2005 Subaru - Cruise Control - Pulsates on Downhill

[AL-B]

This post if for my brother-in-law ...

He has a 2005 Subaru and has noticed a change in the cruise control
behavior over past years' models.
It seems that when going down a hill, the system tries to NOT allow the
car to "free wheel", so it somehow 'brakes' the car (perhaps with the
transmission) to keep the speed as set. But, there is a competing
system that is trying to increase the speed and/or up-shift at the same
time.
Therefore, he is feeling a sort-of pulsing situation when going downhill
with one system trying to slow the car from running away and another
trying to speed it up to match the set speed a/o optimum gear.

Is anyone else realizing this situation?
If so, has your dealer been able to correct this issue?
If so, how?

Thanks!
Al B.

 

[CompUser]

This post if for my brother-in-law ...

He has a 2005 Subaru

Therefore, he is feeling a sort-of pulsing situation when going downhill

Nothing like that on my 04 WRX.

It's under warranty (unless he's done an awful
lot of miles), take it to the dealer.

 

[Googler]

I've had this since day 1 on my '03 Baja with 5-speed tranny. Very
annoying to say the least.

Jay M
Virginia, USA

 

[George Bame]

I've had a similar experience with my 03 Forester (AT). I find it's
directly related to steepness of the incline. When I'm on the coast (FLAT!)
or in rolling hills of central VA or NC the cruise control is perfect. Once
I hit the sharper hills several hundred miles inland, I take off the cruise
control as it tends to make throttle adjustments a little more abruptly than
I do manually.

George Bame
Norfolk, VA

 

[ave]

This post if for my brother-in-law ...

He has a 2005 Subaru and has noticed a change in the cruise control
behavior over past years' models.
It seems that when going down a hill, the system tries to NOT allow the
car to "free wheel", so it somehow 'brakes' the car (perhaps with the
transmission) to keep the speed as set. But, there is a competing
system that is trying to increase the speed and/or up-shift at the same
time.
Therefore, he is feeling a sort-of pulsing situation when going downhill
with one system trying to slow the car from running away and another
trying to speed it up to match the set speed a/o optimum gear.

Is anyone else realizing this situation?
If so, has your dealer been able to correct this issue?
If so, how?

Thanks!
Al B.

I had the same experience, loose connection of the gascable in the
controlunit.

A.F. Verzijl
the Netherlands

 

[AL-B]

This is a Legacy 2.5i Sedan ... with a 4-speed automatic.
The dealer cannot resolve the issue, there is no recall, and other models at
the dealership have this same issue.
One tech thinks an emissions system is tweaking for optimum performance,
competing with the cruise "braking" capability.

Stumped :-(

 

[AL-B]

No more cable ... it's drive by wire now.

I had the same experience, loose connection of the gascable in the
controlunit.

A.F. Verzijl
the Netherlands

 

[Ron Joiner]

No more cable ... it's drive by wire now.

ave wrote:

Normal behaviuor - live with it!

Ron

 

[Kurt C. Hack]

What you are experiencing is the engine braking caused by the cruise
control turning the fuel supply on and off. Perfectly normal for most
vehicles these days. Some just are a little better at it than others.

-Kurt

 

[AL-B]

It's typical behavior for this model, but it is far from "normal."

As for living with it ... will Subaru "live with" their customers going to
Honda, Toyota, etc.?

Here are more angry people posting the same exact issue to no solution from
Subaru thus far:
http://www.ultimatesubaru.com

 

[AL-B]

Ron,

"Normal" and "Typical" are two very different things.
Per this model and year (Legacy 05), it's typical.
Per cruise control behavior on downhills, it's NOT normal!

Here is another thread of dissatisfied Legacy '05 owners regarding the same
issue:
http://www.ultimatesubaru.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27345&highlight=legacy+cruise+control+problem

Al B

 

[hippo]

GM will probably step in and retrofit 2 speed Powerglides to all affected
vehicles .... Cheers