OBD-II Code P0564 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

P0564 means the PCM detected a fault in the cruise control multi-function input circuit A. This circuit carries signals from the cruise control buttons on your steering wheel — set, resume, cancel, and speed adjust. The PCM monitors the voltage from these buttons to determine which one is pressed. A fault here usually means a stuck or failed cruise control button, a broken clock spring in the steering column, or a wiring issue.

Affected Models

2003 and newer vehicles with steering-wheel-mounted cruise control buttons
Ford F-150, Escape, Explorer, and Focus models with multi-function cruise controls
Chevrolet Silverado, Malibu, and Equinox with resistor-ladder steering wheel controls
Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles with steering wheel cruise control clusters
Most modern vehicles with multi-function cruise control buttons wired through the clock spring

Common Causes

Cruise control button on the steering wheel has failed or is stuck in a pressed position
Clock spring (steering column wiring coil) has failed or is damaged, breaking the signal path from the steering wheel buttons
Wiring harness from the clock spring to the PCM is damaged, corroded, or has a broken wire
Cruise control button module has water or dirt intrusion causing short circuits between adjacent buttons
PCM input circuit fault that cannot correctly read the multi-function input voltage from the button cluster

How to Fix It

Test the cruise control manually. While driving safely on a clear road, try to set cruise control and use all functions (resume, cancel, + and -). Note which buttons work and which do not — a single failed button points to a button fault, while no buttons working at all points to the clock spring or wiring.

Even if cruise control appears to work, the PCM may still have detected a range error from a button that sends incorrect voltage.
Check for related codes alongside P0564. Clock spring failure often triggers multiple codes — horn malfunction, airbag faults, and audio control errors may all appear together with P0564 if the clock spring has failed.

If multiple steering wheel controls have stopped working at once, the clock spring is the most likely cause.
Inspect the steering wheel cruise control buttons visually. Look for cracked, stuck, or damaged buttons. If one button appears depressed and will not spring back, it may be stuck closed and sending a constant signal that triggers the fault.

On some vehicles, carefully prying a stuck button back up and cleaning around it with contact cleaner can resolve this.
Check the clock spring connector under the steering column. Turn the steering wheel to straight ahead, then look under the column for the clock spring housing and connector. Inspect for loose connections or damage. Rotating the steering wheel fully left and right while monitoring the fault with a scan tool can confirm a clock spring break.

Never remove the steering wheel or clock spring without first disabling the airbag system per the service manual procedure.
If the clock spring is confirmed failed, have it replaced by a qualified technician who can safely handle the airbag system. If the clock spring tests good, test the wiring from the clock spring to the PCM for continuity and shorts.

After clock spring replacement, have the airbag system scanned and confirmed fault-free before driving normally.

When to Call a Professional

Clock spring replacement requires removing the steering wheel and airbag — this is a job for a trained technician. Working near the airbag system carries a risk of accidental deployment if handled incorrectly. Expect $150 to $400 for clock spring replacement including labor at a shop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a clock spring and why does it affect cruise control?

The clock spring is a coiled ribbon cable inside the steering column that maintains an electrical connection to the steering wheel while it turns. All steering wheel controls — cruise, horn, audio, airbag — pass through it. When it breaks, all those controls lose their connection to the vehicle's wiring. It is called a clock spring because it winds and unwinds like the spring in a mechanical clock.

Can I still drive with P0564?

Yes — cruise control is a convenience feature, not a safety-critical system. P0564 does not affect engine operation, transmission, or braking. You can drive normally, but have it diagnosed soon to understand whether the clock spring is involved — a broken clock spring also disconnects the horn and may affect the airbag.

How do resistor-ladder cruise control buttons work?

The PCM applies a reference voltage to the button circuit. Each button in the cluster connects a different resistor to ground, producing a unique voltage for each button press. The PCM identifies which button was pressed by reading the resulting voltage. A stuck or shorted button produces a constant or out-of-range voltage, which triggers P0564.