Help Spencer get his cruise control back

[Spencer]

I am entirely too dependant on cruise control, I use it for everything,

This started about 6 months ago, cruise control would not come on somtimes, if I kept trying eventually it did, but it could take anywhere from 1 min to an hour, it had it's good days and it's bad days.

I recently noticed if I turned the steerig wheel while pressing the button I could get it to come on at a certain spot, which makes me thing it was a loose wire.

Now yesterday I preform a mod wich disables abs with a switch. And I cannot get it to come on for anything! Did I pull a wire messing around in the relay panel? I don't even see anything for cruise control in there.

This is an automatic 4runner, please someone help!

Would a shop even bother trying to fix this?

 

[Mr. Leary]

My guess would be that there was something wrong with the master cruise control switch to begin with. I would imagine it is just coincedence that you cannot get the cruise to activate today. Either way, you will probably have to replace the switch, which is not that difficult, but will require you to partially disassemble the steering column to get it out and mount the new one. If you have a Chilton's guide for the truck, it should have a section that details steeering column. You should be able to use the information provided for blinker switch service to help you. YMMV.

BTW, why would you disable the ABS? Doesn't it automatically disable in 4lo?

EDIT: I'm sure a shop can do it, but examine their price... they may be hinting to you that they do not want to do it. Messing with components in the steering column is time consuming.

 

[twinkielk15]

Does your horn work? I would bet that your clockspring has gone out. I had this same condition when I bought my 4Runner six months ago. Easy part to pick up from a yard and install yourself.

 

[Spencer]

Ok my cc worked twice today!

I went to the local pull apart (50miles) but it seems they were out of newer 4runners (they just had like 5) so all they had was 2nd gens..

So I'll get a new switch one day!

 

[twinkielk15]

My local place has several in stock if you are planning to replace the clock spring. The website is Japanese Auto Wrecking.

 

[Spencer]

Where exactly is this spring you speak of? What's it's purpose?

 

[twinkielk15]

It's a coil spring located in the steering wheel that allows the wheel to be turned while still maintaining electrical connections to the horn, cruise control, and air bag. Here is an excellent write-up. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[Reznuel]

Twinkie, I'm having similar problems myself. Is there a way to test the coil spring before replacing it? My volume controls work but my horn and cruise control don't. I replaced the CC Main Switch thinking that was the problem but to no avail. Fuses are all good, also. If the coil spring was broken, how would you be able to tell? I have a 4th Gen 2003 Limited. Thanks.

 

[twinkielk15]

Reznuel,
Sorry to hear you are having problems. I have not tried it but I would assume a simple continuity check on the two connectors for the clock spring would suffice. My understanding is that all steering wheel controls run through that cable, but there are several wires in there and it could be that only a few are broken. That would explain why your volume is still working. Sorry I'm not more help. I can almost guarantee that's the problem though if you've lost both your cruise control and your horn. One tip: When you're looking for the part you might have to search several different terms. I've seen it called the clock spring, the spiral cable, the air bag cable, cruise control cable..... You'll typically find it under either clock spring or spiral cable. Let me know if I can help at all. I'll try and pull mine tomorrow or the next day and try the continuity test. I'll post back.

 

[twinkielk15]

Reznuel,
Took me longer than I planned on but I did get mine taken out today and did the continuity test. It worked.