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tommoore1

VW Sharan Cruise Control Failure: Throttle Issues Alert

My VW Sharan (2005 Diesel, 126867km) shows an error message in the dash and the cruise control stopped working. Looking for advice before going to a mechanic again since my last repair experience was not great. Could this be related to the throttle body or actuator malfunction? Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms and can share their repair costs? The error is stored in the memory but I dont have the exact code right now.

4 comment(s)

leonie_feuer22

Having experienced similar cruise control issues with my VW Touran 2008 2.0 TDI, this sounds like a common malfunction in the VAG family cars. Last week at the garage, they found the root cause was a faulty system connection at the brake pedal switch. The diagnostics revealed multiple issues in the cruise control module communication. The main problem wasnt the throttle body, but rather deteriorated wiring and a loose connector at the brake pedal sensor. When these connections fail, the system disables cruise control as a safety measure. This typically requires: Full system diagnostics scan, Testing brake pedal switch signals, Checking fuse box connections, Inspecting cable harness condition, Verifying throttle body signals While not a severe mechanical issue, it does require proper troubleshooting as unusual parts replacement rarely solves it. The repair involves accessing tight spaces behind the pedal assembly and testing multiple connection points. Best to get the exact error code stored in memory before visiting a mechanic. This will help narrow down whether its truly a wiring issue or potentially a more complex electronic control unit problem.

tommoore1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had the exact same symptoms on my Sharan a few months ago. The cruise control malfunction turned out to be related to corroded wiring near the steering wheel controls, plus a failing brake light switch. Did you manage to resolve your issue? Just curious about the final repair costs since mine came to 280€ including diagnostics and replacement parts. Have you noticed any other electronic quirks since the repair was done?

leonie_feuer22

After dealing with the non-functional cruise control on my Touran, I can confirm the issue is now completely resolved. The mechanic found and fixed a damaged cable connection near the steering wheel actuator assembly, much simpler than initially feared. The total repair came to just 95€, which covered the diagnostic scan and fixing the faulty connection. No parts needed replacement, just proper cleaning and securing of the existing wiring. This was significantly less expensive than your repair since no components had to be replaced. Since the fix, all car electronics have been working perfectly. The cruise control system responds immediately when engaged, and there have been no warning lights or error messages in the dash. The mechanic also checked the fuse box connections while diagnosing the issue, ensuring everything was properly seated. This type of electrical gremlin is pretty common in these models, but once properly addressed, they tend to stay fixed. Definitely worth getting it sorted by someone who knows these systems well rather than trying cheaper quick fixes that might not last.

tommoore1 (Author)

I finally got the issue sorted with my Sharan. After getting various opinions, I took it to a specialized VW workshop. The mechanic immediately recognized the symptoms when testing the cruise control system. The final diagnosis revealed two issues: a damaged wiring harness near the steering wheel and a worn brake pedal switch. The car electronics scan showed multiple fault codes related to these problems. The repair involved replacing both components and rewiring part of the steering column. Total cost came to 280€, which included: Complete diagnostic scan, New brake light switch, Wiring repair kit, Labor costs Since the repair, the cruise control works flawlessly and no warning lights have appeared on the dash. The fuse box connections were also checked and cleaned as a precaution. Really glad I went with a specialist this time, the previous generic mechanic had missed these issues completely. Thanks everyone for the helpful advice that pointed me in the right direction for getting this fixed properly.

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