Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Jetta Cruise Inop Q. Hello, I've got a 1997 Volkswagen Jetta GLS manual with about 60,000 and the 4 cylinder. My problem is with the cruise control: Without fail it will work when right away after starting the car. It will generally work for 30-60 minutes on the highway, but then it will cut out (all of the sudden the pressure keeping the pedal in will drop off, and it falls to the idle level).

I can never get it to work again right away. However, even if I've been driving for three or four hours, it will work again after just a ten minute stop to gas up. I've had it at mechanics, but since it ALWAYS works after the car sits, they have trouble diagnosing it. I haven't been able to tell any difference with hot/cold weather. What could be the problem?

Thanks,
Jon

A. The problem may be caused by the clutch pedal over center spring (arrow) dropping out of position. This causes the clutch pedal to not fully return to it's stop and thus the cruise control will not function.

There is a new support, Part No: 1HM 419 555D, and pedal stop, Part No: 861 805 461, available from Volkswagen to correct this situation.