Why Your Cruise Control Isn't Working
Cruise control has come a long way. But what if your cruise control isn't working anymore? This can be a common problem, especially with older vehicles and if you don't know how to fix it, look no further!
Do you have cruise control, and it isn't working? It could be any number of things! Let’s explore.
What is cruise control?
Cruise control is a system that automatically applies the brakes to maintain your speed while driving. It does this by monitoring the distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, and then applying the brakes when needed to keep you from drifting out of control.
Cruise control works with all vehicles, including cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and sports cars. You can also use cruise control on motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. So your Subaru Forester can also have this on their systems.
How cruise control works
Cruise control functions with two sensors: one that detects the distance between your car and another ahead of you, and another that monitors how far ahead or behind the vehicle ahead of you is travelling. The system then uses this information to determine how much brake pressure needs to be applied based on how far out of control you might get if there was no braking assistance.
Reasons Why Your Cruise Control Isn't Working
If your cruise control isn't working, there are some common reasons why it may not work correctly.
Damaged Parts
Suppose you've never had a problem with your cruise control before. In that case, something has likely changed recently that has caused the system to stop working correctly.
For example, suppose you've replaced the battery or had an electrical problem with your vehicle. In that case, your cruise control may have been rendered useless until these issues were resolved.
If this is the case, there may be damage from overheating or other problems that need repair before you can get your cruise control working again.
Faulty Sensors
Another common reason cruise control stops working is faulty sensors in your vehicle's system. Cruise control relies on a series of sensors located around the car, which detect speed and distance travelled by each wheel to determine if you're driving too fast for safe operation or too slow and need to slow down immediately so that you don't run into something else going by.
If any sensor is damaged or broken, your cruise control will probably stop working suddenly as soon as it detects that one of the sensors isn't functioning correctly.
Blown Fuse
If your cruise control isn't working, it could be that the fuse in question has blown. This is a common problem with most cars and light trucks, but it's easy to fix. The first thing you'll need to do is check the fuse box for blown fuses.
The problem with blown fuses is that it's hard to identify which one is bad without some help from a professional. The good news is that a quick way to test all of them at once is by using a multimeter (or digital ohmmeter).
If you don't have one handy, consult a professional at your local auto parts store. They should be able to help you without requiring special tools or skills, and they'll usually perform this test for free if you ask nicely.
Defective Brake Pedal
This is an easy fix that can be done by anyone with essential tools and knowledge of electrical systems. The brake pedal switch is located on the brake pedal housing and controls how much power goes to your brakes when you press down on the pedal.
If any part of this system malfunctions, it could cause problems with cruise control because it doesn't send enough power to your brakes when they are needed most, namely when you need them most!
Bad Electrical Connection
Another type of problem that can cause issues with cruise control is a bad electrical connection. Electrical connectors are notorious for breaking or becoming disconnected over time, causing strange problems with your vehicle's operation.
How to Repair Cruise Control Issues
If this happens to you, here are some repair options you can try:
Check Your Voltage
Suppose your cruise control isn't working correctly, and you're getting a "check engine" light on your dashboard. In that case, there's a good chance that the problem lies with your battery and not your vehicle itself. To check this out, turn off the ignition and flip all of the fuses in your vehicle's fuse box (except for one).
If there's an indicator light on the underhood fuse panel that reads "E," there's a good chance that something is wrong with your voltage regulator circuit board (VRC), which controls voltage levels within the vehicle. If this is the case, try replacing it with a new one from an auto parts store or online retailers such as eBay or Amazon.
Check Your Wiring
If you still have problems with your cruise control after checking for lousy wiring, then it might be time for some repairs on your own. You will need a few tools to do this job, but you don't need to go out and buy new parts. You can get all of the necessary tools from Amazon, including the crimp tool and crimp connectors, as well as a set of crimp tools.
The crimp tool is used to make connections between terminals in your vehicle's electrical system, and the crimping cable connector connects one terminal to another.
The crimping tool is essential when working on your car's electrical system because it allows you to create strong connections without worrying about too much voltage going through them.
Conclusion
We hope in this article we have explained why the cruise control isn't working and that we have helped remove any uncertainty regarding your vehicle.
If, for any reason, you are still experiencing issues with your cruise control, please do not hesitate to contact a member of your local Auto Care team. They will be more than happy to help you out.
