Cruise control override

[samhutto]

I have a 98 QX4 and as y'all know you have to turn on the switch on the left side of the steering wheel each time you crank up the car to have cruise enabled. Has anyone modified the switch so that it is always on?
I think all it would take is a jumper line on the switch but I'm not sure if there would be any negative effects.
Anyone have any experience with this?

[Towncivilian]

I'm not aware of anybody doing such a mod previously, but it's certainly possible and should be fairly simple. I'm not aware of any side effects as long as you use a power wire that's hot only with the ignition on to prevent battery drain. I'd be interested in such a mod as well, since I always use cruise control even in town to help minimize accidental speeding and to get slightly better fuel economy. With the wiring diagrams from the EL section of the FSM, you should be able to find all of the required information on performing this mod fairly quickly.

[samhutto]

I can't think of anything that would go wrong just by jumping the hot wire over to bypass the switch. It would be the same as if you pressed the switch with the key in the off position, nothing would happen. I'll most likely do this Easter weekend and I'll be sure to post pics and a step-by-step if it turns out well.
Thanks for your help.

[Towncivilian]

You're right, I thought the wire was hot with the ignition off for some reason.

[Buzzman]

What switch dost thou speak of?
Must have changed things up in 2002 (or earlier?), 'cause all I have for controls is what's on the steering wheel. (Cruise controls on the right, radio controls on the left).
Just curious.

[samhutto]

The cruise control controls (set, reset, cancel) are all found on the right side of the steering wheel. However, in order to enable them, you must turn the cruise control on which is found on the left side (which you can see here http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_ima ... _large.jpg ) it is located to the left of the security light (which is red).

[ltsnotme]

Is this yours? Looks like you're ready for some serious braking

[samhutto]

haha, no it's not mine. I was too lazy to get up so I just did a google search for a picture.