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Topic: cruise controle problems (Read 1219 times) previous topic - next topic

cruise controle problems

My 88 cougar has lost cruise control communication.  This spring it worked fine the first week she was on the road, but all of a sudden I went to use it and it no longer works.  Any idea on how to correct the problem.  Noticed that there wasn't any fuses listed in the manual that are associated with the cruise control.  :shakehead

Re: cruise controle problems

Reply #1 –
The circuit breaker in the #10 position on the fuse box is attached to your cruise control as well as your horn, fuel door release, and flash-to-pass function.  Check that breaker if those other things don't work either.

Otherwise, you might be looking at a malfunction in the cruise system itself.  Some people have run into dirty contacts on the buttons as the source of the problem.  Usually though an indicator of this is if you have intermittent operation of the cruise control for a while and then it quits altogether.  If it just quit all at once then there may be something wrong with the cruise module.  It is located inside the driver side fender.  You have to remove the wheel and the splash guard in the fender to access the module. 

The cruise went out on an '87 Cougar I used to have and the problem was the cable that connects the cruise module to the throttle linkage.  It just broke.  I had to buy a new cable from a Ford dealership and install it.  If you check your cable and it is not broken then the module itself may need replacement.  A junk yard piece should work fine for that.  I've owned four Cougars and never had a cruise module fail before.  I would check the cable first.
-Jim
1987 Cougar LS 5.0
 

Re: cruise controle problems

Reply #3 –
- I'll have to do some homework to detect the real problem.  First I'll check the horn - I was able to open my fuel door so it sounds like it isn't the simple thing of the breaker.  I'll have to take the wheel off and the plastic shroud to get to the module area and look for something abnormal to start with.
Thanks