Cruise control problem.
Red 04 FX4 Screw
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
From: Lafayette, IN
After long time seeking I fixed my cruise control today within 3 hours.
Model: 5.4 Lariat from 2004 with floor shifter
Fault definition: With "cold" car ( means in the morning or after longer breakes ) the cruise control did its job. But within 20 minutes of running the car it starts to switch itself off during operation. Within the next 5 to 10 mintues I was able to rastart it a few times but after that It gives no sign of life at all until I left the car get "cold" again.
I told my ford dealer about my problem and gave him the car two times to solve the problem. I got two bills - together 150$ - and they told me that they can`t find the problem. They suggested the brake switch but they were not sure. But in my opinion the fault doesn't look like coming from the brake switch because the brake light were working fine. So I asked the internet and found this thread. I pulled out the brake shift interlock and tested it. And guess what - I found the fault.
Fault: Inside of the intelock there is a board and on this board there was a transistor looking like it was overheated (colored marks on the board ). I measured it and there was connection between collector and emitter without voltage on base. I replaced the transistor. Problem fixed. Cruise is working perfekt. Cost: 1,30$ and a little bit of brazing solder. ( I used transistor type BC141 instead of the original ZTX450 )
Attachment 78418
Attachment 78419
Attachment 78420
Model: 5.4 Lariat from 2004 with floor shifter
Fault definition: With "cold" car ( means in the morning or after longer breakes ) the cruise control did its job. But within 20 minutes of running the car it starts to switch itself off during operation. Within the next 5 to 10 mintues I was able to rastart it a few times but after that It gives no sign of life at all until I left the car get "cold" again.
I told my ford dealer about my problem and gave him the car two times to solve the problem. I got two bills - together 150$ - and they told me that they can`t find the problem. They suggested the brake switch but they were not sure. But in my opinion the fault doesn't look like coming from the brake switch because the brake light were working fine. So I asked the internet and found this thread. I pulled out the brake shift interlock and tested it. And guess what - I found the fault.
Fault: Inside of the intelock there is a board and on this board there was a transistor looking like it was overheated (colored marks on the board ). I measured it and there was connection between collector and emitter without voltage on base. I replaced the transistor. Problem fixed. Cruise is working perfekt. Cost: 1,30$ and a little bit of brazing solder. ( I used transistor type BC141 instead of the original ZTX450 )
Attachment 78418
Attachment 78419
Attachment 78420
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
Hey All,
I have the issue that many other people have stated. My cruise control used to work. Then it would work intermittently and kick off sometimes. Now, it does not work at all. I started tearing into the console (center shift) and got the trim and everything pulled apart so I can see the actual solenoid. After looking at it though, I think that the solenoid is not the issue. Below is what the solenoid does at different key positions.
When the key is “off” the solenoid is engaged so I cannot shift into gear even with the brake pressed (correct)
When the key is “aux” the solenoid is engaged so I cannot shift into a gear even with the brake pressed (correct)
Once the key is turned to “on” the solenoid disengages automatically and I can shift to any gear out of park without the break (NOT correct)
The fact that the solenoid does engage/disengage leads me to believe it would be the brake switch. Does this seem to make sense?
I took some pics last night during the console tear down. I'll try to post those up soon to help people see how to tear the console apart.
I have the issue that many other people have stated. My cruise control used to work. Then it would work intermittently and kick off sometimes. Now, it does not work at all. I started tearing into the console (center shift) and got the trim and everything pulled apart so I can see the actual solenoid. After looking at it though, I think that the solenoid is not the issue. Below is what the solenoid does at different key positions.
When the key is “off” the solenoid is engaged so I cannot shift into gear even with the brake pressed (correct)
When the key is “aux” the solenoid is engaged so I cannot shift into a gear even with the brake pressed (correct)
Once the key is turned to “on” the solenoid disengages automatically and I can shift to any gear out of park without the break (NOT correct)
The fact that the solenoid does engage/disengage leads me to believe it would be the brake switch. Does this seem to make sense?
I took some pics last night during the console tear down. I'll try to post those up soon to help people see how to tear the console apart.
A really easy way to test it is to pull off the shift cover and unplug the solenoid. Leave the cover off and go drive the truck and see if you can use the cruise control. (You'll have to manually push down the little white part on the solenoid assembly to shift it into gear). If the cruise works, you need to replace/fix the brake shift interlock switch (solenoid).
Red 04 FX4 Screw
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
From: Lafayette, IN
Hey all, A buddy and I worked on the solenoid last night and the solution Thomas posted works. Below are pictures of the fix to go with his.
First, remove the top of the console (shifter surround and storage surround). You have to remove the two screws that hold the storage box surround in
Next, remove the screw s holding the side of the console on. There are 4. 2 gold (1 on the front driver side corner top and 1 middle top of console side
Next remove the trim piece (mine is gray/silver) where your right foot rests. This just pops off.
After that, remove the two black bolts that hold the bottom of the console side on. To get the back, you'll need to move the driver seat up. You'll also want to pop off the back of the center console where your air vents, etc are. It just pops off with some effort
After that you can remove the console side as there are just clips holding it on after that. Now you can see the solenoid. To remove the solenoid/switch, just use a hex bit screwdriver two take the two screws out holding it to the shifter unit. Once you get the two screws out, pop the 3 tabs that are holding it together. You'll want to shift the truck into a gear other than park to get to the front screw easier. Here is a before and after the clip picture of the solenoid
First, remove the top of the console (shifter surround and storage surround). You have to remove the two screws that hold the storage box surround in
Next, remove the screw s holding the side of the console on. There are 4. 2 gold (1 on the front driver side corner top and 1 middle top of console side
Next remove the trim piece (mine is gray/silver) where your right foot rests. This just pops off.
After that, remove the two black bolts that hold the bottom of the console side on. To get the back, you'll need to move the driver seat up. You'll also want to pop off the back of the center console where your air vents, etc are. It just pops off with some effort
After that you can remove the console side as there are just clips holding it on after that. Now you can see the solenoid. To remove the solenoid/switch, just use a hex bit screwdriver two take the two screws out holding it to the shifter unit. Once you get the two screws out, pop the 3 tabs that are holding it together. You'll want to shift the truck into a gear other than park to get to the front screw easier. Here is a before and after the clip picture of the solenoid
Red 04 FX4 Screw
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
From: Lafayette, IN
From here you can remove the solenoid/board (unhook it) and go to a work bench.
If you see the burn mark on the solenoid, do the below to try and fix it. I'll just post pictures. Its pretty self explanatory... maybe
Make sure not to cross a sauder (sp?) to another line. You can tell where to sauder by the boards look.
Be sure to check and make sure the solenoid works properly before putting everything back together.
Lemme know if you have any questions and I'll answer as best I can. Or I can explain more if the pictures aren't clear.
Good luck to all. this was a $2 fix
If you see the burn mark on the solenoid, do the below to try and fix it. I'll just post pictures. Its pretty self explanatory... maybe
Make sure not to cross a sauder (sp?) to another line. You can tell where to sauder by the boards look.
Be sure to check and make sure the solenoid works properly before putting everything back together.
Lemme know if you have any questions and I'll answer as best I can. Or I can explain more if the pictures aren't clear.
Good luck to all. this was a $2 fix
Last edited by Fergusmj; Jan 28, 2012 at 08:19 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Cruise Control Switch Replacement
I have a 2001 F150 with the steering wheel mounted cruise control switches (off/on on the left and set/accel/resume/cancel on the right). How do I know which replacement switch to purchase? Choices I've found are:
Motorcraft SW6010
Motorcraft SW5922
Motorcraft SW5918
Motorcraft SW6010
Motorcraft SW5922
Motorcraft SW5918
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
cruise control
I have an 04 F150 with the column shift, cruise is not working, I also have the brake light stuck on, on the dash. Is this switch still a culprit with column shift?? If so where would I look for it??
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 181
Likes: 4
From here you can remove the solenoid/board (unhook it) and go to a work bench.
If you see the burn mark on the solenoid, do the below to try and fix it. I'll just post pictures. Its pretty self explanatory... maybe
Make sure not to cross a sauder (sp?) to another line. You can tell where to sauder by the boards look.
Be sure to check and make sure the solenoid works properly before putting everything back together.
Lemme know if you have any questions and I'll answer as best I can. Or I can explain more if the pictures aren't clear.
Good luck to all. this was a $2 fix
If you see the burn mark on the solenoid, do the below to try and fix it. I'll just post pictures. Its pretty self explanatory... maybe
Make sure not to cross a sauder (sp?) to another line. You can tell where to sauder by the boards look.
Be sure to check and make sure the solenoid works properly before putting everything back together.
Lemme know if you have any questions and I'll answer as best I can. Or I can explain more if the pictures aren't clear.
Good luck to all. this was a $2 fix
Hey currently facing the same issues..would be nice to have seen pics..why did it disappear..???
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 181
Likes: 4
After long time seeking I fixed my cruise control today within 3 hours.
Model: 5.4 Lariat from 2004 with floor shifter
I measured it and there was connection between collector and emitter without voltage on base. I replaced the transistor. Problem fixed. Cruise is working perfekt. Cost: 1,30$ and a little bit of brazing solder. ( I used transistor type BC141 instead of the original ZTX450 )
Attachment 78418
Attachment 78419
Attachment 78420
Model: 5.4 Lariat from 2004 with floor shifter
I measured it and there was connection between collector and emitter without voltage on base. I replaced the transistor. Problem fixed. Cruise is working perfekt. Cost: 1,30$ and a little bit of brazing solder. ( I used transistor type BC141 instead of the original ZTX450 )
Attachment 78418
Attachment 78419
Attachment 78420
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 181
Likes: 4
It would only be the brake switch if the brake lights are on also. The brake switch runs both. I'm guessing your brake lights are not on 100% of the time, so it is likely the brake shift interlock switch (solenoid).
A really easy way to test it is to pull off the shift cover and unplug the solenoid. Leave the cover off and go drive the truck and see if you can use the cruise control. (You'll have to manually push down the little white part on the solenoid assembly to shift it into gear). If the cruise works, you need to replace/fix the brake shift interlock switch (solenoid).
A really easy way to test it is to pull off the shift cover and unplug the solenoid. Leave the cover off and go drive the truck and see if you can use the cruise control. (You'll have to manually push down the little white part on the solenoid assembly to shift it into gear). If the cruise works, you need to replace/fix the brake shift interlock switch (solenoid).
Is it safe to unplug the solenoid and go for a drive !!!!
There is THREE cables coming out of it. 1 for shift indicator light (which I blv shld be okay) other 2 I am not sure of if its safe as one is to the transmission.