Lately my cruise control actuator starts clicking repeatedly from when the key is first turned on and continues after the engine has been started. At some point you can't hear it anymore while driving, so I don't know how long it persists.

I've had the hood open a few times and put my hand on the actuator to confirm this is the source of the click.

What is wrong with it and what do I need to do about it? I don't use the cruise every day, but when I do it's still working. It was a little flaky when I first got the car in April, but soon seemed to work more reliably the more I tried to use it.

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1985 300TD 214k. Elsbett VO system + Fattywagon injection line heaters. (SOLD!)
1996 VW Passat TDI wagon 327k. No VO
Two white german turbodiesel wagons. One analog, one digital.