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Cruise control won't work?

Why does cruise control only work at certain speeds?

  • take my 01 f150 for example.... if im going 25 mph or more, cruise control will work and stay. if im doing 24 mph or less, the cruise control will stick for a second, stop and the truck will slowly creep down..... also, what would change the cruise control in 2 years? i had a '99 mercury mystique before this, and when i would set the cruise control, it would go 5 mph over, and come back down. go 5 mph and go back down, etc. but in the 01 f150, you set the cruise control and it would stay there, and not fluctuate. what were the differences between the cruise controls?

  • Answer:

    That's a good question. Both Ford systems are designed to operate at speed from 30-125 mph. Below this the system will not set since mechanical throttle regulation is less precise and safety wise could result in irratic "jerking" operation. No manufacture has a set speed below 25mph. Both use a stepper motor to actuate a throttle cable and the only input that controls throttle operation is the speed sensor. To answer the question about the Mercs irratic operation, I would guess that either refinements in the vehicle speed sensor design or the physical wear of the servo would account for the newer truck being more stable at speed. Even with the newer electronic throttles, Ford still retains the same minimum set speed.

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Efficiency of the systems. Your Mercury cruise would drift 5 mph and reset to desired speed. The 150 has a better speed Controller and recognizes your preset speed quicker reducing the drift. Electronics in the Ford lines have markedly improved since 2000. Your 150 was designed not to engage the cruise below 25mph. There was a fix on the mercury mystique's at the dealers to correct the drifting mph. I don't remember now if it was a recall or a customer satisfaction repair, anyway, I remember it didn't cost anything to have the fix done,,,,but customer had to complain.

testpilot61

Most cruise control systems operate with the engine's vacuum system. At low speeds, the engine does not produce sufficient vacuum to reliably operate both the cruise and the power assisted brakes, so the cruise cuts off. Newer vehicles may also use digital computer controls to maintain a more steady speed.

JetDoc

It is pretty standard that cruise control will not work below a certain speed. I don't know the exact rationale, but it is probably safety related in some way. It sounds like the Mystique probably just needed some adjustment. I had a car that did that and after I took up some slack in some cable or other (don't remember the details) it was much better. I also bet that as cars have become more "drive by wire" it has been easier to maintain the cruise speed.

Brian A

Idk

Valentine Love

My 2000 Buick Century only cruises at 35mph and above. I imagine it just depends on where the manufacturer sets them

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