Cruise control on 1998 Grand Caravan

[TravRMK]

The Cruise control just didn't work one day last year, and still does not work. I replaced the switch in the steering wheel, and still nothing. The light doesn't come on or anything. I thought it mught be the clock spring, but the horn still works fine. Could the clock spring still be faulty if the horn works? The clock spring has not been replaced, and I am aware of the recall. Is the spring, and labor covered even if they determine the spring is fine? How much does it cost to have replaced if it is not faulty? Is there anything else I should check? I checked the hoses, and conections under the hood, at least all the obvious ones I could see.

Thanks

[cbwilsha]

Yes, the clock spring could still be bad if the horn works. In any event, your 98 is covered by a clockspring recall and should be done whether that's your problem or not. Recalls are done at no cost to you either for the part or labor and irregardless of whether the part turns out to be bad.

C.B.

[eldiablo1100]

for the clockspring recall, the dealers will only replace it for free if the car has less then 70,000 miles on it. or if it were to fail.

the recall covers all labor, diagnostic charges, and parts costs.

if you take it to the dealer and he finds it's not a clockspring problem, he'll probablly charge you for the diagnostic work.

[TravRMK]

Well, the van has about 95,000 miles on it. Anyone know haow much the clock spring is, and what tools are required. I mean will I need any special tools?

[B33p3r]

Before digging into the clock spring, check your brake pedal switch. It has 2 sets of contacts through it..1 for the brake lights and a 2nd set of contacts to disengage your cruise control when you step on the brake. The switch isn't too bad to pull out. Check for continuity through both sets of contacts if your not sure which one is for the cruise. With the meter across the contacts , activate the switch. Continuity should change. One set of contacts is normally open and the other is normally closed. I can't remember which is which...either way a change in continuity is all you're looking for. If the switch is bad, it cost about $12.00 for a new one.

[TravRMK]

Thanks for the reply. I will check the switch.

[TravRMK]

Checked the switch, and measures fine. Guess I will have to replace the clock sapring.

[gromittoo]

I installed Factory Cruise on my 2001 voyager. There are a lot of other things that could cause the Cruise to stop working. It is designed to be "fail safe", with interlocks. It could be as simple as the connector to the vacuum motor being loose, or a leaky hose to the vacuum resivior (part of the battery holder in the 01 van). If you have access to a scanner, there may be a trouble code stored that would be really helpful. I have heard that some auto parts stores do this for free.

[TravRMK]

I checked all the connections I could see, and find. There are no trouble codes. I have a scan tool, and had checker, and autozone scan it too, and there were no codes, but I don't know if it will pick up cruise problems. Doesn't it just monitor the power train?

[TravRMK]

Anyone know where to get a clockspring online? The dealer wants $120 for it, and doesn't have one in stock.

[B33p3r]

I'm pretty sure the fords have a diagnostic routine you can run by holding the cruise switch during start. Does any one know if chrysler has something similiar???

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by eldiablo1100

for the clockspring recall, the dealers will only replace it for free if the car has less then 70,000 miles on it. or if it were to fail.

the recall covers all labor, diagnostic charges, and parts costs.

if you take it to the dealer and he finds it's not a clockspring problem, he'll probablly charge you for the diagnostic work.

I don't think this is correct, I had mine replaced at almost 80k with the air bag light on.

[charlie3]

My cruise switches stopped working and I traced it to the clockspring. When I called the dealer for the part, they were nice enough to tell me about a possible recall.
I had about 120K on it and they did the whole thing for free.
I'm glad too, I didn't want to risk the air bags.