For no reason I could tell my cruise quit working. on this trip back to KY i would hit the on button and set and nothing would happen. Now the cruise light will flash once when you hit the set button but that's it. So i know it's coming on. My ABS light has been on for about a year but a ford tech told me as long as i didn't HAVE to have ABS it would be ok, just don't slam on them. Could this be connected? I know it's probably not, just thought i would ask. My father, ex mechanic said it could be the fuse... but... if it was the fuse why would it flash when i hit set? That means when i turn the cruise on, it is coming on. it just won't set, or well that's how it seems to me.

 

Check the third brake lite bulb. That is supposed to stop it from working. Also check the pressure switch on the front of the master cylinder. Pull the plug and check to see if the switch is leaking into the plug. There is a ohm resistance value to check for at the switch, but most leak at the same time the value goes out of spec. The switch is about $30. Just screw the new one in.

 

check the fuse for the abs. there is something about the abs the cruise control and the brake sensor on the master cyl. all share the same fuse. the sensor shorts out and blows the fuse. but if your cruise is activating by turning the cruise light on then deactivating right away. the cruise is probly seeing the brake pedal sensed and turning the cruise off right away.

this could turn into any number of wiring problems to bad module so lets check every fuse and make sure the brake lights work first.

 

This pressure switch, after removing it do you have to bleed the brakes?

 

I did not, and the brakes work the same as before I changed it. I was by myself when I changed it. If my wife was there when I changed it, I would have started the new switch and her slowly depress the brake pedal while I tightened it while keepping her aware not to let up on the pedal until told to do so.

 

It may be the clockspring. My cruise worked one weekend and not the next then it worked again and finally quit for good. The wires inside the clockspring can break and make a partial contact and work then quit. I replaced my clockspring a couple weeks ago and it took care of it.

 

Well guys I got mine half way fixed, I replaced the sensor on the Master cylinder and replaced the fuse and now it doesnt blow anymore the interlock also works again... but the ABS light is still on... can you pull abs codes with a regular code reader? like will codes come up for it?

 

The ABS light is on due to the rear wheel speed sensor needing to be replaced. I had to replace mine a couple of weeks ago because the light suddenly came on. I had the codes pulled and it turned out to be the raar wheel speed sensor that is mounted on top of the rear wheel dif. The Ford parts salesman said they go out all the time. The new one cost about 25 bucks and was easy to install. I'm back here today because last night, my cruise control stopped working. It does the exact thing you describe, the light flashed when I hit the button but goes off as soon as I let go. I read in the Haynes manual the same sensor is tied into the cruise control. Now I've got to find out if I got a bad new sensor or if something else went bad.

When I pulled the plug off the master cylinder, I noticed there was brake fluid in it. Is that normal?

 

It is not normal, but it is common. This switch is bad. Change it.

 

I changed the switch and the problem was solved. Part cost $29.02 (expensive for such a small part) and took a whole 5 minutes if that to install. The ford part dealer said they go out all the time. If that is the case, they should be more like 10 bucks. Oh well, I shouldn't complain, the problem is fixed.