2001 Accord EX - Cruise Control has failed

Hi Everyone. I received tremendous help here before and hoping for a
repeat.

My deal is that the cruise control will no longer engage. It stopped
working just about a year ago, but now with a new job/commute I wish I
had it back. Page 319 of the manual shows the only reference to a
fuse related to cruise control, and it is not burned out. It's 6th
from the bottom on the Driver's side interior fuse box. It's a 15A
fuse called "ECU (ECM/PCM), Cruise Control" and is definitely not
burned out and is making good contact.

The main Cruise Control push button to the left of the steering wheel
(next to sun roof control) does still click in and light up green (not
the dash light, just the button) but the cruise buttons on the
steering wheel will not set a speed.

For the record, I am not too mechanically inclined and not looking to
drop more than a few bucks to fix. It would be nice to have back but
I can live without cruise, especially in this economy.

At the moment the engine is throwing a "P0420" OBDII code for the
catalytic converter, but that just started and can't see how it's
related since the cruise failed last year. Any other fuses I need to
check? Looking for advice as to what to do next. Thanks all!

 

On my '03 LX, the solution was to replace the switch in the steering
wheel. Not too difficult, once you identify the part number. I think
it cost me about $30 for the switch.

RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen

 

Jack and Jill worked at the mill
until the work did slack off.
The manager cried,
"I can't decide
whether to lay Jill or Jack off!"

 

Is this Thee Shop Manual?

If so there should be a page with a Cruise Control Troubleshooting
sequence. It should look like the single page excerpted under step 17
at http://honda.lioness.googlepages.com/cruisecontrol. You have to be
willing to use a multimeter and get under the dash, though. You end up
testing the connections to the various switches with this procedure.
It narrows down the problem very quickly. Otherwise, you are going to
be replacing things like the steering wheel switch, the main switch,
the brake switch, the clutch switch etc. at random.

 

Don't have a shop manual. I meant page 319 of the owner's manual.

 

No, I meant page 319 of the owner's manual. I don't have a shop
manual.

 

Honda had a lot of trouble in the cable reel in the steering column. It
shows up a lot in the Ody radio controls. As was mentioned above
someone with knowlege of troubleshooting electrical circuits is needed to
diagnose the problem.

 

Honda had a lot of trouble in the cable reel in the steering column. It

With my head by the pedals, how will I know what wires lead to the
steering wheel cruise control controls? I just want to make sure
everything is tight and to ensure electrical connectivity.

After that I guess I'll have to hire a pro to troubleshoot the
circuits.

 

Probably the only two electrical connections that you will find easy
to examine are at the brake and clutch pedals, assuming you have a
manual tranny. The brake pedal has a switch that operates both the
brake lights and cuts off the cruise control. The clutch pedal's lower
switch cuts off the cruise control, too. There is actually a fair
chance that the problem is simply at one of these two switches. But to
check them, we are back to your needing a multimeter.

To help locate the switches, see
http://www.bkhondaparts.com/billkay/jsp/prddisplay.jsp?catcgry1=ACCORD&catcgry2=2001&catcgry3=4DR+EX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=PEDAL&ListAll=All&vinsrch=no&systemcomp=Chassis&prdrefno=&quantity=0&act=&count=0&hidSwitch=Switch&hidIrno=%7C031%7C005%7C003

You can try to look at the wire connections at the cruise controller,
too, item 1 at:
http://www.bkhondaparts.com/billkay/jsp/prddisplay.jsp?catcgry1=ACCORD&catcgry2=2001&catcgry3=4DR+EX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5=CONTROL+UNIT+%28CABIN%29&ListAll=All&vinsrch=no&systemcomp=Electrical%2FExhaust%2FHeater%2FFuel&prdrefno=&quantity=0&act=&count=0&hidSwitch=&hidIrno=

But unless someone has been poking around down there, it's more likely
one of the CC switches (brake, clutch, steering wheel, main) failed. I
would not expect the actuator (located in the engine compartment) to
be very likely to fail.