cruise control light flashing

[timber_cruiser]

Hello, I am a new user to this forum and would like to get some advice on fixing my cruise control. I have a 1996 Avalon, a great car with 134,000 miles. Recently the cruise control start to flash and will not work. I would like to try and fix this myself if I could get my hands on the problem and find out more about what needs to be replaced or fixed. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!

thnx!

[toyomoho]

The flashing cruise control light means the system is not working. A trouble code has been stored in the computer. Suggest you get the code(s) read; they are very specific to the problem area. Try Autozone, they may do it for free or will loan you the reader.

[csaxon]

Look for the cruise control actuator next to the battery behind the radiator. The actuator is concealed beneath a cover at the other end of the cable connected to the throttle body.
Look for a loose or disconnected connector on the front of the cruise control actuator. Might just be the electrical connector on the cruise control is loose. See if taking the connector off and pushing it back on solves the problem.

One other option is the brake light switch. Pressing the brake disengages the cruise control. The switch may be loose and need adjusting or may be worn out and needs replacing. If out of adjustment it may short out periodically

[csaxon]

Check the plug in the middle of this picture.

[TMack409]

My 1996 has same symptom. But it's intermittent. I find that I can recover from 'Flashing" by pulling the cruise control lever toward me - (this is the "de-activate" position). It can take several times of first activating the system and then pulling back on the lever to clear the system. Sometimes only shutting down the engine will cure it.

The problem seems to arise when using the brake pedal to de-activate the cruise control. When I then turn the system back on and try to set it - then the flashing begins.

I think I'll try cleaning the connectors as has been suggested (Using DeoxIT from Radio Shack). I'll post back with results.

[toyomoho]

If you have a trouble code. Might download the service info for the Gen_4 Carmy at the link below. The Camry and Avalon are almost the same car and may have the same system.

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

If you have a trouble code. Might download the service info for the Gen_4 Carmy at the link below. The Camry and Avalon are almost the same car and may have the same system.

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

Thanks for the headsup! I skimmed that area earlier and felt like I would probably have to invest in a code reader first.... ;-) If I buy any more electronic stuff for my cars...she's going to divorce me. Heh, the portable 4-gas analyzer I bought last year nearly did it ;-)

As I mentioned, if I tinker with it, I can get it working....

[toyomoho]

You can read the cruise control codes without a reader using the dash light. Also AutoZone will read codes for free.

[TMack409]

Originally Posted by toyomoho

You can read the cruise control codes without a reader using the dash light. Also AutoZone will read codes for free.

Thanks again, Toyomoho. I pushed forward, and read the codes by flashes. I seem to have more than one stored...... Anywhooo, I did not feel like taking the steering wheel apart (because the control switch was indicated in the error codes) so I dribbled DeoxIT down on it and wiggled the switch in all directions. For grins, I also cleaned the contacts on the electrical connector in the actuator (with Deoxit). It works fine now. I'll keep you posted and thanks again.