My cruise control is working great one day and the next day it wont even engage. I attempt to set the cruise control and the little light on the dash just flashes.. very briefly.. you almost cant even notice the flash. I even managed to make it stick one or twice after trying like 100 times. I checked all of the fuses and they were all just fine. The only thing that I did was air up my tires.. could that be the problem? Anyone have any ideas?
Its a 2003 4.0L Auto.

 

I don't know what your issue is....but.....have you got the recall jumper for your cruise control? I just don't wanna see a post with your truck up in flames.

 

I called the dealer and they said that the 2003 didnt qualify for the CC recall. I wish it would be that easy, thanks though. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Do you notice the brake lights staying on ? Could be a problem with the brake pedal switch.

 

Is that an expensive fix? I dont think the break lights have been staying on but it could be the switch... also its weird that I hit the switch to engage the cruise and the light on the dash blinks on for a sec..

 

Hey Guys.. this problem is still happening.. Not I noticed that the ABS light is on the dash, are these problems connected? Can someone help? Id rather not spend tons of $$ at the dealer.

 

These are most likely related. It is hard to say what exactly the problem is without hooking up a scan tool and seeing what the code is. I would go somewhere like Autozone and have them pull the code. Then post it and someone might be able to tell you your problem. A brake switch can cause the cruise to not work and the ABS light to come on, so that might be the problem but there is no point in guessing and wasting money. If it is a brake switch they are cheap and easy to replace.

Thanks,
Jason

 

Thanks Jason.. that helps.. Just one question. I called up the local auto parts store and asked for a brake switch for my 03 Ford ranger and they had a few different things.. Could you be a little more specific? Also are there any other ideas on what it could be?

 

Call up a Ford dealership. Go OEM FORD for all your electronic replacement parts.


I don't know how rangers are, but i worked on an old girlfriends Focus and her abs light was on...ended up being low brake fluid. Just an idea...

 

Yeah Rangers are the same in regards to the low brake fluid/abs light.. my 96 warned me a few times...

I don't know what to tell ya... I can't remember if its vacume controled or not.....

 

Bob, take the connector off the pressure switch on the front of your brake Master Cylinder.
Put a jumper between the two pins in the harness connector (paper clip works).

Be careful while doing this because power is always present at that connector, unless you disconnect the battery. Insulate the jumper so it can't short to anything. Drive it and see if that fixes it.

Those MC pressure switches leak internally and the brake fluid makes a high resistance path (which is how the fires start). That pressure switch is used for Cruise and ABS. If using the jumper fixes both your issues, replace that switch and count your blessings your truck isn't a smoldering heap.

I don't suspect the brake fluid level switch (pretty sure that lights the Brake light), but make sure you are full on brake fluid, as previously advised. Typically, without a leak, a low brake fluid level indicates that your pads/shoes are worn.

 

It works! Wow great advice. I will get that replaced right away. I really appreciate your help you have saved me a lot of time and $$!!

 

Please report this to the NHTSA. Keep the old switch, give them its part number, etc. They may even want the old one. Unless they started using Key On power to that bad actor, instead of Always Hot. Who's got a 2003 EVTM to answer that question?

I'm dead serious.
People's houses have burned down when their Ford caught fire in the garage.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/


Glad you got it figured out. Good work.

 

Would this quick test work on a 1997 Ranger? My cruise control is not working. I replaced the steering wheel controls (they were bad and stuck), but that did not fix it. My cruise control light comes on, but it will not engage the servo under the hood. I read that it could be the servo, cruise computer or the part in the steering wheel (canot remember the name of it). I know it is a round piece that the steering wheel controls plug into. I tried the test where you hold down the on switch, turn on the ignition and press the controls in a particular sequence. That did not work on my 97. Any more ideas?