Faulty cruise control switch assembly on the steering wheel (internal contact wear or contamination); Open or high-resistance wiring in the cruise control direction circuit, often at the clock spring connector; Damaged clock spring (spiral cable) inside the steering column causing intermittent or high-voltage signals; Corroded or loose electrical connectors at the PCM or steering column harness; Short to voltage on the cruise direction signal wire, possibly from chafed insulation; Failed PCM (rare, but possible if all other circuits test good)

DTC codes / Chrysler codes / P1583

P1583 · ChryslerCruise Direction Circuit High Volume

Q: What does code P1583 mean?

Cruise Direction Circuit High Volume. P1583 on Chrysler vehicles means the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a high-voltage condition on the cruise control direction circuit, which is the wiring that tells the PCM whether the driver is commanding accelerate, coast, resume, or set. The PCM monitors the voltage on this circuit and flags the code when the signal exceeds the expected range, indicating an open circuit, a short to voltage, or a faulty switch.

P1583 on Chrysler vehicles means the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a high-voltage condition on the cruise control direction circuit, which is the wiring that tells the PCM whether the driver is commanding accelerate, coast, resume, or set. The PCM monitors the voltage on this circuit and flags the code when the signal exceeds the expected range, indicating an open circuit, a short to voltage, or a faulty switch.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeChrysler specific

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs

Symptoms you may notice

Cruise control does not engage or drops out unexpectedly
Cruise control buttons on the steering wheel do not respond or respond intermittently
The cruise indicator light may flash or fail to illuminate
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is intermittent
Other steering wheel-mounted controls (horn, audio) may also act erratically if the clock spring is involved
The engine may run normally with no drivability complaints

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty cruise control switch assembly on the steering wheel (internal contact wear or contamination)
Open or high-resistance wiring in the cruise control direction circuit, often at the clock spring connector
Damaged clock spring (spiral cable) inside the steering column causing intermittent or high-voltage signals
Corroded or loose electrical connectors at the PCM or steering column harness
Short to voltage on the cruise direction signal wire, possibly from chafed insulation
Failed PCM (rare, but possible if all other circuits test good)

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules for stored codes and record freeze-frame data to confirm P1583 is active and not a history code
Inspect the cruise control switches and steering wheel wiring for obvious damage, sticking buttons, or contamination
Test the cruise control direction circuit for continuity and resistance between the switch and the PCM, looking for opens or high resistance
Check for a short to voltage on the signal wire by measuring voltage with the key on and the switch disconnected
Inspect the clock spring connector and wiring for corrosion, tightness, and proper pin fit; replace the clock spring if intermittent signals are found
If the circuit tests good, substitute a known-good cruise control switch assembly and retest
Clear the code and verify the repair by test-driving with cruise control engaged and monitoring live data for the direction signal

Clock Spring and Switch Traps on Chrysler Cruise Codes

A common misdiagnosis is replacing the PCM when the real problem is a worn clock spring that intermittently opens the direction circuit as the steering wheel turns.
The cruise control direction circuit often shares a ground or reference with other steering wheel controls, so a fault in the horn or audio buttons can set P1583 without any cruise control complaint.
High-volume in the definition refers to voltage, not sound; technicians who chase radio or speaker issues waste time because they misread the code description.
Aftermarket steering wheel covers or spilled liquids can contaminate the switch contacts and cause high resistance that mimics an open circuit.
On some Chrysler models, the cruise control switches are part of the airbag clock spring assembly, so a faulty clock spring can set P1583 and also disable the horn or set airbag codes.

Can I keep driving with P1583?

The vehicle remains safe to drive because the fault affects only cruise control functionality, but you should avoid using cruise control until the repair is completed to prevent unexpected disengagement or unintended acceleration commands. If the warning light is accompanied by other symptoms such as erratic engine behavior, have the vehicle inspected promptly.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Guidance is general and written for Chrysler vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.