Cruise Control Diagnostics & Repair - 1994 VW Jetta MK3

[@aagannon]

Thanks for posting this. My '99 Passat has had a non-functioning cruise control system for 7-8 years. My mechanic wants to charge me $600 to replace the computer but, obviously, I'd rather spend $49 with "valuevue". Thanks to you guys, my foot will soon get a rest on long drives.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

+Aaron Gannon I concur. After several years of being inoperative, I fixed mine and my foot felt liberated. I couldn't believe how much I missed cruise control. I highly recommend Gregg's module exchange service "valuevue" on eBay. Mine is still working fine as was confirmed on my commute this morning.

[@DJ_Andreas]

Thanks for showing how easy this is to diagnose! The repair manual seemed so intimidating, but this looks very simple to do.

[@jays1359]

Great video. Did and passed all the tests in your video with the exception of one. The wiring harness in my 98 cabrio does not have anything leading to pin 12. Whats the function of that wire? Thanks in advance.. great job on the video keeping it understandable to a non mechanic.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I'm not sure. Unfortunately, I don't have the car anymore or the Bentley manual. Sold it to a collector of old VWs who is taking good care of it. Is yours an automatic? That might be the difference.

[@davidbiloen5037]

Thanks man, EXCELLENT video, thanks a lot for making/posting it.

[@feliperocha9073]

My golf 98 has problems with the cruise control. There seems to be a hose disconnected from the Brake booster hose. Does the vacuum from the cruise control pump comes from the brake vaccum system?

[@christian_VR6_Argentina]

Muchas Gracias Genio!!!!

[@trevornugent9680]

Great video for helping with my vw t4 cruise. Top job mate. Thanks !

[@ELPROFEMECANICO]

Thanks a lot! My cruise control does not work. I will make this diagnosis. regards.

[@familyandroid4581]

exelent vid. tope you keep shearing knowledge, very clear, great job

[@WorseThanChiggers]

family android Thanks! I appreciate the kind words.

[@eldan2]

Great vid. I have the same problem with my 97 GLS

[@johnarreola125]

This might sound like a stupid question but I have a 96 Jetta gls but my instrumental cluster does not work could that cause cruse controlle not to work and we’re is the fuse located I think I’m over looking it but not sure ?!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I don't think that an inoperative instrument cluster would affect the cruise control but if neither works, you may have a common cause. For fuse locations, look inside the fuse box cover for the diagram.

[@carlosesquivel1314]

dude excellent job you know how to do it ... mine does not work on my 98 jetta gt ill be getting one from junk yard instead of soldering , mine lol blessings . n keep up the good work .

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks for the kind comments. I really appreciate it. I once bought a salvaged unit and it worked for a few years but then died with the same problem. The repaired unit proved to be more reliable.

[@shadowoble101]

Couldn't even get any reading on test 1 lol. I think it's my fault, but my car does look diff than yours. It's a 98 Wolfsburg 2.0 manual. The wires on the plug look like they're wired differently too. Idk, I'm gonna have to do some more research.

[@NewfieMan98]

Hey man, nice car. But would this same process work on my 94 2.0 ABA?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Yes, it should be the same as my '94 GLX. Thanks and good luck.

[@timothymonsell4022]

Very helpful! Well done!

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Thanks for the kind comments. I really appreciate it.

[@bobtosi7495]

Great video! I have An automatic and can not pass step 1. Does the cruise have a separate fuse?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

It's definitely fused. Look at the fuse diagram in your owner's manual.

[@bobtosi7495]

Owners manual does not show what each individual fuse is for.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

@@bobtosi7495 The fuse box cover should have a diagram.

[@bobtosi7495]

@@WorseThanChiggers I checked the cover and it list what each fuse goes to, but none of them specifically says cruise control.

[@corrado352]

1st step failed, no power to pin 9. Cant seem to find anything online about location for cruise control fuse. Any idea?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

For a manual or auto transmission? The steps are slightly different for an automatic than what i went through in this video.

[@ruipedroso7463]

Hi and thanks for the video. can you tell me what manual are you following on the video, please

[@WorseThanChiggers]

It's a factory service manual from Bentley Publishers. Here's the one for my car. www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Jetta-Golf-GTI-Platform/dp/0837616603

[@ruipedroso7463]

thks

[@garydesantis]

this is a great video, 2001 be similar do you think?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

The 2001 model year would be the MK4 generation of cars. I believe the module and its location are different. Otherwise, the procedure would be fairly similar. Check with the eBay seller listed in the description for a module compatible with your car.

[@elgranruiz]

Great video! But what if i dont have voltage in any terminal of the connector?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Depends on whether your car has a manual or automatic transmission. Which do you have?

[@elgranruiz]

worsethanchiggers i have automatic transmision

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Step 1 and 1A of the test procedure for automatic transmissions is: Connect multimeter to cruise control harness connector terminals 9 and vehicle ground. Using a helper to read meter, road test car with transmission in D, 3, or 2 and accelerate to above 25 mph, switch on cruise control. Observer battery voltage on multimeter. Assuming success, proceed to remove fuse S51. Using a fuse jumper, supply 12 volts back into the socket of the removed fuse. Try both terminals until battery voltage is indicated on multimeter. Switch ignition on. Switch on cruise control. Leave jumper in place for all remaining tests which are the same as when testing with a manual transmission.

[@elgranruiz]

worsethanchiggers tanks a lot very useful your information

[@SlipknotMaggot0526]

Was ridiculously hard for me but I got it unplugged and out in the end. I tested everything and it all passed besides blowing the fuse. I replaced the fuse and tested it again and passed without blowing another one. Mine seems to have been replaced before because it has some writing on it but looked unopened so it was another new one at one point. All my solders look to have a good connection. What exactly would a bad one look like is what I'm wondering. Also is that module you replaced it with still in working order?

[@SlipknotMaggot0526]

I guess you can't really mistake a bad solder. I'll check the ohms to the pins. If that checks out, then must be the relay...

[@WorseThanChiggers]

SlipknotMaggot0526 Yes, I'm happy to report that the replacement module from Gregg is still going strong. The car, however, has been recently parked and out of commission due to a very concerning noise now coming from the transmission. Would anyone be interested in me attempting a transmission rebuild and posting a video series on that project?

[@SlipknotMaggot0526]

worsethanchiggers is it a manual? If so, then yes that would be cool. Also I found it's not the relay because it was tested and works. Must the chip. I might just buy one from the guy on ebay. $40 is pretty cheap anyway.

[@Sinangenc5]

Is it possible to applicaton on 1997 1.9d aaz motor?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

It is likely similar.

[@gabrielimazsongs]

Hey man all the tests passed and I got 2 replacement modules, tested them out and cruise control still won’t engage

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Sorry to hear that. Did you follow the detailed diagnostic steps in the factory service manual? They are different depending on whether you have an automatic or manual transmission. They should have revealed the problem.

[@gabrielimazsongs]

@@WorseThanChiggers I have the manual and I followed all your steps. All of them passed but it turns out the modules I received weren’t working so I sent my original module to module Master and they fixed it. Now it works perfectly fine

[@EthanL21800]

Where can I find an ecu?

[@mg0041]

Hi! Where can you obtain the service manual shown from 0:32 ? :)

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Search Amazon or eBay for "Bentley Service Manual".

[@daliusdatenis8685]

Is this the same on 1998 Audi A4 B5 1.8T Quattro? Where I can find the information like in your book?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I'm not sure which cruise control module your car uses. I suggest that you contact Gregg, the eBay seller of those modules listed in the description of this video. The detailed information on the test procedure can be found in the factory service manual which you can buy on eBay and elsewhere. Search for "1998 Audi A4 service manual" and buy one published by Bentley. Don't get the small ones from Chilton or Haynes which don't have enough detailed information.

[@daliusdatenis8685]

My car use module 5GA 004 397-16 it will be different then yours? Or I can check the sistem with your information?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

That part number is different than mine. Check with Gregg. The link to his eBay store is in the description of this video.

[@daliusdatenis8685]

Thanks, Gregg send me information how check my cruise control sistem :)

[@guidosaur7506]

I can't pass test 1, but all other tests work flawlessly. Idk why I'm not getting power to the system.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

+Guidosaur The video walks through the process for a car with a manual transmission. With an automatic, you need to be moving above 25 mph to measure voltage to the cruise control. Does yours have an automatic? If so, step 1 in the diagnostic procedure is different. I'll paraphrase from the Bentley manual: 1. Check voltage between terminal 9 and ground. Using a helper to read multimeter, road test car with transmission in D, 3, or 2 and accelerate to above 25 mph. Switch on cruise control. Expected results are battery voltage. Areas to check if result is NOT obtained: - Note that voltage is supplied from TCM when step 1A conditions are met. - Check TCM or break in wiring from TCM - Check for voltage at terminals 1 and 4 of cruise control switch (E45) - Check for break in wiring between cruise control switch (E45) and cruise control ECU (J213) 1A. To continue testing after above test is completed: Remove fuse S51. Using a fused jumper, supply 12 volts back into the socket of the removed fuse. Try both terminals until battery voltage is indicated on multimeter. Switch ignition on. Switch on cruise control. Leave jumper in place for all remaining tests. Expected results are battery voltage across terminals 9 and ground.

[@guidosaur7506]

+worsethanchiggers sorry I didn't specify here, just the vwvortex post. I have a 98 2.0 mk3 Wolfsburg edition 5 speed. every single test you did worked for me except test 1. I saw some Bentley scans on the forums for what to do if there's no voltage on 9, which was test terminals 1&4 on the connector to the CC lever, check the wiring, and check the fuses. I didn't think there was a fuse but I heard somewhere it was the same one that does brake lights, which work fine on my car. I didn't get signal on the connector terminals to the CC lever on the steering wheel, but all the buttons work on it so that's confusing to me. I suppose the wiring could be bad? I feel like I could send my box to Greg from eBay and throw that in and it'll work, but I'm not sure. Thanks for the video and helping me here in the comments

[@guidosaur7506]

+worsethanchiggers I just decided to throw my box to Greg on ebay. Hopefully that fixes the problem. Still don't understand why I couldn't get voltage on pin 9, but i had ground between 9 and 4, and passed all other tests using pin 9 (like the jumpers one). Maybe it's just something going over my head, but this has really been confusing me lately lol.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

+Guidosaur Hope Gregg's replacement does the trick. Keep us posted.

[@guidosaur7506]

+worsethanchiggers Got the replacement, installed everything, and....... it didn't work. It's closer though. All the CC buttons make the box relay make clicking sounds, so there's gotta be power from the turn signal lever to the box. It's gotta just be a fuse somewhere? From the research I've done, no one online can seem to agree which fuse is for the cruise control. Some people say it's under the hood, some people say it's on top of the fuse box. I don't really know what the problem is but I'm too deep in to give up now. I trust Gregg's work, so it can't be the box.

[@austinfunny911]

Passed everything except the vacuum pump didnt turn on. What's next?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

I think you just answered your own question. It's time to troubleshoot the vacuum pump and it's electrical circuit. I'd start by checking its fuse and then see if it is getting power at the pump.

[@computerwiz4]

This same module is used in the 1997 mk3 Jetta as well right?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

+benster82 Yes, MK3 Golf and Jettas from 1993-1999, Cabrios from 1995-2002, and Passats from 1994-1997.

[@computerwiz4]

worsethanchiggers Great, thank you!

[@porceder]

Also '93-'97 Eurovan

[@Michael-ft3vg]

My Saab 900 has cruise control problems

[@charliecox479]

I have a 1995 Volkswagen that looks similar to this one I wish I could find somebody that can help me work on it It runs but the cruise control don’t work and the vacuum hoses need to be replaced because they’re all dry rotted need somebody with a little bit more experience on the Volkswagen to help

[@MultiBeginner]

What was the name of the book?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

It's the 1993-1999 factor service manual for the Volkswagen Jetta from Bentley Publishers. www.google.com/search?q=1994+volkswagen+jetta+service+manual+bentley+publishers

[@MultiBeginner]

@@WorseThanChiggers Volkswagen Jetta, Golf, GTI, Cabrio Service Manual, 1993-1999 : Including Jetta III, Golf III, VRG and TDI by Bentley (1999, Trade Paperback)? i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DIAAAOSwRwNf~s66/s-l640.jpg ? Page does not open - www.bentleypublishers.com/volkswagen/owners-manuals/vw-jetta-1994-om.html

[@jivkoangelov8572]

I Dont have power on 7 and 4 pin speed sensor. Help?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Extend your troubleshooting skills and think about what you next logical steps would be. Where would the power for those pins originate? Perhaps a fuse, relay, or some other component? What color are the wires leading to those pins? If you were to look up the wiring diagram, where would those wires lead you? Could you check for power at their source and continue troubleshooting from there?

[@mikebrungardt]

Here's an oddity - I installed some LED brake light bulbs, and my cruise stopped working. Turns out, for some reason, the LED bulbs cause a 4 volt reading when testing terminals 3 to 9, rather than 12v. This will stop your cruise control from working. Maybe it's just the particular LED's I bought, but I put my old incandescent bulbs back in, and the cruise control is working! In all the research I did on this (and it was quite a bit), I never heard of this issue.

[@WorseThanChiggers]

+mikebrungardt Any chance that you have a bad ground somewhere?

[@mikebrungardt]

worsethanchiggers That's always a possibility. The diagnostic step testing the 3 pin to the 9 pin is really just checking for a good ground on the 3 pin(since the 9 pin is supplied with 12v). A weak ground in the brake light circuit is a possibility.

[@JamesKelly89]

Has anyone ever told you that you sound just like Jeff Goldblum?

[@WorseThanChiggers]

+James Kelly Haven't gotten that one before. Pretty cool, tho.

[@charlesjames7935]

I'll vote for you if you ever decided to run for the White House

[@WorseThanChiggers]

Charles James My hair would never compete with The Donald.