Cruise Control troubleshooting

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May 26, 2014 | 10:17 PM

#11

sd267

Stage III

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 3

Likes: 0

From: Long Island, NY

2011 RKC Cruise Control inop

Quote:

Originally Posted by vzts4q

shortride I see that you have already found your problem but here is some info anyway.

The procedure for checking the cruise is in the electrical service manual.

Kill switch in run position
Hold cruise to set position
Turn on ignition
Cruise light on speedometer should be green
Release set on cruise light should be red
If it stays green you have a switch problem or pinched wire
if it is red make the other switches one at a time
all the following should turn the light green
set
resume
front brake
rear brake
clutch
throttle roll forward

Hey all, The cruise stopped working on my '11 FLHRC a few weeks ago and then began working again only to crap out approx. another 100 miles later. It was interesting to see the bike just automatically accelerate to 80+ MPH on its own while setting it for 65... I ran the above diagnostics to the best of my ability and got the "green" cruise light on all 6 switches and the "cancelled" orange / red lamp when I deactivated, "switched off" or released the particular switch. Unfortunately, I DO NOT own a factory service manual and I'm going to attempt a dealer visit for this week but don't put much faith in them trying to squeeze me in for an appt. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. (I was just informed that I'll be riding to Americade next Monday [a nice surprise]and I'd love to have this function for the trip. A nice surprise.) Thanks in advance and ride safe. -Scott

Jun 23, 2014 | 11:53 AM

#12

ctcruiser

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 11

Likes: 0

From: Eastern CT

Hope this works for me. My cruise quit on me while in NH for Laconia bike week. I'm thankful for your detailed post. Off to troubleshoot...
Troubleshoot went well, all switches worked ok. Road tested and it was working again. However, while cruising it started to dropping speed. Dropped from 50 to 40 in about 2mins time.
I'm thinking the controller may be bad? Anybody resolve a problem like this before?

Last edited by ctcruiser; Jul 4, 2014 at 09:12 AM. Reason: New findings troubleshooting cruise control.

Jun 23, 2014 | 12:40 PM

#13

h-d wrencher

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 2,445

Likes: 1,553

From: Central Wisconsin

I think there was a recall on the brake switches. My Street Glide is an 09 and I had mine replaced. Take your bike to your local dealer and have them check the vin to see if the recall was done.

Jun 23, 2014 | 02:01 PM

#14

Nute

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 881

Likes: 13

From: ONT

Quote:

Originally Posted by h-d wrencher

I think there was a recall on the brake switches. My Street Glide is an 09 and I had mine replaced. Take your bike to your local dealer and have them check the vin to see if the recall was done.

There definitely was a rear brake switch recall on 09 - 12. Seems the heat from the exh. pipe was causing the switch to fail.

If you have ABS you will need to have the dealer bleed your brakes with the Digitech. Some guys have done the bleeding without the digitech but since it's covered under the recall why not take advantage.

Last edited by Nute; Jun 23, 2014 at 02:04 PM.

Jun 23, 2014 | 02:14 PM

#15

Guntoter

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 2,216

Likes: 102

From: Central Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd267

I had basically the same problem with my cruise, first it shut off on its own and would not re-engage, then when it did a few minutes later it starts accelerating on its own. When I tried disengaging with the front brake, it would shut off momentarily then re-engage on its own and continue the out of control acceleration. I also went through all the checks the Harley electrical manual stated to do and found nothing wrong. I replaced the speed sensor which also did nothing.

In the end I replaced the expensive cruise control module and it STILL did not work and would still go full throttle when it did. At this point I was sick of it and was not going to spend anymore money on it so I turned off the switch and ignored it. A few weeks later I was riding and decided to switch on the cruise and see if it worked and it did, with no further problems whatsoever since then. No idea what or why, but I assume it was the control module that was the problem.

Jun 23, 2014 | 03:12 PM

#16

prezflyr

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 223

Likes: 0

From: Jackson Louisiana

yep, my 09 did the same thing and it was the rear brake switch, there is a recall but I just bought one and went riding.

Feb 9, 2015 | 04:35 AM

#17

Twinrider

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 2,368

Likes: 14

From: Yokohama

Quote:

Originally Posted by vzts4q

My cruise control on my '09 RK suddenly stopped working. The cruise light lights up red if I activate the cruise on switch but never turns to green when I try to set it. I tried the test above, but the cruise light doesn't turn green at all, just stays red. Anyone have any further diagnostic suggestions I can try before going to the dealer?

Thanks.

Apr 1, 2016 | 08:55 PM

#18

GRIM_IJMC

Stage I

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by shortride

After reading some of the posts on cruise control issue I decided to go out and check to see if my brake light was on and it was. Now I know why the cruise would not set. I unplugged one of the wires on the rear brake light switch and now the brake light is not on and only the front brake lever will activate the brake light.

I haven’t ridden the scoot to see if the cruise will set now but is it alright to assume the rear brake light switch is bad? I don't see any adjustment on the rear brake light switch.

.

There is a switch in between your right hand control and the the brake lever take off the whole right brake control by way of the two screws facing you when your on the bike loosen the top screw on hand controls look where the lever seats into controls you will see a small round switch it has a rubber boot on it with a hole in the center take a small nail cut the head off it leaving a bout 3mm off the actual nail attached to the head now grab the 3mm w pliers and work the head of the nail into the boot put it back together it will work normally again

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Apr 4, 2016 | 06:41 AM

#19

rusty289

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 353

Likes: 32

From: New Brunswick Canada

2009s had a recall on the rear brake light switch, did yours get replaced?

Apr 4, 2016 | 06:57 AM

#20

fordhd2005

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 863

Likes: 166

From: Athens, AL

Had the same issue on mine. First, the brake light would not go out and later on that day the back brakes went out completely (it wasn't leaking or anything). Stopped by a dealership, they replaced it for free and all was good again.