Cruise control on C-Class 1997
 

I was appreciate advice anyone can give regarding an intermittent problem I have with my cruise control (Mercedes C- Class 1997). Recently the cruise control currently only works intermittently. I have checked the break pedal limit switch and have even tried to short it out but this does not have any effect. I also do not think it is the cruise control column switch as it works perfectly on occasions but after this I am lost. The cruise control some times works and when it does work it operates 100% and will continue to work until I switch off the ignition but on restarting the car the cruise control will not operate. Following a period of operation it could be several days before it works again and then only until I stop the car.

I would appreciate any advise that you could give if you have encountered a similar problem.

Thanks a lot.

Ian

I too have just had a similar problem on my 1997 SLK. The cruise control stopped working. After shutting the car off and then startying again, it worked. I figured it was a glitch in the computer and just had to be re-set. It worked for about two weeks. Now, it stopped again. And this time, re-starting does not remedy it.
I was wondering if there is anything to do other than take it in to the dealer.

JW

merclover2004,

Which 1997 C class do you have?

A C230 or a C280?

The cruise control is controlled by different parts in the different engines....

Thanks Julian for your reply to my question. Interesting to hear that you have what appears to be the same problem. I have also spoken to the dealer for some free advice and they say that the cruise control is very reliable and gives no problems - but I think that is possibly on the new cars they are dealing with. Interestingly they never suggested the computer but pointed to the break pedal limit swith and cruise control switch - which I do not think it is as I have almost ruled that out. Of course they did offer to look at it and put it on the computer - but we all know what that costs !!!!!!!!

Suginami - thanks for asking in relation to my problem. It is a C180 (just a baby!!!). I would sure appreciate any advise or suggestions that you have.

Thanks guys.

I asked the question about the engine because the cruise control function is part of the throttle actuator in the C280.

C230's and C180's do not have a TA.

However, the brake pedal limit switch is a $15 part that can render the CC inoperable on any of the models.

C180 Cruise control 1997
 

Thanks Sugiami. I appreciate that the CC operates through the break pedal limit switch and that is why I removed it and shorted it out so that the CC would think that the break was not pushed and therefore CC should operate. Shorting out the limit switch did not cause the CC to operate. Do you think that it is worth fitting a new limit switch anyway? Could the engine management computer sence that the contact from the break switch is not working when the ignition is first switched on and the break pedal is depressed to disengage the engine from park to drive - at this point there would be a change of state for the CC signal also and if not detected could this cause the CC to be disabled? Only a thought - what do you experts think. Thanks.