Honda Odyssey Cruise Control cuts out after few seconds

Hi,

I have a 2003 Odyssey and a few weeks ago the cruise control stopped
working. We were driving along and all of the sudden it dropped out of
cruise (flat highway, no braking). Since then it has degraded further
to the point where now it will occasionally come on for a few seconds.

Some things I've noticed:
- after it shuts off, I've never been able to get it to come back on
(even for a few seconds) until I turn cruise control completely off on
the dash, then back on. After that, I can sometimes get it to come on.
- The dashboard light is on when it works, and turns off when it
dis-engages (so at least that part is working ).
- as I said, the most it now comes on for is a few seconds
- Honda was stumped and wanted to replace some $300 cable as a try (I
have 80,000 Km on it, so it is off warranty). If that didn't work they
wanted to replace the computer.
- As an inexpensive guess, my local mechanic tried replacing the $40
dash switch - no luck.
- The next time it is in, they plan to play with a brake switch - they
may even try to by-pass it at as test, before ordering the switch.

Has anyone else seen this? Any experienced ideas on what the mechanic
can look for?

Thanks.

 

The service manual and follow the diagnostic procedure. The absolute first
thing to check out is the brake switch. There is a lot to the cruise control
in the Odyssey and throwing parts at it is not the way to diagnose it....

 

Does the Cruise Control indicator in the dash come on, when the set button
is depressed?

If it does; check the actuator under the hood for loose connections or poor
ground.
If it does not; check the brake switch, then do a cruise control unit
input test.

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Thanks for the responses Woody and TomP. Regarding "trying the switch"
- I can't really blame the mechanic - I pushed him to try it since
pressing it on and off seemed to "reset" things - I thought it might be
a faulty switch (live and learn).
Tom - the indicator in the dash does come on when the set button is
depressed. I guess this implies the actuator under the hood.
I imagine they will also check the brake switch. Either way, I will
pass along both of your suggestions to the mechanic and let you know.
I do know that both Honda and my mechanic "hooked up the car" and ran
diagnostics to no avail, but I don't know if they ran a "cruise control
unit input test" - I'll follow up

Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

A quick update. I won't be able to test it until tonight, but
apparently after following the diagnosis flow chart through, it has
come down to the control unit. I'm sort of surprised that an electronic
box with no moving parts (I assume) would break after only 3 years,
regardless of the mileage. I think dealers should have to stand behind
parts like these for much longer - but that's just an opinion.

Thanks again for the input.