How to replace the cruise control brake release switch
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Cruise control is turned off by a brake switch, which fails if cruise control is not deactivated or is set incorrectly.
Proper use of cruise control has become more than just a luxury. For many vehicle owners, cruise control saves up to 20% of fuel when traveling long distances. Others rely on cruise control to relieve pressure on their knees, leg muscles, and sore joints. No matter how you use cruise control on your car, it's hard to fix it yourself.
One of the leading components that fails before others is the cruise control brake switch. The job of the cruise control brake switch is to allow drivers to deactivate cruise control by simply depressing the brake pedal. This switch is used on automatic transmission vehicles, while most manual transmission vehicles have a clutch release switch that disables cruise control when the clutch pedal is depressed.
In addition, there is always a manual button that deactivates cruise control on the steering wheel or turn signal lever. Multiple deactivation devices are mandatory for vehicles sold in the US as this is an important safety feature.
There are a few individual components that make up a cruise control system that can cause a vehicle's cruise control to fail, but we're assuming that proper diagnostics have determined that the brake switch is faulty and needs to be replaced. There are two common reasons why the brake switch may be faulty, and both cause cruise control to malfunction.
The first case is when the cruise control brake switch does not open, which means that when you press the brake pedal, the cruise control does not turn off. The second case is when the cruise control brake switch does not complete the circuit, which prevents the cruise control from being turned on. Either way, this requires replacing the cruise control switch on the brake pedals.
Attention: The specific location and steps to remove this component may vary depending on your vehicle. The following steps are general instructions. Be sure to review the specific steps and recommendations in your vehicle manufacturer's service manual before proceeding.
A warning: Working on electrical equipment such as the cruise control brake switch may cause injury if you do not turn off the power before attempting to remove any electrical components. If you're not 100% sure about replacing the cruise control brake switch or don't have the recommended tools or assistance, have an ASE certified mechanic do the job for you.
Part 1 of 3: Identifying the Symptoms of a Faulty Cruise Control Brake Switch
Before deciding to order replacement parts and remove the cruise control brake switch, it's always a good idea to properly diagnose the problem. On most OBD-II scanners, error code P-0573 and P-0571 usually indicate a problem with the cruise control brake switch. However, if you don't get this error code or if you don't have a scanner to download the error codes, you will have to perform some self-diagnostic checks.
When the cruise control brake pedal switch is faulty, the cruise control will not activate. Because the brake pedal and cruise control use the same activation switch, one way to determine if the switch is faulty is to depress the brake pedal and see if the brake lights come on. If not, the cruise control brake switch may need to be replaced.
Some of the other signs of a bad or faulty cruise control brake switch include:
Cruise Control Won't Engage: When the cruise control brake switch is damaged, it usually won't complete the electrical circuit. This keeps the circuit "open", which essentially tells the cruise control that the brake pedal is depressed.
Cruise control won't turn off: On the other side of the equation, if the cruise control won't turn off when you press the brake pedal, it's usually caused by a faulty cruise control brake switch that is closed, which means it won't send a signal to deactivate through the relay and on the vehicle's ECM.
Cruise control deactivates automatically while driving: If you are driving on a road with cruise control activated and the cruise control deactivates without depressing the pedal, there may be a malfunction inside the brake switch that needs to be replaced.
Part 2 of 3: Replacing the Cruise Control Brake Switch
After diagnosing a faulty cruise control brake switch, you need to prepare your vehicle and yourself to replace the sensor. This job is relatively easy to do, as most brake switches are located under the car's dashboard, just above the brake pedal.
However, since the location of this device is unique to the vehicle you are working on, it is highly recommended that you purchase the service for the specific make, model, and year of your vehicle. The service manual usually lists the exact location, as well as a few replacement tips from the manufacturer.
Necessary materials
- Socket wrench or ratchet wrench
- flashlight
- Flat screwdriver
- thread blocker
- Cruise Control Brake Switch Replacement
- Cruise Control Brake Switch Clip Replacement
- Safety equipment
Step 1: Disconnect the car battery. The first thing to do before replacing any electrical component is to disconnect the power supply.
Locate the vehicle's battery and disconnect the positive and negative battery cables before continuing.
Step 2 Locate the cruise control brake switch.. After turning off the power, locate the cruise control brake switch.
Consult your vehicle's service manual or contact an ASE certified mechanic for the location of the brake switch for your specific vehicle if you are having difficulty locating the device.
Step 3: Remove the driver side floor mats.. You will have to lie under the dash to remove and replace the cruise control brake switch.
It is recommended that any floor mats be removed as not only are they uncomfortable, but they can slip off during operation and potentially cause injury.
Step 4 Remove all access panels under the dashboard.. On many vehicles, the dashboard has a cover or panel that holds all the wires and sensors and is separate from the brake and throttle pedals.
If your vehicle has such a panel, remove it to access the wiring harnesses under the vehicle.
Step 5: Disconnect the wiring harness attached to the cruise control brake switch.. Remove the wiring harness attached to the sensor.
To complete this, you will need to use a flathead screwdriver to gently press on the white clip that connects the wiring harness to the sensor. Once you depress the clip, slowly pull on the harness to release it from the brake switch.
Step 6: Remove the old brake switch. Remove the old brake sensor, which is usually attached to the bracket with a 10mm bolt (specific bolt size varies by vehicle).
Using a socket wrench or ratchet wrench, carefully remove the bolt while keeping one hand on the brake switch. Once the bolt is removed, the brake switch will loosen and can be easily removed.
However, a secure clip can be attached to the back of the brake switch. If present, use a flat blade screwdriver to carefully remove the clamp from the fitting on the bracket. The brake switch should pop out easily.
Step 7: Press the new brake switch clip onto the new brake switch.. Buy a new brake switch clip (if your car has one) instead of trying to reset and reattach the old clip to the new sensor.
In many cases, the clip is already installed on the new brake sensor. If not, be sure to secure the clip to the back of the sensor before attempting to reinstall the new unit.
Step 8. Reinstall the cruise control brake switch.. Be sure to reset the brake switch in the same direction as the previous brake switch.
This ensures that the wiring harness is easily connected and the switch functions correctly. If the brake switch has a clip, first insert the clip into its fitting on the bracket. It should "snap" into position.
Step 9: Fasten the Bolt. Once the brake switch is properly aligned, reinstall the 10mm bolt that secures the brake switch to the bracket.
It is recommended to use a threadlocker on this bolt as you don't want the brake switch to come loose. Tighten the bolt to the recommended torque as specified in your vehicle's service manual.
Step 10: Inspect the wiring harness. While many mechanics believe the job is done after reconnecting the harness, in some cases the harness itself is the cause of cruise control problems.
Before reattaching the harness, inspect it for loose wires, frayed wires, or disconnected wires.
Step 11: Attach the Wire Harness. Make sure you reattach the wire harness in the same direction it was removed.
It should "click" into place once it is properly attached to the new cruise control brake switch. Step 12 Attach the access panel to the control panel below the dashboard.. Set as it was when you started.
Part 3 of 3: Test drive the car
Once you have successfully replaced the cruise control brake switch, the problems should be fixed. However, you'll want to test drive the car to make sure the original issue is resolved. The best way to complete this test drive is to plan your route first. As you will be testing the cruise control, make sure you find a highway with very little traffic to test the device.
If you have problems with cruise control turning off after a certain period of time, you should test the vehicle for at least that same period of time.
Step 1: Start the car. Let it warm up to operating temperature
Step 2 Connect your scanner. Be sure to connect a diagnostic scanner (if you have one) and reset any error codes.
Once this is done, perform a new scan and determine if new error codes appear before a test ride.
Step 3: Drive at Highway Speed. Drive your car to the test track and accelerate to highway speed.
Step 4: Set cruise control to 55 or 65 mph.. After the cruise control is set, depress the brake pedal lightly to make sure the cruise control disengages.
Step 5: Reset cruise control again and drive 10-15 miles.. Make sure cruise control does not automatically turn off.
Replacing the cruise control brake switch is very easy if you have the right tools and know the exact location of the device. If you have read these instructions and are still not 100% sure about the completion of this repair, please contact one of your local AvtoTachki ASE certified mechanics to do the job of replacing the cruise control brake switch for you.
