Cruise control button doesn’t stay pressed on steering wheel

ANSWER : The cruise control switch section that is mounted in your steering wheel is separately replaceable. Provided there is no damage to the actual steering wheel or any other parts surrounding it, you can have just the cruise control switch replaced. If you want to have the switch replaced, you should have it done by a qualified technician, such as one available from YourMechanic.

ANSWER : The problem to me sounds like you have worn out bushings that hold the power steering rack and pinion assembly. This is why your steering wheel gets off center in the direction of the turn. Have the steering inspected and the bushings replaced if they are bad. You should have no problems then.

ANSWER : Hello. This can be caused by a number of different issues. Most of the time this is caused by a bad brake switch. If the switch is shorting out, then it will cause the computer to think that the brakes are being applied, which turns off the cruise control. If the switch is fine, then it may have a bad speed sensor or the cruise control switch itself is bad.

One of the easiest tests I do is simply have someone drive behind me and see if the brake lights are coming on without touching the pedal. If it is, then you should replace the switch. If not, then further testing of the circuit has to be done. If you need to have this done, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your cruise control problem.

ANSWER : It seems like the defrost of the vehicle has an issue. There are several possibilities that could cause this. The control unit for the climate control system could be malfunctioning. The fuse for the rear defrost could be blown due to some unknown reason. The windshield itself could be damaged and lost connection somehow. I would recommend having a qualified professional who is proficcient in electrical diagnosis inspect your vehicle with a wiring diagram. This will help to determine where the fault in the defrost system is located. Once the issue is found, I would recommend having the issue resolved as soon as possible to prevent any safety issues that could result from lack of clear vision through the rear window.

ANSWER : The problem does need to be fixed. The steering wheel shaft may be binding in the steering column. You may also have another problem with the front end if the squeaking noise is not coming from the steering column. If the column is squeaking then you should have a mechanic come look at it and diagnose the issue. Only a qualified mechanic should inspect it since the air bags on the steering wheel may need to be removed to diagnose and complete the repairs. A certified mobile YourMechanic can come examine the problem at your home or office.

ANSWER : Hi there. The power steering system has a control valve that sends the fluid through the rack and pinion system. The valve maybe plugged up and causing the fluid to not return to the reservoir fast enough.

For the alignment issue, check all of the suspension and see what is loose or could be damaged. I recommend having an alignment performed on the vehicle after replacing any suspension or steering parts. If you need further assistance with your alignment, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

ANSWER : The unfortunate truth is the dealer is correct. What you are doing is in theory feasible but not common at all. I haven’t run across anyone who has done what you are doing and I have often wondered how such an endeavor might work. My point here is, I am not surprised the dealer isn’t sure because it’s likely they have never done this themselves. The dealer doesn’t set up the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) in the cars they sell. The manufacturer does and guessing what happened when a car is being built is not common knowledge.

Anytime you modify any car, there are always details such as this that you will possibly have to address. When you choose to modify a car, you are now the engineer. The simple answer is that I can’t tell you with certainty whether or not the PCM in your car has cruise control capability. The only way to find out is to allow the dealer to check in out. Independent shops might possibly be able to, but the equipment they have is aftermarket and not produced by Mazda. The electronic equipment the dealer has is. The dealer equipment will most likely be able to do what you need.

ANSWER : I’m curious why you would want to do this and because of the potential liability with something like this. I’m going to say your on your own with such a project. When ever we decide we want to modify our vehicles, you become the engineer. Unfortunately, as technicians, we don’t have access to the computer systems of cars on this level. I know some have gained access, but this isn’t a part of daily auto repair procedures.

Because of the importance of steering for safety, manufacturers don’t readily share this information. This is most likely engineering level information. Maybe check with an engineering school, programmers etc.

Good luck!