i have a 1998 dakota sport 3.9 auto with about 98,000 miles. it runs great and has taken all the abuse ive thrown at but i have one issue i cant seem to track down.
the cruise control does not work, no light on the dash, no error codes etc. the airbag/horn function as they should but i think the clockspring might be the culprit. money is a real issue so if this is something i can fix myself i need to, if i can get a clockspring dirt cheap somewhere i should be able to replace it. aside from that is it possible to relocate the buttons elsewhere? i figure if i could move the "set" button to a genaric one i put on the dash or end of the shift lever that would be fine as i do not need the others.
i have a hanes manual but it just states that the cruise is complicated and should be done by a professional which is not very helpful.
im mechanically inclined "just replaced the wheel seals, pinion bearings and seals today" so if i get some direction from someone familiar with the cruise system it would be helpful.

*edit solved* i had pulled the airbag off to check the resistances in the switch in the idea i was going to relocate them, cruise on/off was about 1100 ohms and "set" was 6500 ohms. once i had those numbers i pulled the cover off the steering column to measure the resistances after the clock spring. when i pulled the cover off i noticed 2 broken wires. after fixing the wires the cruise control works perfectly. they were broken where the wires flex from adjusting the steering wheel.

 

It's not as easy as relocating the controls. They are multiplexed, different resistances on only two wires, for all the functions. You'd have to find out what those values are.

You can get a clockspring from the boneyard. I did, on my 2000 when I put in cruise. I wasn't paying $300+ for one from the dealer.

But, it may not even be that. It could be the brake pedal switch. It's a common problem.

You did check the fuse, right?

 

yep checked the fuse, ill be taking my ohm meter outside to check the brake switch. just thumbing through the hanes manual now to see if i can get the diagram for that.
if i can figure out what 2 wires the resistance is across for the clockspring i should be able to see if i am getting resistances when the buttons are pressed rather then just a continuous open circuit.
fuse is good, horn works and i was unable to find any blown fuses.
*edit* brake switch seems to be good, pulled it off and measured the resistances across pins 1/2 3/4 5/6 and all have continuity in the correct positions.
i did manage to find a wiring diagram for the cruise control, seems the two wires that should have varied resistances are black/light blue and grey/light blue so ill be trying to track those two down.

 

Not sure on your '98 but there are several sets of contacts in the brake switch.

It's pins 3 and 4 (the middle two pins out of 6 total) on a 2000. Not sure about yours.

 

clockspring isnt actually that bad on these trucks. Dealer cost on item is $140, they are only ones ive found to carry the item. Calls for .9 hours labor... Remove screws holding airbag on, unplug wiring, (disconnect battery first, then let sit for 10 minutes before you touch it.) you'll need a steering wheel puller. Make sure wheels are pointed straight ahead, remove steering wheel using puller. This will expose the clock spring. pull tab to remove clock spring, insert new one... reverse order to reinstall...

 

Actually. . . Most dealer prices on a clock spring are about $279. I just had to buy one as I literally just replaced mine on Sunday.

Make sure wheels are pointed straight first. To remove the clockspring, You disconnect negative battery terminal (10mm) and wait at least 2 minutes. Remove the airbag with the two 8mm retaining bolts located behind the steering wheel. disconnect the Airbag power line with a Flathead screwdriver and the horn power wire. Set the Airbag aside. Unhook the Cruise/steering wheel controls from the clockspring. One of them has a simple push tab, the other requires you to push a small tab in with something to pull it out. Remove the 14MM steering wheel bolt, works best with a 1/2" drive wrench. Use a wheel puller to remove the steering wheel. The one I used required a 13mm socket. Remove 3 T20 screws that secure the upper and lower steering column shrouds together. Remove the tilt steering wheel ****. Remove the shrouds to expose the clockspring. Disconnect the main power supply lines from the bottom of the clockspring. Remove three Phillips screws that hold the clockspring on and remove the spring.

Installing is just a backwards process of these steps. It really is one of the easiest fixed I have ever done to be honest.