Hi there,
I own a 2001 Tribute and have had an array of problems with it, the latest was the radiator resivour split and a couple of weeks after i had it replaced i tried using the cruise control and it won't work?? Not even the cruise light on the dash comes on
I have had a look at the cc unit and all the plugs seem to be attached correctly and i have checked all fuses....Does anyone know what else i should look for?? I have also put the speedo cluster into diagnostics (pressing the reset button whilst turning the ignition off then on) and when i go to light test there is no crusie light also.
Mazda wont talk to me as there was a couple of weeks between them looking at it and me noticing the cc problem and i am sick and tired of paying money for them to look at it!
If anyone can help i would be greatly appreciative
Thanks

Scott, Australia

 

Hi Scott.
So you suspect that the dealership has caused this problem after replacement of the coolant bottle?
Bulb check using the key on and holding reset button will not illuminate the cruise light by the way.
Check and make sure that the cruise control cable is attached to the throttle body linkage. Have seen some of the cable ends break in this area and not stay attached.
If that checks ok and the 5 amp #5 and 15 amp #24 fuse in the dash fuse box are ok then down to checking some voltages at the cruise actuator/module. Would need to have access to a digital volt/ohms meter and could give you some voltage readings to look for. This would help tell you if the on/off and set signals are actually even getting to the cruise unit.

 

I'm back and with some good news
Firstly thank you so much for trying to help me out Babyhuey, I checked all the things you said and all tested o.k
Just by luck i was talking to a friend about it and he knew an ex Mazda mechanic and after talking to him about what had been done lately ie..coolant bottle, brake booster etc he said when the brake booster is changed there are two switches behind the brake pedal, one is for brake light and the other for cruise and to test the cruise one to see if it's making and braking the when the pedal is depressed and to my total excitement it wasn't!!!!!!
Once i dissconnected it and pulled the switches pin out a little to give a longer reach it worked perfectly *yay* So thanks again for your help and i hope this thread helps others down the track and fingers crossed i have a car with no problems long enough for me to sell her

 

Thanks guys I owe you. After reading your advice about the switches at the back of the brake pedal and went and played with the lower switch which also releases the auto trans. The cruise control that I have lived without for the past 8 months is now working perfectly. One thing that I find really stange (more than likely coincidence) is that it also stopped working after having the radiator reservoir bottle changed.
Thanks guys you saved me $$$

 

Hi Guys;

I wanted to thank you so much for your description of the problem. This is exactly the problem with my 2001 Mazda Tribute. I had my brake booster replaced, and found to my horror that during my 1600km drive my cruise control did not come on!

I will check the switches on the pedal tomorrow to see if that is the problem.

This is the second problem I've ever had with my cruise control. The first time was that the cruise control light on my 2001 Tribute would come on, but would not maintain speed at all! I changed the linkage cable (like only a few bucks) and that solved the problem! After years of wear and tear, it kept slipping off of the throttle valve post.

Talk to you all tomorrow.

 

Hey Guys,

I recently replaced my brake booster, and noticed that the brake light, and cruise control switch don't touch the brake pedal any more.

It looks like you can adjust these, but I'm thinking they can only be adjusted once? Is this correct?

I can order the brake switch from autozone, but I haven't found a source for a new cruise control switch.

Best Regards,
Chris Carson

 

I fiddled with the brake switch connectors, but didn't really go beyond that. When I brought the car back to them and explained my findings (internet search) to the service manager, he kindly had a technician check it over for free. They discovered that there were no blown fuses, but the switch had to be replaced. They did this free of charge. Good one on Markham Mazda in Ontario. Never dissatisfied there.

 

Hi Everyone, I'm glad I found this site, I bought a used Maza Tribute 2006 today!!! ,my surprise was that the cruise control is not working at all. I have a couple of option before giving it back. After checking the fuses, in this model are different as babyhuey refered, here are #6 15* and #34 5*, both seems to be OK.

I will check the switch of the brake pedal tomorrow morning ( it is sunday , so I wont go to the dealer)

So far I live in Newmarket so Markham dealer is not that far.

Just i n case, is it to hard to change the ON OFF switch , is there a way to test it before try start desambling everything? Can you explain this a little bit more?
the cruise control cable is attached to the throttle body linkage
Where is the cable located?

Thanks guys
Julian

 

Hi Julian;

The diagnosis for a bad cruise control cable is that the "Cruise" light in the dashboard panel comes on while you are driving, but it does not maintain the speed. I doubt this is your problem because of how new the vehicle is. Mine took about 7 years of moderate use to wear out.

If you wanted to inspect it however, you will have to look in the engine compartment. The directions I am telling you is regards to 2001... look for a silver box that is mounted above the engine and to the left. This is the cruise control module. It has a black-sheathed cable that goes underneath the plastic "Mazda" cover on your engine. You have to remove the plastic cover to inspect further. Once you remove the plastic cover (3 or 4 nuts) you should be able to follow the cable to where it connects on the throttle body. If it's disconnected, then you need to replace the cable. A visual inspection won't reveal too much to the untrained eye, but trust me. It's disconnected for a reason... the retaining pin on the cable end has worn down just enough to not hold the cable onto the throttle body post.

With regards to the brake pedal switch... No doubt you will see that there are 2 switches on the actual brake pedal. One is the regular brake sensor, and the other is specifically for the cruise control. Unfortunately, the only way to depress the brake pedal enough to play with the switch "action" is to have the car running.... listen carefully to the 'clicking' sound of the switches when you toggle those switches.... check the cables to see if they are loose.

Just some advice, if you decide to keep her, get it rust-checked by Krown right away. I live in Newmarket, so I know you're probably a highway-guy like me. I hate driving my mazda through a liquid salt bath for 6 months out of the year. You probably have some rust build-up on the bottom of the lip of the door panel right now. Also, mazda built the front hood trim for the USA... it's plastic with 5 trim tabs. Be careful with closing the hood in cold weather! Mine snapped off... i had to epoxy it back on after a good cleaning. The dealership wants like 150 bucks for a new part!

 

No, they can be adjusted multiple times. The plunger will reset itself once installed and the pedal comes into contact with it. It may take some effort to pull the plunger out, though, so don't give up too easily!