1997 jetta cruise control problem

[smirish10]

My cruise control rarely works, sometimes it works and then just disengages on it's own. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the exact location and/or number of the cruise control fuse/relay.

Also I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions on fixing this problem if it is not just a simple relay/fuse replacement. First if some could post diagrams or anything helpful so I can check the relay/fuse first. Thanks.

[BluesCruiser]

join the crowd

[frostie]

Common problem. There is a shop on E-bay that rebuilds them for about $75. I had mine done, and works like a charm now.

[[email protected]]

what is this shop on ebay? i too have no cruise control in my 97 jetta!

[frostie]

www.autoecu.com

There may be others, but I found these guys on E-Bay. They were fast and cheap and the repaired cruise unit works like a charm.

[fez]

my cruise control won't even work

[mkiiicruisecontrol]

I think this is a HUGE problem with the MKIII VW's. When looking to buy my used jetta, I test drove 3 MKIII Jettas total, and the cruise control did not work on ANY of them. After settling on my current 97 Jetta Diesel, I decided to troubleshoot the cruise control myself, using the bentley manual, every component passed, except the cruise control ECU, part number 5GA 004 397-11 (or alternately 1H0 907 305). I have read on several websites that this is a common component to fail. The local VW dealership wanted more than $500 CND for a new one, which is extorsion for a printed circuit board housed in an aluminum can if you ask me.
Next I bought a used ECU for $6.00 from a 94 Jetta in the junk yard, installed it, and it didn't work either, so that ECU must be faulty as well. A friend of mine told me he had the same problem on his 2000 VW Golf.

Makes me wonder why VW did not issue a recall, or if it is just planned obsolescence?

As a final attempt, I just sent my used cruise control ECU to "Module Master" located in Moscow, Idaho, USA (www.modulemaster.com). Module Master quoted me $65.00 plus shipping to repair my old one, and they offer a 5 year Warranty, which is far better than VW's 1 year, 20,000km warranty if they sell you a new one. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Module Master to come through!

[gdjm91]

Here is a way to fix the cruise control and it really works I fixed it on mines. It just replaces the old DEFECTIVE relay with another one not really expensive. And the module is a silver box behind the headlight switch. (Note: I did this in my 1999 Jetta III but it might work to any kind of JETTA III)
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3434133

[Vetterun]

I would like to thank both "mkiiicruisecontrol" and "gdjm91" for their feedback on the Jetta cruise control ECM failures. Both were a huge help and ModuleMaster rocks! My 1998 Jetta GLX now cruises like it should. Cheers!