The Volkswagen Golf’s hatchback style and signature shape make her an easily identifiable car. Manufactured since 1974, the various generations of the Golf (seven, to date) always impressed the public and the critics, and it twice won the European Car of the Year: in 2013 and 1992. The third generation Golf, manufactured from 1993 to 2001, was an early adopter of the Turbocharged Direct Injection system and helped launch the diesel craze in Europe. It is not uncommon for the cruise control to act up in this car.
Like most every other problem, bad cruise control symptoms vary depending on the car. Some owners experience a complete failure of the system, but others find that their cruise control works intermittently. The system might work better in hot weather than in cold, or it might take several attempts before anything happens, but clearly things aren’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing.
The cruise control system in the Golf operates out of a small control module tucked behind the headlight control, and the malfunction most likely lies somewhere in this device. The lines could be poorly soldered to the module (requiring some delicate handiwork to correct), but just as likely the entire module needs replacing.
Locating the exact source of the problem poses no small difficulty to the average owner, and requires an ability to first check for damaged lines or solders. This is why trained VW repair shops exist, and making a short pit-stop at one will save you time, relieve you of stress, and get you back on the road and cruising away.
Search for a local, independent Volkswagen repair shop with Volkswagen mechanics that have dealer-level expertise at a fraction of the expense.