Cruise Control Beeps and Shuts Off

[bpeckham]

I've had this happen to me a few times.

To help avoid a possible speeding ticket, I often use my cruise control on the surface streets that I take too and from work, unless there are hills or curves, but that's another story...

The speed limits are 45, 50, 55. So I'll turn on the cruise (non radar) and push the adjust button up or down five times to, you know, keep it sane.

Sometimes when I adjust down, I'll push the button two or three times, and the cruise control will beep and shut off. It's like "I can't handle this, I give up. Beep! I'm outta here!"

Anyone else notice the flaky behavior?

 

[ZillaZ]

I only ever use cruise on interstates.
i wonder if you adjust your speed too much with the buttons it shuts off. I haven't played around with the Z's cruise too much but in my Frontier I believe I can only adjust the MPH 5-7 MPH in either direction. I don't remember it shutting off if I tried to go further though. I also didn't click it up / down a bunch to try that either.

I would guess it's something like that or maybe a sensor that you were close to another car / object and it tripped and shut cruise off? Really not sure but interested if you find out.

 

[bpeckham]

Had the car into the shop to look at this problem. Took the tech for a ride, and tired to reproduce the problem. It happened two out of about 10 attempts.

However l, the tech said that it's not happening enough for them to take action. Needs to be more reproducible.

He said he'd check for codes, check for software updates, and look in the problem database, but my expectations are pretty low this will be fixed.

Also the tech has a 350Z project car, so we got to chat about that while zipping around Poway.

I really enjoy this car, but these nagging little problems detract from me loving this car.

 

[FSUZ33]

“…not happening enough to take action…” …?!!!

”Yes sir, we see the flames shooting out of the AC vents when you hit 30 mph. But it only happened twice in ten tries. Unfortunately that’s not enough to warrant a repair.”

 

[bpeckham]

Yeah. They didn't even record that it happened. Chicken sh!t if you ask me. Granted this is not on the same scale as flames shooting out of the AC vents, but it's definitely a problem. Am I really the only Z owner with this problem? I'm guessing all y'all don't use cruise nearly as much as I do. Maybe I should stop using it so much, and then I won't notice it as often (but I'd probably have more speeding tickets ).

Update: left the dealer. All software up to date. No codes found. No bulletins found.

My 3-year warranty is up in a month. I'm guessing my car will be this way for its lifetime.

 

[Zplz]

I've had this happen to me a few times.

To help avoid a possible speeding ticket, I often use my cruise control on the surface streets that I take too and from work, unless there are hills or curves, but that's another story...

The speed limits are 45, 50, 55. So I'll turn on the cruise (non radar) and push the adjust button up or down five times to, you know, keep it sane.

Sometimes when I adjust down, I'll push the button two or three times, and the cruise control will beep and shut off. It's like "I can't handle this, I give up. Beep! I'm outta here!"

Anyone else notice the flaky behavior?

Speed limits? Oh, you mean those things most of the drivers in Houston either can't decipher or don't care about.

I guess I don't know any better but I try to stay close to the speed limits and use my cruise control quite a bit, with frequent button adjustments. No problems here, yet, on my Sport. No beeps, shutoffs. Nada.

Was this happening early on with your Z or started occurring later on? Didn't the dealer note the issue in your initial service order? My service orders usually document any owner concerns/ requests up front. Now whether the dealer actually does anything is another issue, but at least I have a record of any concerns/ requests if they persist or my car decides to self-immolate.

 

[bpeckham]

Speed limits? Oh, you mean those things most of the drivers in Houston either can't decipher or don't care about.

San Diego is similar. The tech and I actually drove through a speed trap yesterday while we were testing it. Two cars were pulled over.

 

[Zplz]

San Diego is similar. The tech and I actually drove through a speed trap yesterday while we were testing it. Two cars were pulled over.

At least the LEO was doing something. Speed traps seem to be rare around here, unless you’re passing through one of the local towns that surround Houston. I was stunned about a week ago to actually spot an HPD cruiser alongside a road, training his radar gun on passing traffic. I was glad to see it. It’s one of the numerous roads around here where drivers seem to be trying to achieve orbital velocity.

 

[Zplz]

I guess I need to knock on wood. I was just out in the Z, came around a corner and, low-and-below, there was a constable with a radar gun. Fortunately, I was actually under the speed limit.

 

[bpeckham]

Was this happening early on with your Z or started occurring later on? Didn't the dealer note the issue in your initial service order?

The problem has been happening since I started this thread, but I don't think I reported it before this service. You know, lots going on, the cruise control isn't always top of mind.

The service department noted the complaint, and even though the tech witnessed it, they recorded "problem is not reproducible".

This is what annoys me. It feels like it's a lie. I'd respect them a lot more if they wrote, "problem seen 2 out of 10 times, which doesn't rise to the level required to fix it." I.e., the truth.

Eh, whatever. The car is still fun to drive.

 

[Zplz]

The problem has been happening since I started this thread, but I don't think I reported it before this service. You know, lots going on, the cruise control isn't always top of mind.

The service department noted the complaint, and even though the tech witnessed it, they recorded "problem is not reproducible".

This is what annoys me. It feels like it's a lie. I'd respect them a lot more if they wrote, "problem seen 2 out of 10 times, which doesn't rise to the level required to fix it." I.e., the truth.

Eh, whatever. The car is still fun to drive.

At least they documented it. You can always keep mentioning it at every service. I know something like this can be aggravating but it could always be worse.

You’re right, though. The Z is fun to drive. In fact, I’ve been trying to wean myself off using cruise control so much, so I can be more engaged with the driving experience. I lived for years with cars that had no cruise control. Sometimes simpler is better, at least when it comes to enjoying a sports car.