2005 with no cruise control

I have read several older posts about cruise control failing or being intermittent due to a sensor on the brake master cylinder/booster. The cruise control in my mother's explorer is not functioning and I have no idea where to start without a service manual or throwing parts at it. She said that it worked intermittently for a while but no longer functions at all. I have checked all of the fuses and tried the "wiggle" test with every wire I could reach. Any advice would be greatly appreciated in figuring this out since she uses it a fair bit for traveling.

2005 Explorer XLT 4.0L 2wd with Advantrak RSC

-Ben

Recently I tried the cruise on my 2004 Aviator and it did not work. The indicator on the instrument cluster did not light up either so it wasn't just a servo cable issue. I tried the other buttons on the steering wheel and they all worked so I figured it was not a problem with the clockspring. The only other thing I tried was to unplug the connector at the servo, inspected it, put some dielectric compound on the contacts, and reinstalled. The next time I drove the Aviator I tried the cruise and it worked as good as new. We'll see if this ends up to be a long term solution.

My prior 2004 Mountaineer with the 4.6L V8 had throttle by wire rather than a cable actuated throttle, and therefore it did not have a cruise servo. For some reason my Aviator of the same year with the DOHC V8 has a cable. If the 2005 V6 also has throttle by wire, it will not have a cruise servo or associated connector.

-Rod

Thanks for the reply. I am 95% certain it is a throttle by wire setup in it unfortunately so I have no idea about where to look into it now. Guess it will have to be a project for a later date or someone else to work on.

-Ben

Do all other buttons on the steering wheel work properly?

-Rod

The only buttons on the wheel are the cruise control buttons and seeing that I can't turn it on, I don't know if the others function. I have had another issue arise yesterday (while in wyoming for vacation) where the brake shift interlock is not releasing when applying the brake. In order to shift from park I am now using a screwdriver in the underside of the steering column to override it whilst on vacation. Thanks for the help.

-Ben

The shift interlock is a sign that the brake pedal switch has failed. I'm not sure what all years were impacted, but when this happened on my 2004 Aviator I discovered that there is a redesigned switch and wiring harness. Apparently it's been a pretty common issue. I was able to pick up the new switch and harness pigtail at O'Reilly Auto Parts for under $20 and it was in stock. There is a chance that replacing the switch could also fix the cruise issue.

-Rod

Rod,

Do you know of a way to test the switch and of the name that would be in the part store system? I called an O'Reilly and they didn't seem to follow what I was trying to explain to them or I wasn't understanding them.

-Ben

O'Reilly's probably calls it a "stop light switch" or "brake pedal position switch". The quick test is to see if the brake lights are lit when the brake pedal is depressed but the shift interlock is still locked. The less easy but more accurate way to test is to use a multimeter or test light to see if you are getting constant 12Vdc in to the switch but nothing out when the brake pedal is pressed. That has to be done at the switch itself which is mounted on the brake pedal arm. With the adjustable pedal assembly the switch assembly is pretty sizable and mounted in a unique way, not as simple as the old school stop light switches.

-Rod

I'm throwing in the towel and carrying it to a shop in town. Got to looking earlier and there is another switch that I assume is related to the cruise control with the wires ripped out of the connector. No brake lights either and several days of work to catch up on. Thanks for the help and advice. I'll put up what turns out being the issue.

Ben

I can almost bet that the control buttons on the side of the steering wheel are the problem. I have done a shit-load of these control buttons on Ford vehicles over the years.

I can almost bet that the control buttons on the side of the steering wheel are the problem. I have done a shit-load of these control buttons on Ford vehicles over the years.

They may be the cause of the cruise not working, but they won't be the source of the brake lights not working....

-Rod

It turned out to be the stop light switch in conjunction with an old alarm system that wasn't completely removed. Sorry for taking several months to get back on here.

-Ben

Glad to hear you got it sorted out, and thank you for following back up. Definitely better late than never!

-Rod