Hi everyone.i have a ford focus MK3 1.6 TDCI 2013 plate..the switches for the cruise control are there but for some apparent reason the cruise control doesn't work..it recently had the start stop feature disabled by fitting a new non stop start battery could this be the reason why the cruise control isn't working I've checked the fuses and they are ok any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated 

 

 

 

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Probably not the same as your issue but my buttons stopped working randomly whilst on my commute & the next time I drove it still wasn't working. About half way through the commute I decided to hit the bottom of the steering column & they started working again. Don't really know the correlation but I'm not complaining. Maybe I've got a loose connection but they've been no problem since. Probably happened about 6 weeks ago now.

 

 

Fitting a regular (non-start/stop) battery does not disable start/stop.

In fact, on a start/stop vehicle you cannot even replace the EFB start/stop battery with a regular battery without changing the configuration. A regular battery requires a different charging voltage and strategy from an EFB start/stop battery. 

Apart from that some engine types (mostly Diesel) have never been available without start/stop. On some of these vehicles disabling start/stop in the configuration does not change the charging voltage and strategy.

Also be aware that a Focus MK3/MK3.5 without start/stop also requires a specific type of battery (either Silver/Calcium or Calcium/Calcium). You cannot install just any type of regular lead/acid battery.


Installing a regular battery on a start/stop vehicle without changing the configuration will drastically reduce the life expectancy of the battery. I have seen regular batteries fail within weeks due to the incorrect charging voltage and strategy. An incorrect battery usually also results in severe electrical faults varying from warning messages to functionality being disabled.


 

Thank you both for the information I have only had the car for a few weeks and the seller told me that the start stop feature has been disabled how he did it I don't know but he did mention that he changed it for a standard battery so when I stop at lights or junctions it still ticks over without the engine stopping..my opinion of a stop start battery is that your starter motor will give up sooner than usual due to the attempted Start Stop ...I will hit under the steering wheel to see if my cruise control comes back to life and I'm also going to purchase a Duracell start stop battery to then see by doing so will then perhaps operate the cruise control cheers guys for your help and assistance kind regards David 

 

On 9/2/2025 at 3:55 PM, David Landry said:

Hi everyone.i have a ford focus MK3 1.6 TDCI 2013 plate..the switches for the cruise control are there but for some apparent reason the cruise control doesn't work..it recently had the start stop feature disabled by fitting a new non stop start battery could this be the reason why the cruise control isn't working I've checked the fuses and they are ok any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated 

 

 

 

I’ve had this issue with the cruise control not working, think it’s a connector problem in the steering wheel cowling.  I fixed mine by pulling the lever down for the steering wheel adjustment and then grab the wheel and move it around full motion in a circular fashion, in/out, up/down for about 1 minute ish.  I think it may be reconnecting tarnished connections, never had a problem since, I did read this elsewhere for the information. Let me know if works for you.