Cruise control died again...

[DesktopDave]

Took me a little while to find the problem with this one, but I get bonus points for fixing it in a hotel parking lot...with only that silly BMW toolkit screwdriver.

First try:  It has to be a fuse.  Popped off the cover (that's what I needed the screwdriver for) and found a blown 30 amp.  Replaced that, confidently went on my way.  I go to use it, big fail.  No cruise for me!

Second try: It has to be an overload.  Pop fuse cover off again, replace fuse again.  Check cable tension.  No cable tension.  Feels like it's broken somewhere...  I'm 400 miles from home, it's too late to get a spare from a junkyard.  I pull the cable out and note that the buckle is still stuck in the actuator - with the little rubber belt flapping loose.

Diagnosis: Belt slipped off the cable buckle then (I'm assuming) the cruise actuator overloaded the circuit and popped that 30 amp fuse.

[longtallsally]

Really?  Wow, good info.  I never would have sorted that one out.  It makes me hope I re-wound the belt to an acceptable tension in mine as I use mine CONSTANTLY (mainly to avoid the speed cameras over here).  I learned about how the actuator works with a buddy by dissecting one a while back.  Cool design.

[DesktopDave]

I pulled one apart and never did get it back together...how much would you estimate the pre-load was?

[longtallsally]

I pulled one apart and never did get it back together...how much would you estimate the pre-load was?

Um, about that much?  :confused:  Sorry, I don't remember, but I'm sure you will know as it is more than just putting it back together, and less than being impossibly tight.  Sorry, I know that is a lame response...

[DesktopDave]

LOL...I'll go for "just about right."  An old mechanic buddy of mine taught me how to tighten bolts that way.