Deactivating Laser Cruise Control

[Ploobers]

I'm starting a 20,000 mile road trip in my 2006 Sienna, but I have an issue with my cruise control. After an accident, it gives me an E3 error anytime that I try to activate the cruise control. Reading here and on other websites, it seems like that is telling me that the laser adjustment system needs to be replaced / recalibrated. I don't have $2000 to spend on that.

The thing is that I've lived my whole life without having a computer automatically slow down my car, and I can live without it now. Is there a way to unhook or deactivate the "smart" laser system and just have my cruise control function in "dumb" mode where it just maintains a speed?

If not, what is the best route to get an aftermarket cruise control installed? I called a lot of local repair shops and they all told me to go talk to the dealer.

[MTeator]

What happens if you push on the stalk to turn off the laser guidance, does the regular mode work?

[Ploobers]

No. I've tried pushing it every which way, both quickly and holding it there for a long time, so I don't know what else to try.

[Ploobers]

I finally figured it out. When I go to turn on the cruise control while I'm driving, it tries to communicate with the laser and throws the whole cruise control into lockdown. If I turn it on while I'm stopped, or even while I'm going really slowly, and then change it to normal mode like has been suggested, I can use it just fine. It's not a perfect solution, but not a bad one. It just means that half the time when I get on the freeway, I have to pull over and stop so that I can activate the cruise control before starting again.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions!

[MTeator]

Good deal, thanks for posting your solution.