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Dear Car Talk: The cruise control on my 2010 Kia Soul Sport no longer activates when I press the on and off button. The car has 193,000 miles on.
I’d appreciate a diagnosis and a suggestion for how to fix it. — Gene
After only 193,000 miles? I assume you’ve already tried pounding the bejeebers out of the dashboard with your fists and yelling at it, Gene. That’s how I always start my repair jobs.
The cruise control relies on a chain of inputs to operate safely these days. And if any one of them fails, the cruise control won’t engage. So, I can’t give you a precise diagnosis, but I can tell you some things I’d check.
I’d check the switch itself. After 16 years, the contacts inside that switch may be worn out and not making contact anymore.
I’d check the brake, ECU, and instrument cluster fuses. The cruise control requires input from each of those items to operate safely.
And I’d check to see if your car had its brake light switch replaced under a recall Kia initiated years ago. If you tap the brakes, the cruise control disengages. And if the car thinks the brakes are being tapped because the brake light switch is faulty, that’ll produce the same result.
Finally, I’d check for other warning lights on the dashboard. If your airbag light is on, you could have a broken clock spring. That’s the device through which the steering wheel wiring runs, while allowing the steering wheel to turn.
Definitely check that brake light switch recall, Gene. If yours was never replaced under the recall, Kia should do that for free. And that might solve your cruise control problem, Gene. And also explain why so many drivers have been making rude gestures at you while passing you.
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