Cruise Control Issue

I have a 2008 TRD Crew Cab and my cruise control has been acting up for over a year, and it's time to do something about it! I am 99% sure it is the switch, and I am wondering if anyone here has had a similar issue with their cruise control.

It's as follows. Sometimes I can't get the cruise to turn on (sometimes it turns on first try), although if I toggle the switch many times, sometimes it will start working fine, then cut in and out again. It's not just turning it on though, it seems to be all or nothing as setting it or cancelling it requires toggling the switch many times as well. Cancelling the cruise with the brake works completely fine.

I am mechanically inclined, and understand the risks with disconnecting the air bag to replace the switch. I'm just interested in any other owners that have had this issue, and that it was in fact (or not) the cruise control switch (arm).

I've spoken with my local dealer, and they have the new cruise arm in stock (I know there are other vendors online as well with better pricing), but I was told there is a 'stop sale' on the part. The parts manager inquired with corporate to see if it was because there might be a recall coming, and was told that the part works fine, no recall coming. So he wasn't sure exactly why there was a stop sale. Any ideas?

 

not trying to insult you so please don't take it the wrong way, but do you know how to use the cruise control? I don't think I've seen a post like this.

 

Yes I am very aware of how to use the cruise control as it worked without issue for the first 2 years of my ownership. Pressing the button on the end of the cruise control arm to turn on/off the cruise control system (indicated by CRUISE appearing on the cluster) works sometimes, and doesn't work other times. If I press the button over and over and over again, sometimes the cruise will turn on. Once (if) the cruise does turn on (again, indicated by CRUISE on the cluster), I may be able to set the cruise by moving the arm in the up position. Again, sometimes this works, and sometimes it doesn't (even when CRUISE is indicated on the cluster). I've even experienced a situation where as the cruise control was set, and I was unable to cancel it using the cruise control arm, the brake however has never failed to cancel the cruise control. My assessment leads me to believe that there is an issue with the switch itself.

 

So on my car I was having an issues with getting the cruise to set.
I always canceled fine.
Long story short it wouldn't set because the brake switch wasn't going in all the way, if I bumped the brake pedal to wiggle the switch It would set.
I hit it with some Teflon dry lube & it works great now.
I would agree since you have a problem canceling its prob in ur switch but maybe try lubing up that brakes switch under the dash. At least its cheap & easy to try.

 

More likely it's your clock spring. AKA spiral cable inside the steering wheel. Very common problem.

 

I've heard of the spiral cable being an issue, and I believe there may have been a recall at some point? Would there be any other symptoms associated with the spiral cable? Also what kind of cost/labor is involved with changing it?

 

OEM Clocksprings can be found for 30-40ish online. use your part number to search. Same with stalk, F the dealer and search/buy online using your oem part number off it.

 

airbag light on dash is queue that spiral cable has failed....usually & yes, there is recall that should cover your yr. Mine is 2008 too and will ignore recall until light on dash or I guess now, if my cc acts whak. Both spiral cable and cc stalk can be changed very easy in same area. Wheel can be pulled without a puller. Clockspring is behind it on column.

 

Hmm, yeah the only symptom so far is just the cruise intermittently working, but perhaps that is an indication that it is failing.

 

^^^What they said. There is a recall on them. If that doesn't do it check the connections at the switches and sensors in the CC circuit. I would replace the stalk as a last resort. If yours is included in the Spiral cable recall they might be willing to install a new stalk for the price of the part only

 

The Spiral cable can also effect the air bag Ask GM what happens when air bags don't deploy

 

Just doing a bit of price researching, and is there actually a quality difference between spending $200 from Toyota, or a third party one for $30-40?

 

Alright, so I did a little experiment. With the wheels pointed straight and the vehicle parked, the cruise would not turn on. I turned the steering wheel all the way counter clockwise and to my surprise the cruise control turned on and off every time I pushed the button, perfect! So I turned the steering wheel all the way clockwise, and nothing. Repeated with the same results. That seems pretty suggestive that it has to be the spiral cable. I talked to my dealer again (prior to this discovery), and they were able to check the history of my truck and a recall was never done, nor issued for the spiral cable. So I guess that is the issue, but I am on the hook for the repair unfortunately.

 

Good troubleshooting. I agree it is more than likely the spiral cable. Easy to replace, just be careful during the replacement and make sure you disconnect the battery and give the caps time to bleed off before working with the airbag.

 

Ummm... Me thinks you need a different dealer.
Maybe yours isn't included. If I were you I'd check at Toyota.com enter your VIN.

 

Mine was not included. I replaced my clock spring on my own. It is very easy. The only time is waiting for a while after disconnecting the battery.

 

I've got a similar issue - the cruise light comes on when I push the button every time but sometimes will not engage when I try to set it.
Weird.

 

Mine behaved badly before it quit.

 

Yeah I found a post somewhere that stated the Tacoma's that have steering wheel mounted controls were not included in the recall. Whether or not there is any merit to that, I can't say. I have bought a few parts from toyotapartsdirect.ca with positive experiences. I can get it for $325 CDN shipped. A buddy of mine apparently tried the cheap ones off Ebay and it came DOA, so I'd rather just get the OEM part.

 

Just go to dealership and have them replace the thing with an oem one. It is a recall which means $0 for part, $0 for labor.....only cost is your free time. I would not do anything but oem part, regardless of where it comes from.