Cruise Control wont turn on

[X5Kiwi]

Today I was driving with cruise control on, and came up behind a slow car so braked, which caused the cruise control to deactivate as per normal.
However, after I had passed the car, I pressed resume, only to find that the cruise control had turned completely off (i.e. no light on dash).
I pressed the I/O button on the steering wheel to turn it back on, and the light came on for a second but then immediately turned off again. I tried several more times, but it kept just turning off. No warnings on the dash either.

Next time I started the car, cruise control is working perfectly again.

This is the second time this has happened to me in about 3 weeks. Does anyone know what could be causing this?

[brucemillar]

I think that this is normal. In my 4.4i if I try and "resume" cruise after braking, it switches off if I press resume below 30 mph. When I turn the ignition on again all is OK.

[supersteve]

Try pressing the "+" button.

[UncleBob]

Originally Posted by supersteve

Try pressing the "+" button.

pressing the + button will set the speed at the current speed at which the vehicle is moving. resume gets you back at the speed you were going before you braked.

[dandruff]

Intermittent loss of Cruise Control is due to a faulty brake switch .. (atleast on 3-Series) .. if it happens again, I would start searching for faulty brake switch posts ... on a E36 its very cheap and easy fix, dont know about X5 tho ... hth!



Admins: Quick Reply is BROKEN !!!

[X5Kiwi]

Pressing the + button doesnt do anything, as the actual cruise control system is not active i.e. no cruise control light on the dash (small circle with an arrow in it). Normally to use cruise control, I press I/O to turn the system on, then + to set the speed. However when I have problems, pressing I/O turns the light on, but it immediately turns off again.

[supersteve]

Isn't the "resume" switch the one that looks like a speedo above the "+" not the I/O? I'm funcused. I thought the I/O is the on/off button.

[X5Kiwi]

Yes the I/O button is the on off button.

[AzNMpower32]

I think there is something wrong with the system. The cruise on modern BMWs will remember the preset speed, even if you have dropped below 40km/h. The only requirement is that the vehicle speed be above 40/km/h when you hit the resume button. However, if the cruise light shuts off on its own, there's something wrong.

[Malicezn]

Originally Posted by dandruff

Intermittent loss of Cruise Control is due to a faulty brake switch .. (atleast on 3-Series) .. if it happens again, I would start searching for faulty brake switch posts ...

What he said.