Hello from a new member to the site. I have recently purchased a 2001 D2 SE. The previous owner did some maintenance, but let a few things go. I, like many out there, like things to work as they were intended. Which brings me to the cruise control. I have read many posts regarding this issue (thank you Land Rover Forums). I have started diagnosing with the easy things first. I have checked all hoses, and all are intact with no cracking or tears. I have checked the bellow by unplugging the hose, and putting my finger over the nipple. The bellow does hold a vacuum. I was able to use jumper cables to the vacuum pump. The pump ran. Here's my question regarding the pump, since the pump appears to be running, should the bellow, for a lack of a better word, retract (if that makes sense)? Thanks for any information.

 

Hi Blue bomber, welcome to the forum. You've found the right place! Pretty active, and fewer nutjobs than elsewhere.

I can't diagnose your truck from here (where are you?), but I can share my experience.

I've owned Redrover for 22+ years, but I don't drive her much anymore.

A couple years ago, I noticed the cruise control was very weak. I replaced the inexpensive vac hose but that was no bueno. Always start with the least expensive, most simple solution.

New, replacement vac pumps are expensive, so I deduced to try a new acuator (vac diaphragm) next. $125 from an Amazon seller. Still no bueno.

New vac pumps are expensive, so I decided to take a risk on a used one. DIIs are getting very scarce in the boneyards here, but there happened to be one at the LKQ.

For $35 and a little of my time, the cruise control is again STRONG!

 

You are pulling the little switch on the steering wheel TOWARDS you when activating the cruise, right? And the autobahn switch on the binnacle is depressed and lit?

 

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it. Just trying to figure out if the pump is bad. I’m in California, and you’re not kidding about the gas!

 

Yes, pulling the switch towards me.. and the switch is depressed and lit. I recently replaced the cruise control switch on the steering wheel and the volume switch as both were missing pieces. Thanks

 

Doublecheck your vacuum hoses first, join the local cal rover club and ask one of the members to borrow their pump for a test. Or buy one off of ebay and return it if it does not work. 9 out of 10 times is the pump.

 

Thanks Extinct. Good ideas. In theory, would a properly functioning vacuum pump retract the bellow using jumper wires?

 

Yes of course, or to test the bellows you can push it in and cap the vac line and it should hold.

 

Thanks for all the info. My buddy has an 03, I’ll grab his and check. Until then, I’ll start the search for a used one.

 

And of course, check to make sure that the throttle cable turns the pivot on the throttle body when you compress the bellows.