Annoying cruise issue

[Acidmeld]

I do understand what you are saying and how this is supposed to work. However, the truck does not do this when i, the driver, have my foot on the throttle. This only happens when cruise is engaged. If anything it should happen less when the cruise control is engaged because the computer is choosing the throttle position etc. Just my thoughts, i could be way off base.

When you are using your foot the computer only uses the inputs you give it to decide when to lock up. It basically "trusts" that you can see the next hill coming and will give it the input it needs to decide when to unlock. When the cruise is running the show it can't see down the road. It's a brain without any eyes. It is erring on the side of caution by assuming that the next hill is coming soon and won't lock up. Where the engineers got it wrong is that they missed the time out function. Instead of setting it up where it locks up again after "x" amount of time, they just let it stay unlocked indefinitely. Tapping the cruise control button really changes a lot in terms of the ECM logic used to control the shifting inside the trans.

 

[luvmyt4r]

HUH...So basically I just have to shut the cruise off and hit it again? I have another problem I just found last night. In this process, I unhook the battery hoping that would do something. Now I noticed after that, that the buttond for the windows and sunroof dont continue to close or open after I hit the button. the side windows are not that big of a deal, but I would like the sunroof to return to its sealed position on its own. Is it a simple programming thing there I can do?

 

[Acidmeld]

You can shut the cruise off and reset it but then it'll go right back once you get to the next incline. Just a bad design. Personally I just don't use the cruise unless I know I'm going to be on a level road.

The windows and sunroof just need to be reset. Run them thru the open-close cycle, holding the button for a few seconds in both directions after it gets either end.

 

[luvmyt4r]

Great. Thank you. I did get it figured out, but thank you for the reply. Say. i am going to be coming through that area not this weekend but the next. Do you know of anyone who has either a set of 5 of a 16" wheel to fit a 2004 4Runner or a set of 4 17" stock wheels. I think i would rather go with the 16" though. THank.s

 

[Acidmeld]

I do know someone with 4 17" sr5 wheels. Think he wanted 200 for them. Haven't talked to him in 6 months tho.

 

[bytemaster0]

Just thought I'd throw in my few cents (adjusted for inflation, of course)... On both the 2002 4runner that I previously owned, and the 2008 that I have now (though it has much more sophisticated electronics), the transmission was MUCH more liable to stay in the highest gear, with the lock-up clutch engaged, if the cruise was OFF. When the cruise is ON, the slightest speed variation causes it to immediately disengage the lockup clutch and pop down a gear. If I do the same with my foot, it stays right where it is.

So, when I'm going up a steeper grade, I shut off cruise, because I don't like the engine to race every time I drop 1-2 MPH. As long as I have my foot on the pedal, the car will stay in gear, with the lock-up clutch engaged, even if I drop about 3-5 MPH. After a point, of course, it will eventually downshift, but it's FAR twitchier with the cruise control enabled. Cruise control seems to favor keeping speed over fuel economy, consistently.

 

[e304runner]

You can shut the cruise off and reset it but then it'll go right back once you get to the next incline. Just a bad design. Personally I just don't use the cruise unless I know I'm going to be on a level road.

The windows and sunroof just need to be reset. Run them thru the open-close cycle, holding the button for a few seconds in both directions after it gets either end.

Why is mine displaying theses same unlock and stay unlocked symptoms while in cruise, on flat ground, with no head or tailwind, and no speed increase, no load increases on the drivetrain whatsoever? just randomly unlocking??

 

[Acidmeld]

Why is mine displaying theses same unlock and stay unlocked symptoms while in cruise, on flat ground, with no head or tailwind, and no speed increase, no load increases on the drivetrain whatsoever? just randomly unlocking??

I can't say for certain but I can throw out a few possibilities.

Could be heat buildup inside the trans and it's trying to run the oil pump faster.
Could be the need for a bit more torque due to wind, speed, load changes that you can't feel but the computers can detect.
Could be part of the learned values the computer has devised by recording your driving.
Could be a malfunction inside your transmission.
Could be bad fluid.

Bottom line is the engineers put some strange coding into these computers that don't always make sense to the driver but are generally there for a reason. If it bothers you a lot you can take it in but I doubt there's anything wrong.