The cruise control brake release switch allows you to turn off the cruise control. On vehicles with a manual transmission, there is a clutch release switch that cancels the cruise control when the clutch pedal is pressed in. In addition, there is also a button on the steering wheel that will turn the cruise control off when it is pressed. On both automatic and manual vehicles, there is another safety switch that activates once you press the brake pedal down. This is called the cruise control brake release switch.
The components of the cruise control system include the module, the body control module, brake pedal switch, clutch pedal switch, the speed sensor, the throttle actuator motor, and the cruise control indicator lamps. If the brake release switch is not working, meaning it does not open, the cruise control will not cancel when you press the brake pedal down. If the switch does not close, the cruise control will not be able to be set in the first place.
A blown fuse can affect the cruise control brake release switch. There may be a reason the circuit has blown, such as an electrical overload, or one of the wires could have gone bad over time. If this happens, the cruise control brake release switch may need to be replaced as well. It is best to have a professional mechanic diagnose the problem so all the issues are resolved at once.
If the brake pedal switch is misadjusted or faulty, the cruise control will not turn on at all. The brake pedal and cruise control share the same switch, so one way to check if it’s faulty is to step on the brake pedal and see if the brake lights come on. If no lights come on, there could be a faulty brake pedal switch.
Since the cruise control brake release switch can fail over time, it is important for you to know the symptoms.
Signs that your cruise control brake release switch needs to be replaced include:
- The cruise control will not turn on or set at all
- The cruise control will not turn off when you press the brake pedal down
- The cruise control cuts out while you are driving
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, book a service with a professional mechanic.
