96 Windstar Cruise Control problem

I have a 1996 Windstar... My cruise control stopped working several months ago... Any Ideas???

fuse, brake switch, cruise switch, cruise servo, vss problem. How many you want?

fuse, brake switch, cruise switch, cruise servo, vss problem. How many you want?


:uhoh: Thank you for your prompt reply.
I was reading an article about the brake switch the other day, however, this van currently does not have any other brake switch problems. i.e. brake lights work, I can take the car out of park. etc...

Do you know how I can begin to isolate these suggested parts one by one? or do you know of these parts witch is the most common one to go first?

Check all fuses first with a test light. You need to have the key on to check current on both sides of the fuses. An inexpensive test light will do the job. Then check for current going to the servo motor. Then check the brake switch for proper adjustment. It can be a little too loose and cause the problem. Then go to the switch to see if current is going out of switch to the servo. Good luck. I will search for a wiring diagram if needed. Let us know.

On my model, the brake (pressure) switch that causes the cruise control problem is mounted on the brake master cylinder.
The brake (position) switch that activates the brake lamps is mounted just above the brake pedal.

Not sure about the arrangement on your mode.

I have a '96....and have replaced both the brake petal swithc....called the Brake On Off Switch...(BOO).....yes....that is the FORD name for it....and the brake pressure switch.

BOTH switches will de-activate the cruise control.
You are correct, the brake lights work off of the BOO switch....that is mounted on the brake pedal.
Also, one of the wires that goes to the BOO switch can break off. That will cause no brake lights.....and the other failure that will tell you right away if that switch is bad..... If the BOO switch is defective.....(OPEN), not only will you have no brake lights....but you will not be able to shift out of PARK with the engine on. That is because the BOO switch also activates the Shift Interlock when you press down on the brake pedal. This prevents you from shifting into any gear without your foot on the brake.........

The Brake Pressure switch is the most likely cause of your problem. The part is about $17 at the FORD dealership. The Brake Pressure switch is mounted on the bottom of the master cylinder. It has 1 electrical connector on the bottom of it.
The replacement part comes as a "Kit" that includes a little wiring harness and a tie wrap.
I have pictures of my brake pressure switch replacement at http://community.webshots.com/album/201931518cScpNK

Sorry about posting this link over and over......I just hate to tell someone to go look for it in any number of other threads.....when I can just put it right here....where they are.....so that they can just click on it.

The brake pressure switch has NOTHING to do with the operation of the brakes. It tells the electronics that you have applied the brakes.

This part is easy to replace.....and a cheap repair.
I would have a new, sealed bottle of Motorcraft (it is good stuff) brake fluid on hand in case much fluid leaks out.
It does not come out very fast.....but if you are a wisker low to start with...... If you are even slightly low on brake fluid.....it can cause your ABS and Brake Warning lights to come on on the dashboard.

I have a '96....and have replaced both the brake petal swithc....called the Brake On Off Switch...(BOO).....yes....that is the FORD name for it....and the brake pressure switch.

BOTH switches will de-activate the cruise control.
You are correct, the brake lights work off of the BOO switch....that is mounted on the brake pedal.
Also, one of the wires that goes to the BOO switch can break off. That will cause no brake lights.....and the other failure that will tell you right away if that switch is bad..... If the BOO switch is defective.....(OPEN), not only will you have no brake lights....but you will not be able to shift out of PARK with the engine on. That is because the BOO switch also activates the Shift Interlock when you press down on the brake pedal. This prevents you from shifting into any gear without your foot on the brake.........

The Brake Pressure switch is the most likely cause of your problem. The part is about $17 at the FORD dealership. The Brake Pressure switch is mounted on the bottom of the master cylinder. It has 1 electrical connector on the bottom of it.
The replacement part comes as a "Kit" that includes a little wiring harness and a tie wrap.
I have pictures of my brake pressure switch replacement at http://community.webshots.com/album/201931518cScpNK

Sorry about posting this link over and over......I just hate to tell someone to go look for it in any number of other threads.....when I can just put it right here....where they are.....so that they can just click on it.

The brake pressure switch has NOTHING to do with the operation of the brakes. It tells the electronics that you have applied the brakes.

This part is easy to replace.....and a cheap repair.
I would have a new, sealed bottle of Motorcraft (it is good stuff) brake fluid on hand in case much fluid leaks out.
It does not come out very fast.....but if you are a wisker low to start with...... If you are even slightly low on brake fluid.....it can cause your ABS and Brake Warning lights to come on on the dashboard.

Thank you all who replied to my original message.
I actually changed the back brake switch and now my curise controls works great...
Thanks,
Nelson R. :rofl:

Thanks for posting the fix. Someone else may benefit from your fix.