zmss56

2001 Civic LX, Automatic, 171K
I've used my cruise control from time to time as long as I've owned the car. Last week on the highway, the car decelerated while the cruise was activated. The indicator light in the instrument panel stayed on for about 10 seconds after the deceleration occurred, then went out. The light on the on/off switch at my left knee stayed on. I tried reactivating the cruise control with the buttons on the steering wheel and it would not reactivate. When I turned the button at my knee off then on again, I was able to reactivate the cruise control. However, the same thing happened after about 30 seconds. I tried several more times on the trip, leaving it off for 15-30 minutes but the same thing happened; it would work for a short time (30 seconds to several minutes) before shutting off again.

NOTE: the cruise control light in the instrument panel DOES remain illuminated when this problem occurs. If I manually deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal (or turning it off on the steering wheel or the on/off switch at my knee), that light goes off as the cruise deactivates.

This only appears to happen after I've been using the cruise control for a significant amount of time (at least a half hour).
I used it today for about 15 minutes and the problem did not occur.

Do you know what the problem is?
Thanks

Hondaguy83

Switch or brake switch

zmss56

If it were the brake switch, wouldn't the dash light go off as soon as the acceleration stopped; as if the cruise were canceled by tapping the brake?

Hondaguy83

Yes. Modulator cable problem

zmss56

I can't find that part: modulator cable. Is it known by another name?

mayhem3x

I have a 2004 civic ex with 158k and an auto also. I have the same issue know for about2 years. I have replaced all switches and the acuator and none of them have fixed the problem. I would assume since only one thing is left, it's the cruise control unit but like said above, to trouble shoot that takes quite a bit of time and the replacement cost is big.

I have just stopped trying to fix the issue. Mine happens mainly when it's warm out like summer or the car has been driven without stops for awhile. Any trip longer then an hour I know the cruise won't hold.

This is just my exprience with having the exact same issue as you.