Depending on where you live and how often you drive long distances, cruise control might just be the most important feature in your car. Those who travel hundreds of miles every day are usually so used to cruise control that driving without it feels like a chore. Unfortunately, these systems sometimes fail. When that happens, you are likely to get a P0564 check engine light code in addition to your cruise control no longer responding. 

If you’re wondering how to diagnose this code and what you can do to fix it, you’re in the right place. We’ll walk you through the diagnostics process, explain what causes this code, and how you can potentially fix it in your own driveway. 

What Does the P0564 Code Mean? 

The P0564 code is triggered when your cruise control system experiences an issue. On most modern cars, the Body Control Module (BCM) monitors the parameters of the cruise control. When it detects unusual resistance or voltages, it will run a self-diagnostic test. If the system doesn’t pass the test, you’ll get a check engine light and your cruise control will be deactivated until the issue is resolved. 

What Causes the P0564 Code? 

Whenever you get this code, the cause is almost always found somewhere in the cruise control assembly. If you look at your CC controls, you’ll see a whole array of switches and/or buttons. If any of these fail, you could get the P0564 code. 

That said, it’s not only the cruise control switches that can be the cause. You could also have an issue with the CC system wiring, connectors, and more. Here’s a brief list of the most common suspects for this code: 

• Cruise control switch failure
• Cruise control assembly wiring issue 
• Connector issue 
• Blown fuse 

Symptoms of a P0564 Code 

Since cruise control directly affects how your vehicle behaves, most of these systems are engineered to shut off whenever any kind of issue is detected. It’s a matter of safety. Because of that, the most common symptom of a P0546 code is cruise control system failure where you won’t be able to use this feature at all. 

Remember that self-diagnostic test we mentioned earlier? If the BCM registers anything out of order, the ECU will automatically trigger a failsafe and shut down cruise control while triggering a check engine light at the same time. Other vehicle functions will remain unaffected. 

How to Troubleshoot the P0564 Code? 

Diagnosing this particular code is fairly straightforward since there are so few symptoms. That said, there are a few steps you should take before you pull out the parts cannon and begin throwing parts at your car. 

Run a Full Scan 

As usual, the very first thing to do whenever there’s a check engine light on is to get your trusty OBD-II scanner and run a full diagnostic scan of the vehicle. This step is essential for a number of reasons. For one, a check engine light rarely reveals what the actual issue is. It will only tell if it’s a severe problem by flashing instead of staying on. 

By running a full diagnostic scan, you’ll be able to read out the codes and see what the ECU has logged, whether the codes are intermittent or historic, etc. 

Check the Fuses 

One of the most common mistakes people make when diagnosing this code is forgetting to check the fuses. There are many stories of DIY mechanics installing a brand new cruise control assembly only for it to not work just like the old one.  

Because of that, it’s highly recommended that you take a quick look at the fuse board and see if you can spot a bad fuse. Use your car’s service manual to figure out which fuses are linked to your cruise control system if your car doesn’t have the fuse diagram printed somewhere on the fuse box cover. 

Inspect your Cruise Control Switch 

If you’ve found no blown fuses, it’s time to take a look at the cruise control switch. Since most of these are mounted on the steering wheel, you need to be extra careful when trying to get to it as you’ll most likely have an airbag module in the way. To be on the safe side, disconnect your battery and let the car sit for 30 minutes or so. 

That way you’ll drain any capacitors in the car that may have stored some power. Just remember to write down your radio code before disconnecting the battery. As much of a hassle as this might sound, it’s far better than having the airbag deployed in your face while you’re tinkering with the steering wheel. 

Once you access the cruise control module, take a good look at the switches. Are they damaged? Are they covered in a sticky substance that would indicate that someone spilled something over them? Next, look at the wiring harness and all connectors. Are they showing any signs of physical damage? Are any of the wires compromised? Check all pins on both the male and female connectors. 

How to Fix the P0564 Code 

If you haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary while inspecting the cruise control module up close, chances are that one or more of your CC switches are no longer working. In this case, the only fix is to get a new CC switch cluster. Check our catalog for quality replacement cruise control switches for your car

In most cases, replacing the switch comes down to removing one or more wiring harness connectors and unscrewing several screws that hold the whole thing in place. Make sure to go for a quick test drive once you replace everything that needs to be replaced. Test every feature of the cruise control system and watch for any issues. 

Can You Drive With the P0564 Code Present? 

You can! Dead cruise control won’t affect your ability to drive the car. You just won’t be able to use your CC. That said, it’s highly recommended that you run a full scan of the car when that check engine light comes on until you can tell what’s causing it. 

Get Your Cruise Control Parts at eEuroparts.com! 

Here at eEuroparts.com, we carry a wide range of cruise control parts for a number of European makes and models. We have everything you need to fix the P0564 code and make sure that it doesn’t come back. To find out more, head over to our shop section, select your vehicle from the drop-down menu, and search for the parts you need. Our system will return only parts that are a guaranteed fit for your car!