Cruise Control Module

Module Location[]

1992 → 1995[]

There are 2 possible modules located under the dash above the glove box. One is a smallish silver box towards the left (driver's side) that appears to have no writing on the top (hard to see). The other is a larger black box towards the passenger's side with lots of writing on top - EAP 191 959 875 made in Germany 12V etc. The part number of the cruise control module is 5GA-004-397-01.

The cruise control module is the small silver box above the glove box. It is said to be almost impossible to access. The trick is to remove two bolts with a 10mm wrench that hold the shelf the glove box is mounted on.

Refer to this article for repair tips for this older module:

☀https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-s6-c5-platform-discussion-7/definitive-solution-repair-cruise-control-module-5ga-004-397-16-a-1728645/

1997 → 2001[]

The Cruise Control Module is located under the right side passenger AC vent. Photos in this article illustrate the 1997 → 2001 configuration.

PryLouvres — The louvers for the vent can be pryed out by lifting the outboard side first. It might be better to design a tool to reach into the louver and lift both sides out evenly.

VentScrew — A single screw and two tabs secure the vent. This is a number 2 phillips.

VentTabs — Two tabs at the top of the vent have to be pried down.

VentDuct — The final length of plastic vent duct must be removed.

ModuleInside — Module is underneath the duct.

ModuleScrew — Two screws secure the Cruise Control Module. Use a number 3 phillips bit.

SocketExtension — Reinstalling the vent duct requires pressing it over another section of duct. Put a rod, like a socket extension, across the throat of the duct, reach under the dash to grab the earlier section of duct, and push it on.

VW Cruise Control Module sss — Cut out left mounting hole to make for an easier install, allowing you to start the left screw and then slipping the module tab under the started screw.

Module Reliability[]

There are many components in the Cruise Control system, any of which can fail. The reliability of the Cruise Control Module, however, appears to be rather low. As such, in the absence of exhaustive testing, a rational first step in approaching a cruise control problem would be to have the Module repaired or replaced, and if that doesn't address the problem, proceed accordingly. This [vwforum thread] describes the experience of one individual who pulled several Modules from cars in salvage yards and found that virtually 100% of them had failed. Another posting within that thread goes into detail about how to test a module. This video goes through the process of electrical testing on the whole system (on a 1994 Jetta).

Module Removal[]

Follow the directions in the captions of the photographs in this article to access and remove the Cruise Control Module.

(If you're having trouble with removing or replacing the screws, or reattaching the vent, you can remove the speaker directly above the vent. Use a plastic pry tool to first remove the speaker grill, then the speaker itself. This will allow for greater access and maneuverability to the screws and to the ductwork.)

Module Repair or Replacement[]

There are at least three options for dealing with a malfunctioning module.

Purchase a replacement module. This can be very expensive.
Send your module to a re-builder. [Module Master] in Idaho is one such re-builder. Module Master replaces all the old solder with stronger solder and replaces weak components. There are also re-builders on EBay.
Open the module and repair the solder joints yourself. There is a video here of a DIY for this.

This [audiworld forum thread] illustrates the contacts to re-solder inside the module if you want to try it yourself. Others have found they ultimately had to re-solder every joint. (My 2000 Eurovan has a two sided PCB inside, without any bad solder joints. It is unclear when the design change to a better circuit board was made).