Ford F150 contains the cruise control feature to maintain the speed on the road without touching the accelerator repeatedly. It is the best feature for long trips because it reduces the driver’s fatigue to adjust the speed.
Ford F150 cruise control problems include a damaged switch, check engine light, faulty brake lights, vacuum leaks, front and rear sensor issues, failure of the speed sensor, faulty actuator, blown out fuse, and a defective brake pedal.
You cannot maintain a constant speed and acceleration, and the cruise control light on the front side does not illuminate when it becomes bad or faulty.
| Problems | Solutions |
| Damaged cruise control switch | Avoid using the feature on high traffic areas |
| Check engine light | Inspect engine components |
| Faulty brake lights | Remove dirt and corrosion from the brake pedal |
| Front and rear sensor issues | Clean cameras and sensors |
| Failure of the speed sensor | Keep the speed sensor clean using a wire brush |
| Faulty actuator | Use throttle body cleaner |
| Blown out fuse | Replace the cruise control fuse |
| Brake pedal issues | Bleed the braking system |
Damaged cruise control switch
Ford F150 contains the cruise control switch to activate the feature and control their other functions. These switches activate the electric system and assist the drivers during long trips.
You can see this mode’s switches near your truck’s steering wheel. These switches also illuminate the light to make the drivers aware of the activation of the feature.
Many people complain that the light on the dash screen does not illuminate when they activate the feature after pressing the control button.
The issue occurs because of faulty switch buttons that do not engage the system. The switches become defective because of their broken springs and internal components.
These also become faulty when you press them frequently to activate the feature. Avoid activating it on busy roads because you have to deactivate them repeatedly, which can affect the functioning of the switch.
I always use turn on the switch while moving on the highway because of the less traffic loads. However, you can also replace the switches by taking your vehicle to the dealerships.
Check engine light
Cruise control only works when the Ford F150 engine is running smoothly and do not have ignition and idling issues. It provides a smooth airflow for ignition by controlling the throttle response through the actuator wire.
These shut off automatically, and you can see a decrease in acceleration because of faulty engine components. In addition, you cannot use the feature when there is insufficient airflow in the combustion chamber, leading to poor idling.
The issue also comes because of leakage in vacuum hoses which can lead to an incorrect ratio of fuel and air mixture.
The check engine light comes on your screen when there is malfunctioning in engine components. The issue also comes because of the faulty transmission system.
It is necessary to check the engine parts when the check light comes on your screen to solve the problem. Park your Ford F150 and avoid driving if the engine overheats because of continuous running.
Faulty brake lights
Brake lights on the truck’s rear side turn on when you press the brake pedal. However, the cruise control system does not function and immediately shuts off when you press the brake pedal.
Sometimes the brake pedal becomes faulty, and the brake lights do not turn off, which can cause issues while activating the driver assist mode.
The brake light switches become faulty, and you cannot disengage them. The constant engagement of the switches causes the lights to remain on.
In addition, I face the issue because of the corroded brake pedal, which engages the switch continuously. Poor stopper alignment, faulty wirings, and engaged parking brakes cause the problem.
Check the software and wirings to check the malfunctioning brake lights. You can also clean the dirt and corrosion from the brake pedal to resolve the issue.
Front and rear sensor issues
The latest models of the Ford F150 contain the upgraded feature known as adaptive cruise control.
It adjusts the truck’s speed by maintaining a safe distance and preventing a collision. Upgraded features use sensors and cameras to detect the presence of obstacles.
These emit infrared radiations to identify the objects that come into their surroundings. The feature does not work when sensors and cameras become faulty. Keep the cameras and sensors clean and make them free of dust so they can identify foreign objects.
Failure of the speed sensor
Speed sensors are located in the wheel assembly to measure the tires’ speed. Cruise control stops functioning when speed sensors are faulty or broken.
These do not give the correct information to run the truck at a constant speed.
Speed sensors become faulty because of the faulty onboard computer system, electronic control module, and electric system. In addition, these do not give the correct information to the onboard computerized system because of the broken wires.
The components of the sensors also corrode when road salts come in contact with them. The damaged wheels increase the chances of wear and tear in these components.
Use a wire brush to clean their parts and remove dust and rust from their surfaces.
Faulty actuator
Actuator contains the cable that controls the throttle response movement for driving at a constant speed. The actuator cable maintains the throttle position to keep the air supply at a constant rate so the engine runs at the same speed.
The actuator engages the throttle control cable for their functioning. You cannot engage the cruise control feature in your truck when the actuator and cable become faulty. The problem occurs because of a broken actuator cable or faulty actuator.
The actuator does not engage the cable when carbon builds on its surface. The broken and faulty throttle control cable cause uneven airflow in the combustion chamber, and your Ford F150 cannot maintain a constant speed.
You can clean the throttle body actuator with a throttle body cleaner by disconnecting the power supply.
Blown out fuse
Cruise control is electrically driven components and contains a fuse to control the voltage supply. These do not function because of blown-out fuses that power these systems.
The fuse blows out because of an incorrect voltage supply from the electric system. In addition, these can also burn out when a current of high amperage travels through them.
The faulty wirings cause the blow-out to fuse, and the respective feature’s light does not illuminate on the dashboard screen. Open the fuse box of your Ford truck to check the blown-out fuse and replace them.
You can identify the blown-out fuse from the brownish color of its filament and broken pieces.
Brake pedal issues
Cruise control is turned off when you accidentally press the brake pedal to apply brakes. Sometimes the pedals become faulty and go down on their own and activate the brake pedal switches.
The pedal’s dirt, debris, and corrosion allow them to activate the switch unevenly. Sometimes the floor mats also cause hindrances with their function, and these can get stuck with them.
Moreover, the problem comes because of the issue with the master cylinder, air in the brake lines, and leakages of brake lines. Bleed the Ford F150 braking system to remove air from the reservoirs and prevent the sinking of the brake pedal.
Related Articles: