multiple intermittent cruise control problems

Be forewarned folks, you may have issues with the cruise control functionality. There were several times where the cruise control would simply not come on. You turn it on via the button on the steering wheel. This happened dozens of times where I simply could not turn the cruise control on. However, of those times I was able to finally turn it on, I was able to set the speed accordingly and never had the cruise control fail once set or during operation. The dealership told me they could not retrieve any fault codes initially that the last tiem it occurred was several days ago and it since no longer stores the fault(s). So the next time I brought it in made sure it failed right before brining it in. Again, they could not find anything. The last time I dropped the car off for an entire week as the cruise control failed altogether or rather would only work about 1 out of 15 times. They indicated they found the problem - it was the cruise control switch mentioned earlier located on the steering wheel. Great right ? Well here I am roughly 2 months later and its failed again three times. I did discover though on one occasion that upon moving the tilt steering wheel back up and in, the cruise control began to work - that is, I was able to turn it on. No doubt it would appear that the intermittent problem has something to do with the cable harness in the steering column and or the connection(s) between the rotating part of the steering wheel and the non rotating / stationary part of the steering column..........in the year I've had this Dart it has been relatively speaking great to drive but an absolute friggin nightmare with a multitude of little nickel and dime bullshit problems with this vehicle.

 

Be forewarned folks, you may have issues with the cruise control functionality. There were several times where the cruise control would simply not come on. You turn it on via the button on the steering wheel. This happened dozens of times where I simply could not turn the cruise control on. However, of those times I was able to finally turn it on, I was able to set the speed accordingly and never had the cruise control fail once set or during operation. The dealership told me they could not retrieve any fault codes initially that the last tiem it occurred was several days ago and it since no longer stores the fault(s). So the next time I brought it in made sure it failed right before brining it in. Again, they could not find anything. The last time I dropped the car off for an entire week as the cruise control failed altogether or rather would only work about 1 out of 15 times. They indicated they found the problem - it was the cruise control switch mentioned earlier located on the steering wheel. Great right ? Well here I am roughly 2 months later and its failed again three times. I did discover though on one occasion that upon moving the tilt steering wheel back up and in, the cruise control began to work - that is, I was able to turn it on. No doubt it would appear that the intermittent problem has something to do with the cable harness in the steering column and or the connection(s) between the rotating part of the steering wheel and the non rotating / stationary part of the steering column..........in the year I've had this Dart it has been relatively speaking great to drive but an absolute friggin nightmare with a multitude of little nickel and dime bullshit problems with this vehicle.

that's interesting about the tilt. My only peoblem with cruise is that it always sets to 1 km lower than the speed I am currently going

-pitajr

 

First.. would people here please learn to format !!!!!!!!!!!
Hitting the ENTER key at least once at the end of a sentence is an easy way to force a line break. Twice for a new paragraph
The run-on no paragraph posts are impossible to read...

O.P.
Have you had any issues with any other available feature on the steering wheel?
You don't say but did you ever mention to the service advisor that the cruise will start working again if you re-position the steering wheel?

 

As a matter of fact I have had (are having) other issues with available features on the steering wheel. Th most critical one of all that the dealership recently discovered when I went in for both an oil change and the first State Inspection and the faile dit for .....you guessed it, the horn ! That's right the horn doesn't work ! Lovely huh ! ? so here we go again. Another f%^&'n day off of work *vacation day) to bring this vehicle in to have them fix this problem....lovely huh ! ? this vehicle is killing me with the chicken shit bullshit problems.....this is the stuff I'd expect to see after its 10 plus years old, not on a one year anniversary. The list of problems this vehicle had had / is having will continue to have after one year and 24,000 miles of operation is unfathomable and completely unacceptable..........I wouldn't mind so much if Chrysler would lend me a rental until they can fix the laundry list of problems..... the dealership opted NOT to put a REJECT STICKER on the one year old vehicle due to the horn function not working simply because it WOULD HAVE TO BE fixed immediately and they could not take care of then right away, I have to subsequently make an appointment and I'd have to take a day off etc. etc. etc., nice huh ! ? what a joke.

 

Central Dodge is the dealer you've been using?
Seems like any other dealer option is hours away from you?

Try this..
Write or type out the complete "laundry list"
Go in and talk to the GM or owner and say.. I bought this car here..I have had it in for service x or xx times
This is what is NOT fixed as of today
I would like you to take personal ownership of my issues and get them fixed
I need a loaner vehicle while you take care of this list of issues

If you get zero help
Call Chrysler and bitch loudly.. get them to open a case.. email or fax them the list for their case...

In all honesty it's not really the vehicle
It's the piss poor service you are getting

I tested the horn, lights, signals, checked the oil, tranny fluid, etc before I even drove off the lot

There's no way in hell you should have a vehicle without a working horn..
It shouldn't have made it out of the factory for the horn and cruise issues alone.
I'd kill to see a Factory PDI sheet.. I bet neither of those are on it..

 

I have the same issues with the cruise as well. Its not a huge pain for me, I just turn the cruise on as soon as I start the car up (always works then) and then set when I need it. Ill be getting it looked at the next time it goes in for service

 

I have had this problem sence I got mine in April of 2013 and they could never find the problem until all of my voice command stuff stopped working and my odometer started flashing. Now they are replacing the PCM next week. They say that is what is causing all of my problems, but I will see.

 

dsiglinger

Sounds like they've finally found the issue!
This module handles a lot of systems on your Dart and sounds like the needed repair based on the symptoms you're having.

 

Went back to the dealer and he replaced the whole center stack but that didn't fix it so now I have to wait for them to get the hands-free module in and replace that.

 

dsiglinger,

Is it possible you send me your VIN? I'd like to look into this a little further for you in the meantime.
Please include the name of your dealer as well.

 

My car is doing the same thing but if I shut the car off then start it again the cruise will work. I did get a check engine light a few times that had to do with the clutch pedal switch. I am waiting till it comes back on then it will be off to the dealer. Yay!

 

Have the same problem. The cruise control module was replaced. Worked consistently... until this weekend. It seems to work when it feels like it. No check engine lights.

 

Well here we go again with the god dam cruise control on my car not friggin working AGAIN. The dealership thought they had it fixed this last time back on Dec 14, 2013 but its failing to operate more often than not again for the umpteenth friggin time. Unlike the previous times it was failing though, this time I'm sometimes able to get it to work if I push the steering column all the way back in, press the cruise control ON button and then it may turn on; if that doesn't work it won't ever turn on for the entire trip and you have subsequently wait until the next morning or that evening despite turning the car on or off etc.

So back to the dealership I go again folks !! on another vacation day (scheduled for April 18th, 2014). Just a fine beautiful piece of equipment I got here. I hope by then, the functionality of the cruise control will have failed altogether so the dealership can finally figure out where exactly the problem is originating from .... I'm going to start investigating what my options are for invoking the Lemon Law with this vehicle. This is insane I tell you. I'm very, very concerned that after the warranty expires I'm going to be left with a host of electrical problems and quiet possibly mechanical too. There's has just been WAY to many issue for a new vehicle to have. This car has all the makings of a real lemon.............

 

@hemihead - Even if you don't have an attempted repair on the same issue 3 times you should start talking to Chrysler about a freebie extended warranty as you are having well documented issues with the Dart.
Do NOT mention "Lemon Law" while at the dealer... just negotiate based on past and current history of the car. Clearly you have bent over backwards to show and get issues repaired now it's FCA's turn to help you ...

If you haven't already you should shoot your dealer name and VIN to @DodgeCACares so he can check your case

 

Webtiger,

Thank you, I hope I can shed some light and help hemihead.

 

Well thank you Webtiger for all your insight and help. Very kind of you.

 

possible candidates for these service publications:

TSB 08-010-14
SUBJECT:
Cruise Control Slow Or No Response
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves upgrading the software on the Steering Column Control Module
(SCCM).

Star case # S1208000373
Symptom/Vehicle Issue:
Horns, Windows, Mirrors, Vehicle Theft, Speed Control, Rear Defroster, Operate Intermittently
Discussion:
Some early reports indicate an IP harness (instrument panel) routed incorrectly at gas pedal, bracket
location. Inspect the gas pedal bracket under the instrument panel at the lower inner bulkhead.
Reposition, repair, and or replace harness as needed to complete.

TCR case # 12832865
Tech recommendation: clutch switch shows pressed. replaced clutch switch.

TCR case # 60205711
Tech reports replacing the SCCM corrected the concern

 

My car had the exact same problems and it was a wire by the clutch pedal that was routed incorrectly and eventually after using the clutch often enough it wore thru the wire and caused my check engine light to come. When the dealer ran the code it was clutch pedal switch a/b corellation "blah blah blah" they moved the wire and taped it up. So far so good, the crusie has worked everytime and no cel.

 

Went back to the dealer and the replaced the hands-free module and it fixed the problem with the handsfree stuff but am still having the cruz control problem. I know it has to be in the steering collem because when it won't work I can push the steering wheel in and pull it back out and get it to work.

 

dsiglinger,

I can't say for sure, but it sounds like a connection issue if it's working after being moved around a bit.

 

Well I think I fixed my cruze control problem. I took the switches out and when I pulled them out it looked like the connecter was loose. I plugged it back in put everything back together and have not had any problems yet. Wish I would have done this a year ago.

 

dsiglinger,

Great news !
Happy to hear you got the bottom of things.

Keep us posted on the longevity of the fix.
Cheers

 

Well so far it has been a little over a month and my Cruz is still working. Only time it has not worked is when I get the p0299 code and that has only happened twice that I know of for just a second when I really got on my car and hit about 6000 rpms

 

dsiglinger,

So far so good!

Seems like you're out of the woods on this issues.
Take care!

 

Guys,

I'm having this same problem. When you took the "switch" out, you mean you just pulled the cruise button off of the steering wheel? What did you use?

 

Nothing?

 

How to activate cruise control