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Cozwald
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2002
18:52:07
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 Subject: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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Has anyone else had trouble with the "Set" button failing for the cruise control? On my Dakota ('99 CC 3.9 4x4) I can turn the cruise on, but can't set it. For a period the cruise would work off and on, but now seems to have failed completely. I tried spraying some electrical connection cleaner underneath the button on the steering wheel, but to no avail. I have checked all associated fuses (or so I think) and they are all in working order. Is this a switch that I can replace myself? My truck is past warranty, so any work I would like to do myself. Please email me if you have performed this type of work. Thank you!
coswald14@hotmail.com
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DodgedogJB
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2002
19:42:01
|  RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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I had/have the same problem on my Dakota. Occasionally when I try to set the cruise the light will be on but I can't actually set the speed. Then for no reason it will start working again. I have no clue why. I looked at the cruise control stock...no loose wires or anything that would suggest a bad connection. My truck is also past warrenty...so at fix I could do would be helpful.
Joel
99 5.2 CC
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Cozwald
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2002
19:57:43
| Setting Cruise Control
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DodgedogJB: Yeah the problem we are having sounds identical. Hopefully we can find a fix because it sounds as though yours is where mine was about 6 months ago. Now to get mine to engage, it must take nearly 30 or 40 tries. Recently on a 400 mile drive, I kept trying it while on open roads. I got it to engage once, then after maintaining speed for app. 20 miles it just shut off and would not cruise anymore. I kept trying afterwards, but could not get it to engage again. Like you I looked for loose wires, but found none that would suggest anything out of the ordinary. I am leary about messing around on the steering wheel for fear of messing something up with the airbag mechanism. I don't know where to start to try undoing items to try and get to the switch to see if it is broken or if it something is loose.
cozwaldo
99 CC 3.9 4x4
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2002
21:38:39
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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Try this while you are driving...turn on the cruise button, then carefully place your foot under the brake pedal, slightly pulling it towards you to keep the brake pedal from shuddering while you drive...then set your cruise..if this makes it work, then it is the switch on the brake pedal. I have heard of this giving out so that it is so sensitive, it will not let the cruise engage. If you have a clutch, try the brake pedal, if that does not work, try the clutch pedal, both have switches that disengage the cruise and often this is the problem.
I hope that helps, good luck,
Rascal
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Cozwald
Dodge Dakota
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3/18/2002
21:45:36
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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Thanks so much Rascal! I will give that a try on my way home tonight.
If it is the sensor on the brake pedal, where is it located? This vehicle is my first with cruise control, so I would not have the faintest clue where the sensor may be hiding. Also, is it something I can get from a local parts store and replace myself? If you can give me even more guidance, it would be more than appreciated!
Thanks again!
cozwaldo
99 CC 3.9 4x4
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BearDown
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2002
03:33:19
|  RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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Isn't the cruise control powered by vacuum?
I noticed those same symptoms on my '93 CC many years ago.
I just figured I had a leaky vacuum line...
I will try the brake test.. Thanks
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Cozwald
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2002
15:19:47
| Setting Cruise Control
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Rascal:
I tried the brake pedal sensor test that you suggested without any luck. I was sure hoping that it would be that easy to cure.
Does anyone have any other ideas besides taking the steering wheel apart and trying to see what it wrong with the switch?
cozwaldo
'99 CC 3.9 4x4
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Dave Pope
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2002
15:31:37
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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A while back I received a recall on my '00 QC for a part replacement effecting the cruise. You may want to go to DC's site and search recall notices that may apply. Depending on,... you might have a warranty despite the age/mileage,??,...D
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2002
17:53:42
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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the cruise is controlled by vaccuum, but the brake and clutch both have an electric cut off switch, (I think)..this was the case on a Nissan that I once owned..let me look in the FSM and see if we can make sense of this for you.
Rascal
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
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3/19/2002
18:04:50
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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Okay, this is from the FSM..keep in mind, mine is a 98 FSM..
the speed control is vacuum operated and electronically controlled.
The brake pedal has a switch to operate the brake lights but serves a dual purpose of also controlling the cruise control..
First it says look for a trouble code.
Second, it says that a misadjusted brake light switch will cause the cruise control to work intermittently, as yours does...look under the dash, you will see the switch high up on the brake pedal shaft..try making a slight adjustment to see if this cures your problem.
Third, look for loose, damaged or corroded connections at the cruise servo, (had this once on a Suburban).
Fourth, look for leaking hoses or connections at the vacuum tank, this is used to supply vacuum to the servo.
Fifth, there is a one way valve at the vacuum tank..if this is bad, replace it..
There are the top 5 things..I hope one of those helps you.
good luck,
Rascal
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Cozwald
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2002
08:51:18
| Setting Cruise Control
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Rascal: You have been a huge help. The only problem is that I am very new to this type of work. Can you help me locate the servo, the vacuum pump, and this one way valve you mention? I am fairly clueless when it comes to this type of work. I've done exhaust, tune-up, brake, radiator, and transmission work and the such, but never had to mess with anything that is this electronically complex. Like I said before, this is my first vehicle with cruise. My 1997 Dakota was the stripped down version and did not have one single upgrade, whereas now my vehicle is loaded. Email me the location/directions if you would like! Thanks so much for the references from the FSM!
cozwaldo
99 cc 3.9 4x4
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2002
10:56:08
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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Coz,
Since mine is a 98, I cannot be sure where all this stuff is under your hood, but it cannot be too hard to find. I might suggest you get either a factory service manual, or at least a Haynes manual to help you, either would be money well spent.
Start with that brake pedal switch, its easy to locate.
Your cruise servo is pretty obvious, look under your hood and follow the acelerator cable/linkage, it will run off that and is often located off a fender well.
The vacuum tank is about the size of a small coffee can and would be near the servo with vacuum lines running to it. The check valve normally sits right on top of that.
Hope that helps,
Rascal
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Rascal
Dodge Dakota
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3/20/2002
11:22:37
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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Coz,
Since mine is a 98, I cannot be sure where all this stuff is under your hood, but it cannot be too hard to find. I might suggest you get either a factory service manual, or at least a Haynes manual to help you, either would be money well spent.
Start with that brake pedal switch, its easy to locate.
Your cruise servo is pretty obvious, look under your hood and follow the acelerator cable/linkage, it will run off that and is often located off a fender well.
The vacuum tank is about the size of a small coffee can and would be near the servo with vacuum lines running to it. The check valve normally sits right on top of that.
Hope that helps,
Rascal
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Cozwald
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2002
17:22:09
| Setting Cruise Control
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Rascal,
I messed with the brake switch and that was the answer! I am not sure about everyone else's situation, but it seemed that DC had not completely tightened the two bolts holding the metal bracket that holds the brake control switch. This eventually caused the switch to move so that it was touching on the side of the brake pedal arm, rather than directly on top of it. Since the switch has a mushroom shaped (almost \_/ shaped) contact with the brake pedal arm, this caused the Dak to "read" it as having the brake pedal engaged and would thereby not engage the cruise. Once it was moved back to its correct position, I took the Dak out on the road and it works just fine now! Thanks again for your help!
Cozwaldo
'99 CC 3.9 4x4
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Bill the Cat
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2002
07:00:45
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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HAd the cruise on a Dodge Mini Van start not workeing one day. Looked under the hood and found the vacuum hose to the thing was rotted out by battery acid and had a hole in it. Went over to my nearby Parker-Hannifin Fluid Power dealer and picked up a butt end connecter for the size hose that I needed, cut out the bad hose section, reconnected the hose with the connecter that cost me about 4 bucks, repositioned the hose so it was away from the battery, end of problem.
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93bluebomb
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2005
06:29:29
|  RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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The cruise on my 93 Dak was having the same problems. I had replaced the servo (best guess at the time) and it worked right for one day then back to not at all. Tried the brake pedal trick this morning and it worked! (at least a couple times). It may solve part of the problem. It may make a difference in what order; you support the brake pedal, then turn the cruise on, don't know for sure yet. Nor am I sure now why the servo change caused a one day cure.
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Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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6/17/2005
14:42:51
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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"The brake pedal has a switch to operate the brake lights but serves a dual purpose of also controlling the cruise control.."
Would this not cause your brake lights to be on all the time?
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93bluebomb
Dodge Dakota
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6/20/2005
06:33:01
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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By using your foot to lift up on the brake pedal would not activate the brake lights. Though maybe I am misinterperting what your question.
Well I now my cruise works (with lifting up the bp) for a short time, one time, early in the day then not at all. Almost back to square one. No loose; wires, brake switch or noticeable vacuum line damage. Thought I had it figured out.
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Trevor
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2005
11:10:11
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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If your cruise doesn't activate because of the 'dual purpose' switch, this means that the switch is on, turning your brake lights on as well? Just a thought.
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Armin
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2005
13:13:25
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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I had a very similar problem. My cruise wouldn't power "On" with the On/Off switch. When it was under warranty, the clowns at the dealer replaced the clock spring several times, but the problem persisted. I finally decided to take apart the steering wheel, removed the switch and tested it with a high-resistance ohmmeter. The switch ass'y has a resistor connected in series to each switch. One is about 9,000 Ohms and the other 600(If I remember correctly. I can't remember which switch has which resistance). I suspect that the PCM recognizes the varied resistances as different commands to the speed control system. So check that each switch is closing and opening when operated with an Ohmmeter--you'll need at least a scale of 1 million Ohms (Megaohmmeter), a simple continuity check is not sufficient. Don't be afraid to remove the steering wheel cover, it's really simple and safe for the airbag. It's just two bolts on the back cover and two screws and a connector holding the switch, you don't even need to disconnect the airbag. I went as far as taking the switch apart and re-arranging the switch springs. Since I put it back together, it works like a charm--not sure what I did to fix it though. If you don't want to bother with the Ohmmeter check, you could just replace the switch. Sorry, don't know what they cost.
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Armin
Dodge Dakota
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6/22/2005
13:14:22
| RE: RE: Setting Cruise Control
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I had a very similar problem. My cruise wouldn't power "On" with the On/Off switch. When it was under warranty, the clowns at the dealer replaced the clock spring several times, but the problem persisted. I finally decided to take apart the steering wheel, removed the switch and tested it with a high-resistance ohmmeter. The switch ass'y has a resistor connected in series to each switch. One is about 9,000 Ohms and the other 600(If I remember correctly. I can't remember which switch has which resistance). I suspect that the PCM recognizes the varied resistances as different commands to the speed control system. So check that each switch is closing and opening when operated with an Ohmmeter--you'll need at least a scale of 1 million Ohms (Megaohmmeter), a simple continuity check is not sufficient. Don't be afraid to remove the steering wheel cover, it's really simple and safe for the airbag. It's just two bolts on the back cover and two screws and a connector holding the switch, you don't even need to disconnect the airbag. I went as far as taking the switch apart and re-arranging the switch springs. Since I put it back together, it works like a charm--not sure what I did to fix it though. If you don't want to bother with the Ohmmeter check, you could just replace the switch. Sorry, don't know what they cost.
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