Cruise control switch quickie cleaning
08-21-2005, 12:46 PM
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Cruise control switch quickie cleaning
Recently, my cruise control is failing to engage when I push the "set" button again. The whole stalk was replaced once under warranty and it worked great for a couple of years. Then about a year ago it started acting up again so I blasted the switch with Radio Shack contact cleaner/lube and that cured it for a while.
Now it's acting up again and a few quick shots of RS cleaner isn't helping much. The cruise will engage after pushing the button over and over, but then it disengages after 20-minutes or so and I have to push the button a bunch of times before it will reengage.
I searched the archives and found a great write-up with photos by MaserA4. After looking at MasterA4's photos I realized two things…
One- I'm lazy and don't want to remove the airbag and steering wheel to completely disassemble the cruise switch.
Two- After looking at the photos of inside of the switch, I doubt I'm getting much cleaner to the switch contacts.
So, armed with a can of RS cleaner and my fingernails, I did some minor disassembly to better my odds of getting the switch cleaned out and functioning properly.
The first step is to pry off the "ON/OFF/RES" switch.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-0.jpg">
Be careful not to loose the switch detent roller.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-3.jpg">
Also do not loose the detent spring attached to the back of the switch.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-2.jpg">
Next, use your fingernails to carefully pry off the front and rear switch covers. Just press your nail into the grove between the cover and the body of the switch and carefully pull the cover away, working your nail all the way down to the stalk.
I found that there was a lot of cleaner inside the covers and not much actually got to the switch.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-4.jpg">
The wiring harness is too short to allow you to remove the switch from the stalk, but you will be able to get much more cleaner into the switch now, rather than filling the front and rear covers with cleaner.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-5.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-6.jpg">
Since the switch detent roller was originally greased, I figured it would be a good idea to re-lube it. I gave the slot where the roller goes a shot of lithium grease and replaced the pin, front cover, "ON/OFF/RES" switch and rear switch cover.
The whole operation took only a few minutes and cost next to nothing, hope this takes care of the cruise control problems I have been having (fingers crossed).
Robert
'97 1.8t (B7 on order)
Now it's acting up again and a few quick shots of RS cleaner isn't helping much. The cruise will engage after pushing the button over and over, but then it disengages after 20-minutes or so and I have to push the button a bunch of times before it will reengage.
I searched the archives and found a great write-up with photos by MaserA4. After looking at MasterA4's photos I realized two things…
One- I'm lazy and don't want to remove the airbag and steering wheel to completely disassemble the cruise switch.
Two- After looking at the photos of inside of the switch, I doubt I'm getting much cleaner to the switch contacts.
So, armed with a can of RS cleaner and my fingernails, I did some minor disassembly to better my odds of getting the switch cleaned out and functioning properly.
The first step is to pry off the "ON/OFF/RES" switch.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-0.jpg">
Be careful not to loose the switch detent roller.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-3.jpg">
Also do not loose the detent spring attached to the back of the switch.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-2.jpg">
Next, use your fingernails to carefully pry off the front and rear switch covers. Just press your nail into the grove between the cover and the body of the switch and carefully pull the cover away, working your nail all the way down to the stalk.
I found that there was a lot of cleaner inside the covers and not much actually got to the switch.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-4.jpg">
The wiring harness is too short to allow you to remove the switch from the stalk, but you will be able to get much more cleaner into the switch now, rather than filling the front and rear covers with cleaner.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-5.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/cruise-6.jpg">
Since the switch detent roller was originally greased, I figured it would be a good idea to re-lube it. I gave the slot where the roller goes a shot of lithium grease and replaced the pin, front cover, "ON/OFF/RES" switch and rear switch cover.
The whole operation took only a few minutes and cost next to nothing, hope this takes care of the cruise control problems I have been having (fingers crossed).
Robert
'97 1.8t (B7 on order)
08-21-2005, 02:38 PM
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Hey Andy!
I've been on the B7 forum a lot lately, trying to get the scoop on the '06 models. Audiworld to the rescue, again.
Dealers don't know (or won't tell) much about '06 models and Audi website is still showing '05 models.
It's a long story, but here's what's on order.
2.0T,Q,manual,premium,sunroof,sports,quartz grey w/black interior.
The wait is killing me, could be 2 or 3 months.
In the meantime, I'm just trying to sort out a few minor issues with my B5. I want it to be perfect for the next owner.
How's your ride these days?
Robert
Dealers don't know (or won't tell) much about '06 models and Audi website is still showing '05 models.
It's a long story, but here's what's on order.
2.0T,Q,manual,premium,sunroof,sports,quartz grey w/black interior.
The wait is killing me, could be 2 or 3 months.
In the meantime, I'm just trying to sort out a few minor issues with my B5. I want it to be perfect for the next owner.
How's your ride these days?
Robert
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08-21-2005, 02:50 PM
#8
AudiWorld Super User
Re: Hey Andy!
Sounds sweet! Whoever buys yours is sure to get a gem. My ride is doing alright, the list of "things to fix" seems unending.....and I keep putting it off of course. I actually just moved down to Miami (got married a month ago), so I had the car shipped down--which was nice not having to make the drive. But it's hot as hell down here (more humid than MEM, believe it or not!) and priority #1 is to get the A/C in tip top shape. Take it easy!
Andy
Andy
