That good ol' cruise control weirdness...

[msyoder]

My CC switch stopped working in a very clear way one day last summmer on a long trip. It stopped springing back to the center from the set/accelerate position. I stopped using it because it didn't dawn on me that I could set it using the set/deaccelerate position.

Anyway, now that I've successfully replaced it I'm testing it all the time and it works intermittantly. Now, by this I mean that it either completely works or never does between different starts of the car. For example it has yet to work on the first start of the day in three days, but by the second or third start (running errands and such) it will work and work flawlessly during that drive. I haven't seen it fail on a latter start that same day.

Is there a dependance on the engine temp for the CC to work? It's been in the 30s F during this time and my thermostate seems to be kaput. Any other ideas? Thanks,



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-Mike
'87 300TD Turbo

[msyoder]

Well, now with a longer trip in the car I discover that even when it didn't work at the begining it started working after 10min or less. Then once it began working it worked for the entire 360mi trip, including one rest stop, without failure.

Perhaps you have a vacuum issue? I just tested my whole cruise control system, and my switch tested out bad. I am so glad that the switch($27.15) may solve the problem and my control unit($300-600.00) may be okay. I read that you do not have to remove the steering wheel to remove the combination switch, is this true?

[DEPRIEST]

Hey Everyone,
I also have a cruise control problem and I have read some past threads on how to fix it. Basically I have to pull out the cruise control card (which I understand is under the dash above the drivers feet and a real bear to get to) and re-solder the connections. This is all well and fine and it will take me quite awhile, I'm just worried about my car being disabled while I preform this operation. Will the car be alright with out the cruise control circuit board while it's being fixed or is the car need to stay put?
Thanks
-Kyle

[P.E.Haiges]

I had the cruise control card out of my '80 300SD and there were no other functions affected that I could tell.

P E H

[msyoder]

Patsy,

The steering wheel and under-dash (it plugs into the control unit) must be removed. For my car these were time consuming, but not difficult. The '87 also has an airbag to worry over.