Hi All
I have a similar problem, only difference is I do not tow anything and it disengages. I jumped on the forum to seek advice. Reading through your post (I see it's more than a year ago, so maybe you sorted it out already), I can give some input.
When a trailer's earth connection fails, it tries to earth through alternate wiring. Maybe you've seen some trailers, when a light, eg. the indicator should come on, all the lights flash, or when braking, all the lights shine together.
The cruise control have a sensor on the brake wiring, which when current flows through the brake wiring, will disengage the CC. I will firstly inspect the trailer's wiring, before dismantling anything else.
Perhaps you have solved the problem already, I am still struggling with mine. I have taken the steering column apart and disconected all multiplugs, and reconnected them again in the hope that some dirt or bad connection causes the problem. I used to bang on the steering wheel, and it sometimes helped. Thus I suspect a bad connection somewhere there. I will test it on Saturday when I leave for Hartenbos (1610km).
Regards
Willie
Willieleeu,
Your symptom has the smell of a dodgy clockspring in the steering.
Keep us posted.
Roelf
Your symptom has the smell of a dodgy clockspring in the steering.
Keep us posted.
Roelf
Hi Willie,
The earth wiring makes sense, I had to redo my trailer connection not too long ago and have noticed a marked improvement, so you may have a good call there. Before it would stay engaged for 5km, now I can do around 50km which is OK, and mostly disengages when on steep hills and a lot of throttle input is required, which I understand to be a design feature.
Will be doing a few km's shortly so will be checking.
Cheers
David
The earth wiring makes sense, I had to redo my trailer connection not too long ago and have noticed a marked improvement, so you may have a good call there. Before it would stay engaged for 5km, now I can do around 50km which is OK, and mostly disengages when on steep hills and a lot of throttle input is required, which I understand to be a design feature.
Will be doing a few km's shortly so will be checking.
Cheers
David
No wiring related, but one culprit of a disengaging cc could be the vacuum tube at the cc actuator. There is a short tube (+- 4cm IIRC), with a 90 degree bend in it. If this little tube develops a hole, the cc become very erratic.
I also thought my cc probles were because of an earth problem at the towbar (which I haven't fixed yet), but Freek Jnr at Mitspro found the broken tube and the CC is now working 100%.
I also thought my cc probles were because of an earth problem at the towbar (which I haven't fixed yet), but Freek Jnr at Mitspro found the broken tube and the CC is now working 100%.
Pierre-Andre
2001 Pajero 3.5 GLS LWB
2001 Colt 3000i 4x4 D/C (SOLD)
2001 Pajero 3.5 GLS LWB
2001 Colt 3000i 4x4 D/C (SOLD)
Hi Folks
I know this thread is a little old, but just thought I would post this here for future reference.
I'm busy tracking down the infamous Error 43 on my DiD and while checking all manner of things I discovered that the cruise control will disengage when (virtually) any error condition is generated by the ECU. Now, normally, when an error is logged you will get the traction control/ABS lights coming on or the CEL coming on depending on the severity. However, these lights don't appear to come on immediately if an error condition is created. I read somewhere that the error needs to exist for 5 sec or more or something like that.
But, the ECU will disengage the cruise control AS SOON AS an error exists. I have been using this to log the conditions under which my error 43 exists as its far more accurate than the lights. You don't actually need the cruise control engaged for this, just switched on. If an error occurs the green CRUISE light will go out.
Here are a few of the conditions under which the CC will be "voided" as Mitsu so nicely put it.
Bottom line. If your CC is switching off mid flight, check for codes. It might just be doing exactly what it is being told to do.
I know this thread is a little old, but just thought I would post this here for future reference.
I'm busy tracking down the infamous Error 43 on my DiD and while checking all manner of things I discovered that the cruise control will disengage when (virtually) any error condition is generated by the ECU. Now, normally, when an error is logged you will get the traction control/ABS lights coming on or the CEL coming on depending on the severity. However, these lights don't appear to come on immediately if an error condition is created. I read somewhere that the error needs to exist for 5 sec or more or something like that.
But, the ECU will disengage the cruise control AS SOON AS an error exists. I have been using this to log the conditions under which my error 43 exists as its far more accurate than the lights. You don't actually need the cruise control engaged for this, just switched on. If an error occurs the green CRUISE light will go out.
Here are a few of the conditions under which the CC will be "voided" as Mitsu so nicely put it.
This is a real problem and members should be aware of it.
I have had the same problem on my 2001 petrol and my 2003 diesel – both automatics.
It has always been on a steep hill, always over 100kph, always with a large trailer (sometimes empty, sometimes heavy).
I have driven on the same hills in the same conditions, hundreds of times without the problem.
It can be day or night, hot or cold.
Prior to the failure, the gearbox changes down ok, probably to 4th.
The throttle disengages suddenly and completely.
I’m pretty sure the gearbox immediately “coasts” into 5th.
It is potentially very dangerous, as under these conditions, the deceleration is rapid, almost like braking, but without brake lights!
The ability to regain speed is severely compromised.
Following traffic get the same surprise as you but with no brake lights, they take longer to react.
I have no idea of the cause. I accept that the program should not attempt to maintain speed if that means over-revving at a lower gear. But it should not just disengage! It should just continue do its best.
I recommend everyone be aware of the situation, and under these conditions, maintain your foot on the accelerator, and actually apply extra pressure – it helps maintain speed anyway. I have not had a failure when doing this. This is no way definitive, but if it does occur, my reaction time will be greatly improved
I have had the same problem on my 2001 petrol and my 2003 diesel – both automatics.
It has always been on a steep hill, always over 100kph, always with a large trailer (sometimes empty, sometimes heavy).
I have driven on the same hills in the same conditions, hundreds of times without the problem.
It can be day or night, hot or cold.
Prior to the failure, the gearbox changes down ok, probably to 4th.
The throttle disengages suddenly and completely.
I’m pretty sure the gearbox immediately “coasts” into 5th.
It is potentially very dangerous, as under these conditions, the deceleration is rapid, almost like braking, but without brake lights!
The ability to regain speed is severely compromised.
Following traffic get the same surprise as you but with no brake lights, they take longer to react.
I have no idea of the cause. I accept that the program should not attempt to maintain speed if that means over-revving at a lower gear. But it should not just disengage! It should just continue do its best.
I recommend everyone be aware of the situation, and under these conditions, maintain your foot on the accelerator, and actually apply extra pressure – it helps maintain speed anyway. I have not had a failure when doing this. This is no way definitive, but if it does occur, my reaction time will be greatly improved
Bob,
If I read your post correctly, then there are two seperate parts to it:
1)A drop in ability of the cruise control to keep you going.
Here is a reminder of what the Haynes manual has to say about the system
"The cruise control system maintains speed with a vacuum actuated servo motor located in the engine compartment, which is connected to the throttle linkage by a cable. The system consists of the electronic control module, brake switch, control switches, a relay, the vehicle speed sensor and associated wiring."
If you think that the system is regressing in performance, maybe give the vacuum lines a good look.
2)The danger of the sudden, non-warning drop in speed when it kicks out.
This is real and your comments are worth taking note of. I personally get quite a fright when it happens as I think something just went bang in the motor. I'm fairly aware of this and I must admit it hardly ever happens to me - and yes, I do apply the old right foot if I think the system is going to battle. When I tow my caravan, I prefer to not use the cruise, except when things are really flat and predictable.
If I read your post correctly, then there are two seperate parts to it:
1)A drop in ability of the cruise control to keep you going.
Here is a reminder of what the Haynes manual has to say about the system
"The cruise control system maintains speed with a vacuum actuated servo motor located in the engine compartment, which is connected to the throttle linkage by a cable. The system consists of the electronic control module, brake switch, control switches, a relay, the vehicle speed sensor and associated wiring."
If you think that the system is regressing in performance, maybe give the vacuum lines a good look.
2)The danger of the sudden, non-warning drop in speed when it kicks out.
This is real and your comments are worth taking note of. I personally get quite a fright when it happens as I think something just went bang in the motor. I'm fairly aware of this and I must admit it hardly ever happens to me - and yes, I do apply the old right foot if I think the system is going to battle. When I tow my caravan, I prefer to not use the cruise, except when things are really flat and predictable.
Hi Guys,
I also ran into this problem with the cruise control.
Was sorted out when I replaced the wheelbearings! Dont know if the sideways movement of the wheels because of the worn out bearings made the sensors loose their signal or something like that.
Enjoy
I also ran into this problem with the cruise control.
Was sorted out when I replaced the wheelbearings! Dont know if the sideways movement of the wheels because of the worn out bearings made the sensors loose their signal or something like that.
Enjoy
See my previous post.
I have returned from Hartenbos and can confirm that my CC is now working fine, did only disengage once on steep mountainpas, with trailer and ran out of power. Therefore my problem was as loose or bad connection on the mutliplug behind the steering.
Regards
Willie
I have returned from Hartenbos and can confirm that my CC is now working fine, did only disengage once on steep mountainpas, with trailer and ran out of power. Therefore my problem was as loose or bad connection on the mutliplug behind the steering.
Regards
Willie