[iloveanycar]

Hey folks, I’m dealing with a bit of an annoyance on my 2009 Ford Ranger with the 3.0L V6. The cruise control has decided to take an extended vacation, and it’s driving me crazy on my long commutes. Here’s what’s happening: I try to engage the cruise control, and there’s just... nothing. No light, no response—like it’s not even there.

So far, I’ve checked the basics:

• Brake Pedal Switch: I made sure the brake lights aren’t stuck on, which could be sending a signal to the system that the brakes are engaged, but everything looks normal there.
  
• Fuses: I’ve gone through the fuse box and checked the fuses related to the cruise control. All seem intact—no blown fuses.
  
• Wiring: I did a quick visual inspection of the wiring around the steering column, looking for anything obvious like loose or frayed wires, but didn’t spot anything out of place.
  

Despite these checks, the cruise control still refuses to work. I’m hoping it’s not the control module itself because I’d rather avoid an expensive repair if possible. Before I take it to the shop, does anyone have any ideas or tips on what else I should check? Maybe something I’ve overlooked? Any help would be much appreciated!

I’ve been in your shoes with my 2009 Ranger, and I know how frustrating it can be when the cruise control decides to quit on you. It sounds like you’ve already done a thorough job checking the usual suspects, so props for that. There are a couple of other things you might want to consider before heading to the shop.

Clutch or Neutral Safety Switch: If your Ranger is a manual, the clutch pedal switch might be the issue. Even if it’s an automatic, the neutral safety switch could be involved. Either of these can sometimes prevent the cruise control from engaging if they’re faulty or misaligned.

Clock Spring in the Steering Wheel: This is a common culprit, especially if your Ranger has a few miles on it. The clock spring is responsible for maintaining the electrical connection between the steering wheel controls and the rest of the system. If it’s worn out or damaged, it could explain why your cruise control isn’t responding at all. Unfortunately, this part can be tricky to diagnose and replace, but it’s worth checking out.

Throttle Position Sensor (TPS): If the TPS is on its way out, it might prevent the cruise control from working correctly. You usually won’t get any obvious signs if it’s just starting to fail, so it’s something to consider if you’re running out of options.

Brake Pedal Position (BPP) Sensor: Even though you checked the brake lights, the BPP sensor might still be acting up. This sensor can sometimes send faulty signals to the cruise control system, thinking the brakes are engaged when they’re not. You might want to test it with a multimeter or have someone help you check it out more thoroughly.

If none of these lead to a solution, it might be time to bite the bullet and have a professional take a look, but hopefully, this gives you a few more avenues to explore first. Best of luck, and I hope you get your cruise control back up and running soon!