on the throttle body to increase or decrease speed as necessary to keep you at the desired speed. If the linkage is mechanical, your cruise control can stop working if that cable becomes disconnected or severed. One of our talented technicians can take a quick look under the hood to find out if your car's cruise control cable has broken.
2. Vacuum Leak
In a vacuum-actuated cruise control system, vacuum pressure is adjusted by the engine control unit, which then pulls on the cable mentioned in the section above. That means a vacuum leak can cause the system to stop working. In that case, you may need to have key components of your car's cruise control system replaced with new ones.
1. Faulty Electronic Sensors
On a car with a modern cruise control system, a fault in the engine computer or a bad speed sensor can prevent your cruise control from working. A bad speed sensor won't tell the system your current speed, so it won't have the information needed to adjust your throttle. The engine computer also may need to be reset or recalibrated.
Furthermore, the latest Volkswagen vehicles are equipped with cutting-edge Adaptive Cruise Control technology. Not only will it maintain a desired speed, it'll automatically slow down and maintain a safe distance from traffic ahead if it's moving slower than the speed you set. When the flow of traffic speeds up, the vehicle will automatically accelerate up to the speed you chose. Such technology can stop working if the necessary sensors are blocked by debris, damaged in an accident or fail electronically.
Whenever you get service on advanced driver assistance technologies like Adaptive Cruise Control, you'll want the assistance of our factory-trained service team at the Archer VW service center. Only VW-certified technicians have the right tools, experience and know-how to carry out repairs to these sophisticated systems the right way. Stop by soon for a multi-point inspection at no additional charge!