Ford 06 5.4 Cruise Control drops out

[Rockman]

As im sitting at my local NTB for some 'prepaid' rotation/alignment of my new Nitto Grapplers, Im wondering about why my cruise control drops on occasion. This has never happend before, but has started dropping 'connection' out of the blue on occasion, and then reconnects sometime later.

sometimes it wont connect again until I leave the van, (cool engine or cabin?)
sometimes it will reconnect quickly.

My dash doesnt have any indicators that the CC is on or off as my wifes F250 so I just have to keep trying it.

Anyone have this type of problem?

Guys here at NTB says that if the controller is going out, it would be more like the van was stalling, as it 'connects' and 'disconnects'.

[pjpvi]

Sounds identical to mine and I have never found the cause. I've had a couple dealerships look at it and they come back with nothing. It may work fine for months, then it may act up for an hour or so or for a couple days, then be fine. Sometimes it re-connects right away, sometimes not for 10, 20, 30 ... minutes. Totally random.

If you find the problem, please let me know.

Phil

[Rockman]

Small consonance that im not crazy, but sorry it is happening to you too.

My only attempt at figuring it out is that *maybe* if my dash gets too hot it cut off. On a couple long cold drives, I had the heat on full hot at the feet.

Any chance this is also with you?

[pjpvi]

I have been unable to correlate the problem to anything (heat, cold, hills, coasting, my mood, etc.). It is the most random problem I've ever had.

I have a 6.0 PSD, but the cruise electronics may be the same?

[Ford_6L_E350]

Could it be as simple as the brake light switch is adjusted close to 'ON'?

Next choice would be a ground issue - very difficult to troubleshoot.

Mike

[pjpvi]

Mike, that is my hunch, but as you say it is very hard to isolate such a problem. I've thought of pulling over when it happens to see if my brake lights are stuck on, but never want to take the time when it happens. One of these days I will.

Phil

[jage]

Originally Posted by pjpvi

Mike, that is my hunch, but as you say it is very hard to isolate such a problem. I've thought of pulling over when it happens to see if my brake lights are stuck on, but never want to take the time when it happens. One of these days I will.

Hard to tell as to pull over you have to hit the brakes (likely) and you could "fix" the stuck brake lights. Maybe you could put a plastic prism on the light or use a mirror so you can observe the lamps while driving.

I dislike the lack of the "cruise" light my F250 has as well, however the only time my 6.0 has dropped out of cruise is when the speed is very different from the setting, like if I'm pulling hard up a hill and the speedo drops to 45 when the cruise is around 55-60 it will turn itself off. Not sure of the mechanism involved, but a faulty speed sensor or something in that system could be the issue.

So, anyone know of a way to manually install a cruise control indicator light, like are the wires still there, just not part of the dash?

[saline]

I too have had the cruise control drop out for no apparent reason. Then it won't happen again for months.

[carringb]

Have you guys checked your 3rd brake lights? Having a top on the van makes me suspicious maybe the 3rd brake wiring has been altered, or may have an intermittent open circuit.

A inop 3rd brake light can cause the cruise control to not work. Ford says even changing to LEDs is not recommended (however, my LED 3rd brake light has not caused issues).

[vwteleman]

My '08 has an indicator light in the dash. Turns on when "on and engaged", but no indicator when "on and disengaged". New to the '08s perhaps?

No dropouts experienced, but have seen behaviour similar to what Jage described. I think this is not a bug, but related to the minimum speed at which the cruise will engage.

[Slight hijack - what I'd really like is a way to disengage the cruise without having to tap the brakes, like in my Subaru (tap a paddle on the steering wheel).]

Brent