Here it is, with pics:

Basically this is a mod that short-circuits the Cruise control relay that requires you to turn on the toggle switch on your dash to the left of the steering column...

What you'll need:
1. A couple inches of 14-gauge wire (16 or 18 might work, but I didn't want to risk the wire melting)

2. A couple crimp-on flat spade connectors

What to do:

Attach the spade connectors to either end of your wire, like this:



Open up the relay box on the passenger side of the engine bay, you're looking for the slot that has ASCD (Automatic Speed Control (Device?):



Remove the ASCD relay from it's slot (a small flat-head screwdriver will help you with the clip that holds it in). Now insert your wire into the connection that is perpendicular to the other 3, and the connection opposite that, like this:




Put the cover back on the relay box and put your unused relay away, cuz you're done. Now the cruise control will be on whenever the car is on.

 

I've read how to do this b4. the pics are a good help! amazing how the little things like this are so useful.

 

Thanks! I think I'll try this tomorrow.

If you ever want to undo it, can you just take the wire out? Will it go back to normal?

 

Take the wire out & put the relay back.

 

My cruise control always stays on. Its like the switch is stuck or something.

 

Can I steal this for vqpower and put your name on it?

 

Yeah man no prob!

 

sweet! done..

http://www.vqpower.com/cruise.htm

 

I have a 99 and the relay is marked and in the same position, however it is one of the brown relays and the internal connections are positioned differently than the blue relay. Any ideas?

 

Ouch! Sorry bro, I can't help ya.

 

I did my Cruise relay a few months ago from the instructions below.

I have a 97 and the relay is located in front of the battery and is brown. For the brown relay jump terminals 3 & 5 and terminals 6 & 7.

Jim

These are courtesy of Daniel B Martin
Instructions for making the Nissan Cruise Control always "ready".

1) Open the hood. Locate Relay Box #1, the black relay box on the passenger's side of the engine compartment. Note the labels on the exterior top of the plastic relay box cover. Identify the position of the ASCD relay. ASCD = Automatic Speed Control Device. That's the Nissan name for Cruise Control.

2) Remove the relay box cover. This can be done with fingers but a screwdriver may help to release the latches at the leading and trailing end.

3) Identify the ASCD relay. It is a type 1M relay and is blue in color. Remove it. A small screwdriver will help to release the latch which holds it in place.

4) Fashion a jumper wire about 1 inch long. Crimp or solder a male spade lug at each end of the jumper.

5) Look at the terminals on the ASCD relay. There are four of them. Identify the load terminals, designated 3 and 5. These numbers are embossed in the plastic housing next to the terminals, but they are difficult to read. A magnifying lens may be helpful. You may also identify them by position. Note that three of the four terminals are parallel to each other. The terminal which is not parallel is number
5. Number 3 is the terminal most distant from number 5.

6) Plug the jumper into the female relay sockets corresponding to terminals
3 and 5.

7) Snap the relay box cover in place.

8) Close the hood.


This modification eliminates the need to use the dashboard Cruise Control switch. The dashboard switch light will be on whenever the ignition is on, indicating that the Cruise Control is "ready". All the other Cruise Control controls work in the usual way.

 

This did the trick on my 99.

Thanks Jim.

 

Is there a way to do this with a 3rd generation maxima?
I looked up at the black box on the driver side but there doesn't seem to be a relay for the cruise control.

Any thoughts on this