Cruise control turns on at idle, but when the car reaches 10 mph the cruise turns off and won’t turn back until idle again.

I had a taillight short over the weekend and since then the cruise control will turn on at idle and then turn off at 10 mph. once it turns off, it will not turn back on until idle again. he icon on the dash will not even turn on when moving above10 mph. No lights on the dash, no codes seem to be thrown. I have checked connections around the throttle body and all seem tight.

My car has 182000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Check all of the grounds to the vehicle and see if there is any wires that are damaged from the taillight short. A loose ground will cause multiple problems with the electrical system and some or multiple components will not work. If you need further assistance with your electrical issues, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

One of the symptoms commonly associated with a bad cruise control brake release switch is a cruise control system that cuts off unexpectedly. If the switch has any sort of contact or internal issues, it may cause the cruise control system to cut off unexpectedly when activated, even if the pedal is not stepped on.
A Blown Fuse

If your cruise control system is electronically controlled, it will have an associated fuse. If there`s an electrical problem, the fuse will fail in order to keep other wiring from getting damaged. Try replacing the fuse. If it solves the problem and the cruise control keeps working, that`s great!

The most common reasons a Dodge Charger cruise control isn`t working are failed control module, sensor or switch issues, or throttle actuation problems.
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.
Since your car`s cruise control is part of an electrical system, it needs a fuse to function properly. A short circuit in this system can cause a fuse to blow, which means that the cruise control will suddenly stop working. Fortunately, replacing a blown fuse is a cheap and easy repair for any auto mechanic.
Common signs include speed surges and inability to maintain speed on cruise control, as well as general engine performance issues.
To do this, turn the cruise control off by disengaging the switch in your car. Next, turn the system on again, set a speed, and reapply cruise control. Sometimes resetting the system is all it takes to restore functionality, but if you continue to experience increasing or decreasing speed, you have a problem.
A quick way to diagnose this is to try holding the brake pedal up with the top of your left foot at the same time as you are engaging the cruise control while on a test drive. If the cruise control tries to set, then the brake switch will most likely need to be adjusted. Adjustment of the brake switch is very common.
A radar sensor is installed on the car`s front grille, which can sense how close or far away the vehicle in front is. By sensing this distance, the car will “adapt” its cruise control speed to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
Cruise Control in Newer Cars with Drive-By-Wire Throttle

The ECM is responsible for controlling the throttle body to accelerate or decelerate. Once you set your preferred speed, the ECU grabs that and sorts it out with the ECM and just like that, your car drives at your preferred speed.

To decelerate, either tap the appropriate button on the cruise control system or quickly apply the brake. As a safety precaution, almost every model of car will deactivate the cruise control as soon as the brake is applied.
Bad Cruise Control

If your vehicle comes with cruise control, a misaligned or bad brake light switch can deactivate it. Why does that happen? In many vehicles, the cruise control system and rear brake lights share the same switch. So if the brake lamp switch stops working, your cruise control would likely follow suit.

P0571 is a generic OBD-II diagnostic trouble code (DTC) that the engine control module (ECM) generates. The P0571 code is defined as a “cruise control / brake switch ` A` circuit malfunction.” The letter `A` can refer to a specific wiring, harness, connector, and so on.
Note that a weak battery can randomly knock other features offline, too, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and many more.
Such systems are made up of a cable connecting the throttle to a part called the vacuum actuator, which adjusts the cable based on the cruise control setting. A vacuum leak is a common problem on such systems, but damage to either of these components can cause the cruise control to stop working.
As one of the most important parts of a working car, your vehicle`s brakes are designed to work no matter what happens to the ABS system. So, yes, your car will still be able to stop without ABS. However, it`s not recommended to drive without ABS if your car is equipped with it.
Can you install cruise control in a car? Well, the answer is yes as well as no. There are aftermarket cruise control kits available for old cars that don`t rely on an ECU to control the engine. However, the system doesn`t work as smoothly as it does on modern cars that come factory-fitted with it.
Your ACC system has to detect a vehicle and also judge its distance and speed. Quick lane changes and braking in heavy traffic situations may cause the system to struggle. In slow traffic, many systems will disengage below a certain speed.
Your ACC system has to detect a vehicle and also judge its distance and speed. Quick lane changes and braking in heavy traffic situations may cause the system to struggle. In slow traffic, many systems will disengage below a certain speed.
Cruise control lets you set a speed for your car to maintain even if you take your foot off the gas. On long trips, it can reduce fatigue and make you more comfortable. Cruise control can also prevent speeding and increase fuel efficiency by limiting unnecessary acceleration and braking.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Cruise control turns on at idle, but when the car reaches 10 mph the cruise turns off and won’t turn back until idle again.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check all of the grounds to the vehicle and see if there is any wires that are damaged from the taillight short. A loose ground will cause multiple problems with the electrical system and some or multiple components will not work. If you need further assistance with your electrical issues, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Car won’t turn over. No lights come on when I turn it. Can’t even lock my doorsvor push the seat up or back.
ANSWER : Your probably correct, it sounds as though your battery is done. But it also sounds like you have charging system issues. I’m not sure that fixing your battery and charging system will solve the problem with the car shutting off, but it’s possible that it will and it’s a darned good place to start. By contacting Your Mechanic, you can have a technician come to your home or office to check out your car and help you figure out what to do next.

Engine turned off but inside of car still on, now engine won’t turn back on.
ANSWER : Hi there. The symptoms you’re describing with your boyfriend’s 2002 Grand Cherokee appear to be related to a broken or worn out ignition switch or relay. The ignition switch on the inside of the steering column is attached to multiple electronic connections that send signals to a relay box; which in turn, sends the signal to the individual components. The issue could be related to the ignition switch, the relay, or any of the components in between. If you want to have the fault pinpointed in person, I would have this starting issue inspected by a trained professional to ensure that the correct repair is made.

As I’m driving, all my lights inside/out of the car turn off and the car still stays on. But when I turn the car off it won’t turn over
ANSWER : Hello there. The charging system on the car may not be charging the battery as you drive and the systems that keep the engine running are priority so the engine will stay running until the voltage drops below about 9 volts but the lighting and some other accessories may cut off above this voltage first. You should have the charging system tested to see if the alternator needs to be replaced.

My car shuts off while driving and then turns back on multiple times or shuts off after driving and car turns off.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the alternator and make sure that the wiring it connected tight. Check the battery cables and make sure that they are tight and clean. Look for any loose ground wires to the chassis on the vehicle. If everything checks out to be working correctly, then the PCM may need to be replaced as it may have a battery disconnect condition. If you need further assistance with multiple functions shutting off, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Car won’t start after seeing engine hot turn a/c off warning light.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the battery cables and make sure that they are tight and clean. Then check the battery voltage and see if it has a voltage of 12.6 or 12.4. If the battery is less than that, then the battery needs charged. If the battery has 12.4 volts or higher, then place a load tester on the battery and see if the battery can hold a charge when a load is applied. If the battery drops under 9.6 volts, then the battery is no good and needs replaced. If the battery drops to 11.5 volts, then there is a dry cell and possible a burned cell and the battery needs replaced. If you need further assistance with testing your car battery, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Got my rear main seal fixed, but my car keeps having a rough idle, cutting off & the Electronic Throttle Control Light is on.
ANSWER : It sounds like you may have a faulty electronic throttle control unit. The electronic throttle unit opens and closes the throttle blade based upon input from various engine control sensors, including the accelerator pedal. This unit also controls, among other things, the cruise control function as well. When this control unit fails, this may cause intermittent stalling issues and rough idle problems. This is usually repaired by removing and replacing the throtte control unit. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle at your earliest convenience.

I just had my starter changed when I turned car on didn’t stay on. I had someone pass current and car turned on fine I drove car f
ANSWER : Hi there. It is quite possible that the starting issue you’re currently having with your Ford Focus is not related to the starter replacement. However, it could be due to might be due to your battery problem. When your battery does not have enough power to engage the starter, it also impacts other important systems critical to maintaining ignition, ranging from the ignition coils to fuel system components. It might be a good idea to have a professional mobile mechanic from our team come to your location to compete a car starts then dies inspection, so they can correctly diagnose this issue and ensure the right repairs are made.