OBD-II Code P0587 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

P0587 means the cruise control vent solenoid control circuit has a low voltage reading. The engine control module tried to activate the vent solenoid but saw a lower voltage than expected. This is the low-side companion to P0588 (high). Cruise control is disabled, but the engine and braking are completely unaffected.

Affected Models

Vehicles 1996–2010 with vacuum-actuated cruise control
Common in older Ford trucks and SUVs
Common in GM vehicles with cable-operated throttle
Common in Chrysler vehicles with stand-alone cruise control modules
Uncommon on modern electronic throttle control vehicles

Common Causes

Short to ground in the cruise control vent solenoid control wire
Failed vent solenoid with an internal short to ground
Damaged wiring in the actuator harness touching vehicle ground
Corroded connector with moisture bridging the signal wire to ground
Faulty cruise control module with a failed output driver for the vent solenoid

How to Fix It

Check for companion codes. P0587 often appears with P0586 or P0582. Fix any companion codes first, as they may all share a common cause.

Multiple cruise control codes at once often point to a shared ground, fuse, or connector issue.
Inspect the cruise control actuator wiring harness in the engine bay. Look for areas where the harness could be rubbing on engine components or the chassis, wearing through the insulation.

Pay special attention to areas near the exhaust manifold or any sharp metal bracket edges.
Disconnect the cruise control actuator connector. Measure the resistance between the vent solenoid control wire and a known good ground. High resistance (over 1 megaohm) is normal. Near zero means a short to ground exists in the wire.

Perform this test with the actuator disconnected so you know whether the short is in the wiring or inside the actuator itself.
With the actuator still disconnected, measure resistance across the solenoid terminals inside the actuator connector. Near-zero resistance means the solenoid has an internal short to ground.

If the short is inside the actuator, the actuator assembly needs replacement — the solenoid is not separately serviceable on most units.
Repair any wiring shorts or replace the actuator as determined. Clear codes, reconnect everything, and test cruise control on a safe road to confirm normal operation.

After repair, verify the circuit with a multimeter before starting the engine to confirm the short is gone.

When to Call a Professional

A short to ground in an engine bay harness requires careful tracing. If you cannot identify the wiring fault, professional diagnosis is recommended. Expect one to two hours of labor at $80 to $120 per hour, plus parts if the actuator or wiring needs replacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a short to ground in car wiring?

A short to ground means a wire that should carry a voltage signal is accidentally touching the vehicle's metal body or another grounded component. This drains the signal voltage down to near zero, causing a low-circuit fault code like P0587. It is the opposite of a short to power.

Is P0587 related to my speedometer or odometer?

No. P0587 is purely a cruise control circuit code. Your speedometer, odometer, and transmission have nothing to do with this fault.

Can I reset P0587 without fixing it?

You can clear the code with a scan tool, but it will return as soon as the short to ground is detected again. The only permanent fix is to find and repair the wiring short or replace the faulty actuator. Clearing without fixing is only useful temporarily — for example, to check if the code was a one-time event.