cruise control

[aloneifly]

Hi I am new to the 406 and to crusi control in general!

I have a 2001 V6 estate. I beleive the cruse control button is a push button under the dash - beside the rotating adjustment for headlight beam.
Also the stalk to increase or decrease on the steering wheel.

I tried depressing the button and using the stalk whilst I was travelling about 65mph. I didn’t see anything light up etc on the dash and the car slowed when I took my foot off the accelerator.
Would I expect to see some indication that I had switched on cruise control ? Is there some other part of the sequence for crusie control I am missing?

Thanks

[highlander]

Hmm, not sure if this is exactly the same as on my 2002 Coupe or not; I don't know whether your V6 has the infamous COM2000 control stalk system or not. My Coupe has the COM2000 system, and this is how you use it with this setup:

1) Turn the rotary control so it shows "1"
2) Accelerate/decelerate to the speed you want to maintain
3) Press either the "+" button or the "-" button on the top/bottom of the cruise control stalk
4) Take your foot off the pedals, but keep your hands on the wheel to maintain direction

The cruise control should engage. You can temporarily disable it by pressing the "Pause" button on the end of the cruise control stalk. You can also interrupt it by pressing the brake pedal, and can turn it off by turning the rotary control back to "0".

While in cruise control mode, you can use the "+" button to increase the speed in increments of 1 MPH, and the "-" button to decrease the speed in 1 MPH intervals. You can also use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed, and when you release the accelerator pedal, the cruise control computer should slow back down to the remembered speed and continue on.

The COM2000 cruise control stalk looks like this, by the way:


Personally, I find it weird, and don't really use it - the 406 is my first car with cruise control too

[aloneifly]

it doesnt look like that thanks. There is a stalk with + and minus and zero. The button to turn it on and off is under the dash.

Maybe I have to set the speed using the stalk first and then depress the button. Do you see any visual indication of it being on?

I agree maybe wont find much use for it but when you have a new car you want to (as my wife says) play with the toys!

[highlander]

I don't, but I don't have the same system as you - hopefully one of the other pre-COM2000 people can jump in and give us a "show & tell"

[waue1978]

On the right hand side of the steering wheel, just above your knee is the on/off button. It's next to the diagnostic port which is the black plastic rectangle. Push the button to turn it on or off & if I remember right, there should be a little light somewhere on the clocks to show you that it's activated. Then use the +/- stalk on the left hand side to set your speed & you're in cruise. That's how it worked in my friend's GTX which was pre-multiplex (& it sounds as though yours is the same). If you still can't get it working, check the fuses.

[aloneifly]

thanks thats certainly where the controls are. I will have another check and see if it activates on the clock display

[EdN]

Thanks for that!! My car has just the same controls and I have wondered since
I got the car 6 months ago how the cc worked as the handbook shows something
completely different to whats in the car.
I will be giving it a try out now in the morning!!

[Doggy]

I think the indicator lamp is in the pushbutton next to the headlight adjuster, (be aware that the bulb may have gone). I don't think there's any indication on the dash.

I've only driven two cars very briefly with this arrangement so memory's a bit hazy, but I think once it's on at the switch, it's just a case of flicking the stalk to increase or decrease, (either doubles as 'set'). I think the button on the end is cancel / resume, but resume doesn't work unless it's been engaged since the last time you started the car.

Clear?

I've heard tell of the vacuum servo gubbins on v6 cruise control systems packing in....

mjb's your expert here, I think.

[polchraine]

Almost right ...

Press the button by your right knee next to the headlight angle control. It should illuminate, and there is no other illumination. In teh on position it is actually recessed and when off flush with the surroundings - so you can still tell if it is on/off.

Push the stalk UP to engage and set the speed at the current speed, or continue to push up to increase.

Push down to decrease the speed.

Pull towards you to disengage cruise control and pressing the stalk does nothing.

If you then push up again it will revert to the last remembered speed.

The brake or clutch will also disengage.

Turning off at the switch will clear settings and also disengage if in use.



I use mine on a very regular basis when going through average speed cameras and roadwoirks with temporary speed limits - although only on fairly clear roads.

[mjb]

polchraine is correct in its operation.

These things are quite often not working properly though. First thing to check is the click. Get to about 35-40mph in 5th, turn the stereo off, turn the heater fan off, make sure cruise control is armed (the light is lit on the button). Lift or push down the cruise stalk. Did you hear a click? If so, your problem is with the vacuum pump or (more likely) valve (only about £15 to replace iirc) under the bonnet attached to the nearside side of the body. You can just about see the stuff below and behind the ABS unit. It's a pain to get to though...

If you didn't hear a click, check the fuse first. Then we've pretty much got the problem down to being either the stalk or the switches on the clutch and brake pedals. Try activating cruise with your foot under each pedal in turn, pulling upwards. This *may* let you know if a switch is slightly mis-aligned. Might be worth getting under the footwell and having a look at them...

[aloneifly]

Thanks. Appreciate all the replies.
However sounds quite dangerous to be looking for a light on a switch under the dash whilst driving. Is the light visible if you depress the switch with the ignition on but no engine running?

[polchraine]

Thanks. Appreciate all the replies.
However sounds quite dangerous to be looking for a light on a switch under the dash whilst driving. Is the light visible if you depress the switch with the ignition on but no engine running?

I believe the engine may need to be running - but the vehicle does not need to be moving. I do my by feel - the switch is depressed or level.