Cruise control problem
Created March 18, 2008, at 7:53 pm by petetomo
I have a 2003 Civic Hybrid with 94,000 miles on it. I bought it since I frequently travel long distances and so far it has worked great. Unfortunately, I have been having problems with the cruise control recently. About 1 hour into any trip, the cruise control doesn't like to stay on anymore. When I start to ascend a hill of any size (nothing big, mind you), the IMA will go into charge about half way up, the car will slow down really quickly (which is quite dangerous if someone is behind me), and the cruise control will shut down. It will not work again until I manually shut it off and turn it back on again using the button by my left knee.
I took the car to the dealership and they said that they can't fix it unless they witness/experience it for themselves. However, it only happens during long trips and it happens unpredictably. Anyone else have similar problems?
Related Forum Topics
Most Popular Pages
3 years ago
Hi petetomo;
couple of questions:
1- Does your cruise control master switch stay on when the cruise control is canceled?
2- Is it a CVT model?
The likely problems:
Quite often the cruise control is canceled when there's a problem with any of the following systems or components:
- Engine and other emissions related discrepancies causing one or more codes (DTC's)
- Faulty brake pedal switch
- Faulty cruise control switch
- Open circuit or poorly connected terminal (cruise control wiring harness)
- Check your fuses to see if they're well inserted - especially the one for the CC.
Also, have them check your emissions system. A slight and temporary problem there can cause the CC to drop off. I suggest looking at the state of the O2 sensor and especially the catalytic converter. Since it is a 2003 model make sure that it is up to date in terms of software updates as these could have an effect on the health of your emissions system as well).
Cheers;
MSantos
3 years ago
Here's an update on the cruise control issue. I recorded a video clip of the dash while the problem occurred (not the safest thing to do but the dealership wanted to see exactly what happened so now they can). I took the car back to them and they were still stumped. They called their central Honda tech support who told them to change the brake pedal switch.
As I guessed, that wasn't it. If the cruise control went off suddenly, that might explain it; instead, the car slows down for 5-10 seconds before the CC shuts down.
I bought a bluetooth OBDII code scanner which I'll connect to my Treo to see if any codes come up while I'm actually driving. If not, I can always download the trends and print it for them to assist in their troubleshooting. Does anyone know where the OBDII port is on the '03 Civic?
In answer to your questions MSantos:
1- Does your cruise control master switch stay on when the cruise control is canceled? The light on the dash shuts off after the car has already slowed down for a few seconds. The manual switch (the one by my right knee) however stays lit. To use the CC again, I have to shut off the manual switch and turn it on again.
2- Is it a CVT model? Yes
3 years ago
petetomo:
I have seen similar issues before in HCH-1 CVT's. The solution to this type of problem ended up being a PCM module replacement along with minor CVT work (some adjustments and one CVT valve replacement in some cases)
Good luck.
MSantos
3 years ago
Would a PCM module issue have anything to do with heat? As I mentioned earlier, this problem only occurs 1-2 hours into a longer trip. If I have my canoe on the car (significant increase in drag), it happens in less than 15 minutes.
3 years ago
The PCM module primarily controls your CVT and "governs" the input to a few other systems (one of them, the CC).
Yes, heat could be a downstream symptom but not necessarily a factor.
MSantos
3 years ago
I have a 2003 honda civic hybrid and the cruise control just went out. Dealer is quoting me $450 (discounted price) and I need two parts replaced. Is this common and do I have any other choice but to pay this amount to get if fixed?
3 years ago
If that includes labor then the price is almost about right. I would suggest visiting another dealer and getting an alternate quote. You don't have many alternatives unless you find a good third party shop that will order the very same parts but will charge less for the labor. This is not a common problem.
Cheers;
MSantos
2 years ago
I have the exact same experience as Petetomo. I have a 2004 honda civic hybrid. I recently took a 7-hour trip, mostly freeway, and the cruise control started giving me the same problem. I had to manually turn the master switch off and on, then reset the cruise switch on the steering wheel. It did this periodically during the trip, and many times were when going up an incline; it didn't have to be a steep incline, either.
Any new info to report about this problem?
1 year ago
I have been driving my daughter-in-laws 2003 honda civic to try to see what is wrong with the cruise control. It shuts down unexpectedly at any time for 3 to 5 seconds and then accelerates very fast back to the speed it was set. The last time it was set at 65 and dropped to 45 and the car behind me almost hit me. I see this as a safety issue.
1 year ago
I have 2003 with manual transmission and I listen to AM radio on the way Home during my 66 mile trip home. I can predict when the cruise is going to act up, due to the static goes crazy on the radio.. Then it drops out...Sometimes it tries to stay on..maybe an EMF field coming from another source...
52 weeks ago
A 2003 you say? AM Radio? You're kidding right? AM Radio? Well there's your problem. Your car is trying to tell you something.
52 weeks ago
No way really?
50 weeks ago
I have noticed the same static coming through AM radio just before the cruise acts up and eventually turns off. I have noticed it too many times for it to be coincidence.
Mine is a 2003 hybrid with CVT though. If yours is manual, that means it is not transmission specific.
30 weeks ago
i have the exact same problem with my 2001 civic ex. i set the cruise and it will downshift and slow down quickly. sometimes it revs up trying to maintain the set speed. then the cruise just shuts off. i can't set it again unless i turn off the main cruise control switch on the dash. the only thing different with my car from the other cars mentioned here is the reason my car shuts down. my cruise shuts off when the outside temperature is above 90 degrees. during the day it will shut off. at night when it is cooler, it works just fine. any suggestions?
22 weeks ago
What were the parts changed please and did this fix the problem?
21 weeks ago
I operate a company owned 2004 civic hybrid 5 speed with 231000 miles. We have the exact same problem on our car. The cruise control cuts out very intermittently. The charge/assist indicator fluctuates excessively for 5-10 seconds before it disconnects. This seems to rule out the brake or clutch switches as likely culprits because they would cause an immediate disconnect. I drove 8 hours for work last weekend and the CC disengaged once during the entire trip. It also seems the problem usually happens as the car starts descending or ascending a hill. I have not witnessed the problem on a level stretch of highway. We had the dealership replace the servo and this did not fix the problem. My boss wants to replace the CC module but I don't think this will work. Any ideas or recent developments?
14 weeks ago
I experience my cc failing on my 2001 Civic lx after 1/2 hr or more down the road and I too can tellyou when it's going to happen based on the static from the AM radio. It starts slowing down as the static starts. As the static becomes more frequent and louder then the cruise turns off. What the ????
10 weeks ago
Gary,
I have the same problem w/ my cruise control on my 01 civic. Have you resolved it?
Tim
9 weeks ago
I have an '03 Civic EX, manual tranny and over the past couple of years my CC had been acting up and now will not come on at all. Initially it would drop out for no apparent reason but would always work once I re started it from the wheel buttons. Last week I pushed the button on the wheel and no more indicator lights now either.
Also my starter stopped engaging which may or may not be related (both being electrical). I replaced my under the hood ground strap as it was looking corroded but this changed nothing.
Seems this is becoming a common problem, not to mention safety concern, with these models. I don't even know where to start but I don't wanna give some repair shop a blank check to go routing around trying to figure out the source of the problem. I think Honda might wanna think about stepping up to the plate before someone gets run over by an 18 wheeler - hey, it got close one time !
9 weeks ago
I have an '03 Civic EX, manual tranny and over the past couple of years my CC had been acting up and now will not come on at all. Initially it would drop out for no apparent reason but would always work once I re started it from the wheel buttons. Last week I pushed the button on the wheel and no more indicator lights now either.
Also my starter stopped engaging which may or may not be related (both being electrical). I replaced my under the hood ground strap as it was looking corroded but this changed nothing.
Seems this is becoming a common problem, not to mention safety concern, with these models. I don't even know where to start but I don't wanna give some repair shop a blank check to go routing around trying to figure out the source of the problem. I think Honda might wanna think about stepping up to the plate before someone gets run over by an 18 wheeler - hey, it got close one time !
6 weeks ago
I have the same problem. This is ridiculous. Has anyone found a solution yet?
5 weeks ago
I have a '02 Civic LX I4, 248k miles, with auto and same/similar experiences. Ascending a hill is drops out of CC and slows quite rapidly. I have to turn off the master switch and wait a few minutes, turn it back on and it will work for a short time. Would be nice for Honda to act on this.
1 week ago
I am having the same problem with my '02 Civic EX. Cruise works great one trip, then hiccups, cuts out, and refuses to stay on the next--same kind of road (often the same exact road). Seems to be worse in hilly country, but like I said, sometimes it's fine over the exact same route it died on the last time. I have a '98 Civic LX with way more miles, and it's never acted like this. What's the deal? You'd think a newer, higher end model with fewer miles would outperform, but no. Could there be an entire batch of cruise modules going bad? Or is my '98 just built with tougher stuff?
Post a new comment