VW · Audi · SEAT · Škoda · Cupra

Cruise control not working? It may be the squib

If cruise control has stopped working on your Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT or Škoda and the steering-wheel buttons are dead too, or the airbag light is on, the squib (clock spring) behind the wheel is the likely cause. The cruise switches sit on the wheel and lose their connection when it fails.

Find your car
Quick check

Is it the squib?

Horn and steering-wheel buttons have both stopped working

Almost always the squib (clock spring). Both run through the same ribbon behind the wheel.

Airbag warning light on, with or without a dead horn or buttons

Usually the squib on these cars. A scan of the airbag module confirms it (see below).

Cruise control unavailable and the steering-wheel buttons are dead

Very likely the squib. The cruise switches are on the wheel and lose their connection with it.

Only the horn is dead; buttons work and there is no airbag light

Check the horn fuse, relay, wiring and the horn itself first. The squib is possible but less likely.

What a scan typically shows

  • 00588 Airbag Igniter; Driver Side (N95): Resistance too HighOlder-style fault display, e.g. VCDS on earlier cars.
  • B1000 1B Driver airbag igniter: resistance too highNewer-style display; often shown as B10001B.
  • 01326 Control Module for Multi-Function Steering Wheel (J453): No Signal/CommunicationLost communication with the steering-wheel buttons module. Older-style display.
  • 00466 Control Module for Steering Column Electronics (J527): No Signal/CommunicationLost communication with the steering column module. Older-style display.
  • U0212 Lost Communication With Steering Column Control ModuleGeneric OBD-II code, as shown by many standard code readers.
  • Many basic OBD-II code readers cannot read the airbag module, so "no codes found" does not rule out the squib.
  • If a fault reads "short to positive" or "short to ground", do not clear it. Have the system checked first.
The cause

Why a failed squib causes this

On cars with cruise buttons on the steering wheel, those switches connect through the squib’s ribbon cable. When the ribbon breaks, the car stops receiving the cruise commands, so cruise drops out or cannot be set, usually alongside the other wheel buttons and the horn.

We repair the two VW Group squibs behind most of these faults: 5K0 953 569 repair and 5Q0 953 569 repair.

Not always the squib

Other causes to rule out

  • Brake light switch faults (a very common reason cruise will not engage)
  • A fault elsewhere in the engine or ABS systems that disables cruise
  • Cruise stalk faults on cars with a stalk rather than wheel buttons

The squib sits behind the driver airbag. If you remove it yourself, follow the manufacturer’s airbag safety procedure. If in doubt, drive in and we’ll do it for you.

Our process

How we repair it

01

Strip and inspect

We pinpoint the squib fault and confirm the root cause before any work begins.

02

Rebuild with OEM parts

Worn or snapped ribbon cables are replaced with OEM items using OEM repair methods — we never solder, as that only leads to short-lifespan fixes.

03

Test and verify

We test every squib for continuity and function before we send it back, backed by a 12-month workmanship warranty.

Find your car

Cars where this is common

Volkswagen

Golf cruise control not working

Mk6 / 5K · 2008–2013

Golf Plus cruise control not working

5M (facelift) · 2009–2014

Golf Cabriolet cruise control not working

1K / 5K · 2011–2016

Jetta cruise control not working

Mk6 / 1B · 2011–2018

Scirocco cruise control not working

Mk3 / 13 · 2008–2017

Tiguan cruise control not working

Mk1 / 5N · 2008–2016

Touran cruise control not working

Mk1 facelift / 1T3 · 2010–2015

Sharan cruise control not working

Mk2 / 7N · 2010–2022

Eos cruise control not working

1F (facelift) · 2011–2016

Beetle cruise control not working

A5 / 5C · 2011–2019

CC / Passat CC cruise control not working

35 (3C8) · 2012–2017

Passat (NMS) cruise control not working

US / China B7 · 2013–2019

Golf cruise control not working

Mk7 / 7.5 · 2012–2020

Golf Sportsvan cruise control not working

AM / AN · 2014–2020

Passat cruise control not working

B8 / 3G · 2014–2023

Arteon cruise control not working

3H · 2017–2023

Tiguan cruise control not working

Mk2 / AD · 2016–2024

Touran cruise control not working

Mk2 / 5T · 2015–2023

T-Roc cruise control not working

A1 / A11 · 2017–2024

Atlas / Teramont cruise control not working

CA · 2017–2023

Cruise control not working: FAQs

How do I know if my cruise control fault is the squib?+

If the other steering-wheel buttons and the horn have also stopped working, or the airbag light is on, it is very likely the squib. If cruise is the only problem, a brake light switch fault is a common alternative cause.

Can the clock spring be repaired, or does it need replacing?+

It can be repaired. We rebuild your original unit with a new OEM ribbon and bench-test it, with a 12-month workmanship warranty and no coding needed.

Squib failed? We'll fix it.

Post it in for same-day dispatch and next-day return, drive in near Heathrow, or we'll come to you.