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I have a 2006 Dodge Stratus 2.4. I can't enable cruise control, meaning I cannot turn it on using the switch on the steering wheel. Given that I can't turn it on, I can't set a speed either.

Update: the problem is intermittent; very rarely I can press the on/off switch and the cruise control will turn on. If it does turn on, after 3-5 seconds, it turns back off. Setting a speed does not work 99% of the time. If it does get set, the cruise control will turn off again anyway after a few seconds.

Here's what I've checked so far:

  • Fuses [All Good]
  • Cruise Control Servo [No apparent damage]
  • Electrical connection to CC servo [No corrosion and not loose]
  • Throttle cable to server [Tension is good and no damage]
  • Will check brake light switch and update
  • Will check CC switch on steering wheel for corrosion and update.
  • Will check clock spring and update

From there, I'm not sure where to go next. Does anyone have any ideas on how to properly troubleshoot my cruise control?

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  • Check the wiring harnesses leading to the steering column and make sure all the connections are firm and the wires going into the connector are tight.
    – Mark Stewart
    Commented Aug 4, 2016 at 3:04
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    There should be a switch on the brake pedal that cancels cruise if you hit the brakes, sometimes they go bad preventing it from turning on.
    – Moab
    Commented Aug 4, 2016 at 3:06
  • Sometimes the switch contacts get corroded, to fix it you need to disassemble the stalk and apply some contact cleaner to the switch.
    – TMN
    Commented Aug 4, 2016 at 12:40
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    @Moab wouldn't that switch going bad also cause the brake lights to not engage with the brake? or is it solely for the cruise control?
    – user21327
    Commented Aug 4, 2016 at 14:53
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    One possibility is the clock spring behind the steering wheel has failed. This is what connects all the buttons on the steering wheel to the harness.
    – Moab
    Commented Aug 4, 2016 at 23:51

1 Answer 1

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I would check the brake pedal cancel switch, it may be an integral part of the brake switch but has its own electrical contacts. If it is stuck in the open position this will cause cruise to not engage. You can check this with an ohm meter, pins 3 and 4 (first diagram) should have continuity with the brake pedal at rest, lose continuity when you depress the brake, do this with key off.

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And possibly the cruise switch on the steering wheel column has failed.

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Or the clock spring has failed (behind the steering wheel, this connects all electrical switches on the wheel to the harness)

enter image description here

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  • With the clockspring, wouldn't that also prevent the airbag or horn from functioning?
    – user21327
    Commented Aug 5, 2016 at 16:48
  • Depends, I have seen some break where some of the parts still work but not others.
    – Moab
    Commented Aug 5, 2016 at 18:12

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