Faulty cruise control master switch or steering wheel/stalk switch (worn contacts, contamination); Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring or connectors in the cruise on/off signal circuit; Clock spring (spiral cable) fault on cars with steering wheel mounted controls; Faulty or misadjusted brake or clutch pedal switch that affects the cruise circuit; Blown fuse or poor power or earth supply to the cruise control circuit; Fault in the engine control module or body control module input circuit, or outdated software where the manufacturer has identified it as a cause.

P0565

Cruise Control On Signal.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Low severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
5: AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs
65: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0565 is the generic SAE J2012 code for a fault in the Cruise Control On Signal circuit. The engine or powertrain control module monitors the signal from the cruise control master switch or on/off input. It sets the code when that signal is missing, stuck, erratic or does not match what the module expects. How it is detected and wired varies by manufacturer and model.

Symptoms

Cruise control will not engage or set a speed
Cruise control cuts out unexpectedly or drops out over bumps
Cruise control indicator light on the dash does not come on, or stays on
Cruise control buttons on the steering wheel or stalk are unresponsive or intermittent
Warning light on the dash, in some cases with no other noticeable change in driveability

Possible causes

Faulty cruise control master switch or steering wheel/stalk switch (worn contacts, contamination)likely
Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring or connectors in the cruise on/off signal circuitlikely
Clock spring (spiral cable) fault on cars with steering wheel mounted controlspossible
Faulty or misadjusted brake or clutch pedal switch that affects the cruise circuitpossible
Blown fuse or poor power or earth supply to the cruise control circuitpossible
Fault in the engine control module or body control module input circuit, or outdated software where the manufacturer has identified it as a causerare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and note the freeze frame data, then check for related codes such as brake switch or vehicle speed faults
Check the cruise control fuse and look up the circuit in the wiring diagram for your model
Visually inspect the switch, stalk and wiring behind the steering wheel and in the engine bay for damage, water ingress or corrosion
Operate the cruise control switch while watching live data for the on/off signal status and check that it changes cleanly with each press
Check the brake and clutch pedal switches for correct operation and adjustment, as they often interact with the cruise circuit
Wiggle test the harness and connectors with live data showing to find intermittent faults
Test the switch with a multimeter for correct resistance or continuity in each position, using the manufacturer's specification
Check the supply, signal and earth at the control module connector, and check the clock spring if fitted, following model-specific procedures

How to fix

Replace the faulty cruise control switch or stalk assembly
Repair or replace damaged wiring and clean or replace corroded connectors
Replace the clock spring if testing shows it is faulty
Replace or adjust the brake or clutch pedal switch as required
Replace the blown fuse after finding and fixing the cause of the overload
Update or reprogram the control module software only if the manufacturer lists it as a fix, or replace the module if confirmed faulty

Can I keep driving?

Low severity

The car is normally safe to drive, as only the cruise control function is usually lost. Book it in for diagnosis at your convenience, but check that the brake lights work correctly if a brake switch is suspected.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.