VW Golf TDI Cruise Control Failure Fix Guide

A very similar issue occurred on my 2004 VW Jetta TDI. As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I initially thought it might be a blown fuse, but the problem turned out to be more complex. After some troubleshooting, the workshop discovered a faulty cable connection to the speed sensor which was causing the cruise control system to fail. The dashboard light for the cruise control would illuminate but the system wouldn't engage. The repair involved checking and replacing the damaged wiring harness connecting to the steering wheel controls. Total cost was 95€ including diagnostics and labor. Since the fix, the cruise control has worked flawlessly. To better assist with your situation, could you share: Are there any other warning lights on your dashboard? Does the cruise control indicator light up at all when you try to engage it? Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Did this happen suddenly or gradually over time? Also, checking basic fuses first might save you a workshop visit, the cruise control fuse location should be listed in your owner's manual.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I performed the last service just 2 months ago at 42872km. I can confirm the cruise control light does come on briefly when starting the car but fails to engage when driving. No other warning lights are present on the dashboard. After checking the fuse box, all fuses appear intact. The brake light switch and pedal switch both seem to function normally. I suspect it might be related to the speed sensor connection you mentioned, as the symptoms match exactly, the system acknowledges but wont engage. Given the similar repair cost you shared at 95€, I might just book it in to have the wiring checked professionally rather than attempt further DIY troubleshooting. Good to know the throttle position sensor isnt likely the culprit since manual acceleration works fine.

Thanks for those additional details. Since you mentioned the cruise control light behavior and fuse check results, it does sound remarkably similar to what I experienced with my Jetta TDI. The symptoms match exactly, particularly the brief dashboard light at startup but failure to engage while driving. In my case, the speed sensor wiring had deteriorated where it passes through the engine bay, causing intermittent signal issues. After fixing the speed sensor connection and associated wiring harness, the mechanic also found some corrosion on the steering wheel controls that needed cleaning. The entire job took about 2 hours, and they performed a full diagnostic scan to ensure no other cruise control related codes remained in the system. Since your mileage is relatively low at 42872km, the wiring issue might be more related to age than wear. The rubber insulation on these cables can become brittle over time regardless of use. Having a professional trace the full wiring path from the steering wheel through to the speed sensor is likely your best course of action. Keep in mind to have them check the ground connections too, in some cases, poor grounding can cause similar symptoms without triggering other dashboard lights or electrical issues.

Appreciate the detailed feedback and diagnosis suggestion. Since posting my initial question, I did notice something else that might be relevant. When trying to activate the cruise control while driving at a steady speed on a flat road, I can hear a faint clicking sound from behind the steering wheel. Your experience with the speed sensor wiring issue seems to match my situation perfectly. The fact that your car had deteriorated wiring in the engine bay makes sense, as these cars are now quite old. The 95€ repair cost sounds reasonable considering the diagnostic work required. I have booked the car in for next week to have them check the complete wiring harness and clean the steering wheel controls. Will make sure to mention checking the ground connections too. From the symptoms and your description, I am fairly confident we are dealing with the same underlying problem. Thanks again for sharing your repair experience. The throttle position working normally during manual driving but cruise control failing to engage really does point to a wiring or sensor connection issue rather than a mechanical problem. Will update once I get the results from the workshop.