Passsat Cruise Control

I recently purchased a 1999 Passat from a private party, and really like the car...the cruise control worked fine on my test drive, but on the way home and ever since it's been very quirky...works and doesn't work, and sometimes when it's working it simply shuts-off after awhile. I read somewhere (here?) that sometimes it's the brake overide switch. Well, the other day I hooked my foot under the brake pedal, pulled upward and bingo, it came on! It doesn't always work to hook the pedal, but I think that's the problem. Now where the heck is the switch and how do you replace it? I assume that the under-dash panel is concealing it, but I don't even see how to remove it...does it clip, slide, screw in place?...or am I looking in the wrong place, maybe it's under the hood?

thanks, p

I've had the same problem with my '95 VR6 for a couple of years now. I am able to get it turned on by just hold in the button for at least 5 seconds. This is this first I've heard about the brake override switch. I have no answers, but I do appreciate the info!

Good luck with your new car.

O

i had a '99 passat (sold it) but i had the same issue. i would have to try to engage it 2-3 times to get it to work. the controls were also put in a stupid place.

my 96 passat wagon does the same thing.works sometimes,and times it doesnt. strange my car truly has a mind of its own.

Hi P,

I have the same problem on my 1999 Passat 1.8T. I bought it 2 mnths ago (I am the second owner). Cruise Control worked fine on test drive but after I bought the car, it worked for a little bit and the just stopped working. I can hear the relays clicking when i engage it, but it wont stay on. When it worked, it used to come off all of a sudden sometimes.

Have you resolved your problem ? If yes, how?

Many thanks !

Andreas

Just got the car back from the dealer. I asked them to check the cruise control (among others) and they said that they need to replace the cruise control rod. Its on backorder so it may take a couple of weeks to get one.

Anyone knows what a cruise control rod is ? Any engine diagrams that show it perhaps ? I am really curious about it ..

thanks
-andreas

I have the same problem: sometimes the cruise control does not work.

When I stopped the car and I saw, that the brake lights were on, even if I don't push the brake.

After switching on/off a couple times the headlight, the brake lights went off and the cruise control started to work again. So it must be a short-circuit somewhere.

The most comon cause of cruise failure on Passats is the vacuum vent valve on the brake pedal (and clutch if applicable). The switches are both electrical and vacuum. The vacuum vent seal will begin to leak & causes intermittent failure to engage or loss of speed on hills. Sometimes you can help them along by readjusting or pulling up on the pedal, but eventually they need to be replaced.

I've had my Passat for a couple of years now (97 VR6 - 5 speed). The cruise control has always worked until about 3 weeks ago. I went to use it one day, and nothing. It's not going on and off, or working sometimes, it's NOT working at all. I've tried pulling up on the break and clutch, holding the set botton for 5+ secs, but nothing is working. I too tried to find the infamous 5 amp fuse, but it's seems very hidden. Should I still try this first? Does it matter that my car is 5 speed? Do I need a wiring schematic to be able to test and see if it's getting power? Any advise would be appreciated.

The infamous 5A hidden fuse is only on automatics. Yours uses fuse 14 (10A) and fuse 20 (10A). You can check that there is 12V+ going into & out of both wires on the electrical parts of the vacuum switches. Also follow the vacuum hose through the firewall to the vacuum pump on the left fenderwell. Check all those hoses and vacuum lines for cracks. After that you will have to find the cruise control module located under the center console for further tests.

Awesome boschmann! I checked those fuses, and # 14 was blown. The cruise control is back to working perfectly. Knock on wood, hopefully it will stay that way!

The most comon cause of cruise failure on Passats is the vacuum vent valve on the brake pedal (and clutch if applicable). The switches are both electrical and vacuum. The vacuum vent seal will begin to leak & causes intermittent failure to engage or loss of speed on hills. Sometimes you can help them along by readjusting or pulling up on the pedal, but eventually they need to be replaced.



Would this explain why my cruise control on my 1999 passat comes off periodically when i go over a hill? Like other posts, its very quirky; sometimes I can re-engage it, other times I have to wait 20 minutes; other times, it works perfectly. Is there a way to trouble shoot whether it is the clutch switch or brake switch? Thanks

The infamous 5A hidden fuse is only on automatics.
Hi,

How do I find this? I have looked everywhere for it. I have a passat -99 TDI Aut. Is there a light in the instrumentpanel that shows that the cruise control is activated?