2000 Outback cruise control

I'm not all that familiar with the subaru setup but I recall on older setups it was basically ran off a vacuum reading in the intake and would hold that setting by accelerating or letting off. I could be wrong. Anyway, you might check around on the legacy forums or nasioc and see what advice they have there.

no vacuum system, apparently all electronic on these models, thanks anyway

try fiddling around with the lever on the steering column every time I use mine i have to do this it is not very intuitive

So Kinker, you think there might be a weak contact or too much grease in between for correct communication? I guess it's plausible. SNB, you don't have a check engine light or any other warning lights on, right? I think some models won't allow cruise if there's an issue.

no engine lights, no errors, CC light is on and yellow... I think the switch on the wheel is faulty... trying to sort out how to take of the air bag so I can check it for dirt

I'd be cautious at the thought of messing with the airbag. I used to mess with one here and there but I think I got lucky that nothing happened. No guarantees that it won't explode. Anyway, you might have luck asking gurus on the real forums. Sometimes subie techs are on them and can help you the best.

i just have to mess with mine every time i use i am still not sure how you are supposed to use it but it works once i get it going and no i do not have any check engine lights on

Could this be a fuse problem or maybe the cruise control module failed on your car? After all, your car is 15 years old. Just how often do you need cruise control will dictate whether you want to get this fixed? Have you just let your mechanic diagnose what the electronic problem is?

My 2000 Outback cruise control (CC) was working intermittently and the switch arm seemed sticky. I turned the steering wheel so the CC arm was sticking straight up and sprayed a very little Walmart Supertech carb cleaner down into the hinge area of the arm. It must have dissolved the varnish or goo on the contacts because it worked perfectly immediately. Took about 2 minutes, hope this works for you.

Interesting way to do it. My foresters take a minute to work. I flick the switch up and down and try to get it to clean itself. Comes on after a minute or so. I use cruise maybe once every 3-5 years on them tho. Ymmv