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Common causes of cruise control green light not turning on

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cruise control cruise control switch rav 2008
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ShaneinTX

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I recently bought a 2008 Rav4 with about 155K miles. The cruise control system was not working when I bought the car. The green light did not come on when cruise control was active. The new car dealer who sold me the vehicle said the cruise control switch needs to be replaced.

I have replaced the cruise control switch with a genuine Toyota part.

The green light, however, does not turn on.

Is it possible, the cruise control system was disabled in this vehicle due to the malfunction of this system?
What are the common causes for the green light to not turn on in Toyotas or RAV4s?
 
#2 ·
Are there any dash error lights?
 
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#4 ·
Any error with one of the wheel speed sensors will disable Cruise, 4WD, etc but also sets error lights. That's why I asked.
If so they'd need to be cleared but a standard OBD2 reader can't reset them.
 
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#5 ·
I don't get if the cruise control is actually working or not. Maybe the bulb is burned? Does it illuminate when the key is put on "contact" position (not running)?
Check the ABS fault light too - is different from the normal Check Engine light.

techstream would show the exact reason why, a cheap OBDII reader won't show ABS codes.
 
Discussion starter · #6 · (Edited)
No other dashboard lights are on.

Some time ago, the check engine, VSC, and slip indicator lights turned on. The OBD 2 reader showed the following diagnostic codes:
P0420 - Catalyst system efficiency low.
C1201 - Engine control system (ECM) Malfunction - ECM is not able to work with the Electronic Stability Control System and Anti-lock Braking System.

The dashboard lights have gone away after replacing the catalytic converter.

I do not think it is a burnt bulb (giving the green CRUISE display). None of the cruise control functions work.
 
#7 ·
The C1201 code is a multi point fuel injection code. If the ECU detects this is will disable the VSC and TRAC (which would disable your cruise I think) - that is the root cause.

As you have a Cat code too, that could be. caused by the fuelling issue. You will need to rule out any harness or connector problems associated with the injectors - look for damage or green crusties from the injectors back to the ECU and repair as necessary.

Are you able to use the OBD2 reader to post the data associated with the front and rear O2 sensors - we need to look at the action of the rear(s) O2 in particularly. When the engine is warm, does the voltage of the rears remain stable or oscillate? It should be stable of the Cat is good

I believe you need to address those 2 points first, then clear the codes and see where we are
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Bigphil555 said:
Are you able to use the OBD2 reader to post the data associated with the front and rear O2 sensors - we need to look at the action of the rear(s) O2 in particularly. When the engine is warm, does the voltage of the rears remain stable or oscillate? It should be stable of the Cat is good
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I do not have the reader or technical knowledge to get this this of reading.
 
#11 ·
There are 2 switches on your brake pedal, one for the brake lights, and one for the cruise cancel. If that switch is bad or out of adjustment, the cruise control will never engage and no trouble codes will be set.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Thanks for the suggestions.

Datsa Noydb said:
Start simple. Are the brake lights stuck ON? If they are on, cruise will not engage.
Click to expand...
The brake lights are NOT stuck on ON.

Datsa Noydb said:
Also check your gear position. Cruise will only engage in the top-most two or three gears, depending on which transmission you have.
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I am trying to engage cruise control with the automatic transmission in 3-O (overdrive) at speeds above 50 mph.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
JuneBug said:
There are 2 switches on your brake pedal, one for the brake lights, and one for the cruise cancel. If that switch is bad or out of adjustment, the cruise control will never engage and no trouble codes will be set.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion. I read somewhere on the internet that I can check for a faulty brake pedal by pulling the brake pedal towards the steering with my feet while driving. I tried it and it did not fix the cruise control issue.
 
#15 ·
ShaneinTX said:
I am trying to engage cruise control with the automatic transmission in 3-O (overdrive) at speeds above 50 mph.
Click to expand...
I have never been in a RAV of that year, do you have a 5-speed transmission? As I mentioned in post #10, cruise might not engage in 3rd gear. Try shifting to 4th, I'll bet it works.

Just out of curiosity, why are you holding it in third gear?
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Bigphil555 said:
Hope this helps - there are loads of fuses associated with the circuit
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Thank you! This is complicated!

Is there a fuse here that impacts cruise control only?

I ask this since nothing else is wrong with this vehicle. If all fuses impacting cruise, affect multiple functions, is it reasonable to say the cruise issue is not fuse related?
 
#20 ·
most common cause on older vehicles is worn spiral cable. cruise control signals are simple, short the wire with different resistor values, that's how computer knows on/off, set, res, cancel...just different ohms across the short.

this yaris thread has tons of info since base yarises had cruise installed, but no switch, so people macgyvered it up and you can see what is involved thru that thread to help you know what you might be able to troubleshoot on yer rig

DIY Cruise Control FAQ (2006-2010 Yaris) - Toyota Yaris Forums - Ultimate Yaris Enthusiast Site

DIY Cruise Control FAQ (2006-2010 Yaris) DIY / Maintenance / Service
www.yarisworld.com

also google search for cruise control spiral cable and you'll see what spiral cable is all about
 
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