Cruise Control Failure? Check These Common Fixes First

Had the same issue with my 2010 Chevy Malibu diesel. The cruise control failed completely, and the diagnostic showed it was more than just a blown fuse. Turned out the clock spring in the steering wheel was shot, which is pretty common after 100k km. The fix required replacing the clock spring assembly since it handles the cruise control switches and other steering wheel controls. It's not a quick DIY job because you need to remove the steering wheel and deal with the airbag, definitely not something you want to mess with unless you're really experienced. Check your fuse box first though, sometimes it's just a blown fuse. If that's good, the problem is likely either the clock spring or a faulty cruise control switch in the steering wheel. A competent shop should be able to diagnose this pretty quickly with the right diagnostic equipment. This isn't a catastrophic issue, but it needs proper attention since the clock spring also affects other safety systems. Worth getting it checked by a certified shop that specializes in GM vehicles.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm having the exact same symptoms with my Cruze. After the clock spring replacement, has everything been working fine? The fuse box check showed all good on my end, so I'm pretty sure it's heading down the clock spring route too. Mind sharing what the repair ended up costing you? Also curious if you've had any other steering wheel control issues pop up since the fix.

Wanted to update you on the clock spring repair, everything's working perfectly now! Got it fixed last week and the cruise control is responding like new. The mechanic found it was actually a loose connection in the wiring harness near the throttle position sensor, not the clock spring like we initially thought. Total bill came to 95 for the repair, which was mostly labor to trace and fix the cable connection. Way cheaper than I expected, especially since I was bracing for a full clock spring replacement. No issues at all with the steering wheel controls since the fix. The cruise control switches work smoothly, and the pedal switch is engaging properly. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best, just needed someone who knew where to look for loose connections. Glad I could help point you in the right direction, even though my initial diagnosis about the clock spring wasn't spot-on. These electrical gremlins can be tricky to pin down sometimes.

After dealing with the cruise control problems, I finally took my Cruze to a different mechanic last week. Lucky for me, it wasn't the clock spring after all. The tech found a bad brake light pedal switch that was messing with the cruise control system. Also spotted a loose speed sensor connection while checking things out. Total repair came to about 150, mostly labor costs for tracking down the electrical issues. The pedal switch itself was pretty cheap. Been driving for a week now and the cruise control works perfectly. No more error codes showing up either. Sure beats the first mechanic who wanted to replace the entire steering column without even proper diagnostics. Sometimes you just need to find the right shop that'll take time to properly trace electrical problems instead of throwing parts at it. Really glad I asked here first. Having this info helped me ask better questions when I took it in for repair. Good to have the car working properly again without breaking the bank.