Cruise control switch quickie cleaning

RKJ · 08-21-2005, 01:46 PM

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.

Be careful not to loose the switch detent roller.

Also do not loose the detent spring attached to the back of the switch.

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.

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.

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)

Factor47 · 08-21-2005, 01:50 PM

My CC has been a little flaky as well.

Nate (ETKA+Scumbag) · 08-21-2005, 02:01 PM

Liam in Montreal · 08-21-2005, 02:23 PM

Andy_FL · 08-21-2005, 02:39 PM

So ya got the B7 on order huh? What did you end up with exactly?

Andy

RKJ · 08-21-2005, 03:38 PM

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

~~ModifiedA4~~ · 08-21-2005, 03:41 PM

Andy_FL · 08-21-2005, 03:50 PM

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

RKJ · 08-21-2005, 04:37 PM

lrrr · 08-21-2005, 05:26 PM

Noticed mine starting to not engage just yesterday

08-21-2005, 01:50 PM	#2
Factor47 New Member Account #: 78743 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 88	Nice man... that's a badass how-to My CC has been a little flaky as well.

08-21-2005, 02:01 PM	#3
Nate (ETKA+Scumbag) Keeper of the Cash Account #: 81303 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Iowa Posts: 26,418	Add this to the FAQ, if its not already in there with pictures please. __________________ "There might be intelligent beings created by God in outer space even if there are none here on Earth."

08-21-2005, 02:23 PM	#4
Liam in Montreal Elder Member Account #: 5497 Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 17,780	awesome writeup. __________________

08-21-2005, 02:39 PM	#5
Andy_FL AudiWorld Super User Account #: 12690 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 9,790	Nice job. So ya got the B7 on order huh? What did you end up with exactly? Andy __________________

08-21-2005, 03:38 PM	#6
RKJ Junior Member Account #: 990 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,041	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 __________________

08-21-2005, 01:46 PM	#1
RKJ Junior Member Account #: 990 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,041	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. Be careful not to loose the switch detent roller. Also do not loose the detent spring attached to the back of the switch. 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. 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. 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, 03:41 PM	#7
~~ModifiedA4~~ Banned Account #: 143 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 34,564	nice writeup, report back if its a success.

08-21-2005, 03:50 PM	#8
Andy_FL AudiWorld Super User Account #: 12690 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 9,790	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 __________________

08-21-2005, 04:37 PM	#9
RKJ Junior Member Account #: 990 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,041	Congratulations! __________________

08-21-2005, 05:26 PM	#10
lrrr Member Account #: 88293 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 484	nice, and with perfect timing Noticed mine starting to not engage just yesterday __________________

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