cruise control not working

I have a 2001 Jetta tdi and it has the cruise control selector on the windshield wiper arm but it never works. It looks the same as my 2004 Golf tdi setup which works fine. Does any body know if it is suppose to work and what has to be done to get it working.
Thanks

Bad brake light switch?

Do you have a vag-com? You can check to see what, exactly, is not working with it. Brake switch, clutch switch, or the cruse switch itself. If it's got the switch, it's suppose to work.

The cruise control unit can fail and not throw a CEL. They are about $80 from the VW dealer. Did one yesterday.

The units don't throw cels that I know of. However, with the vag-com you can test to see if it's doing it's job - it will report if it recognized the brake switch (by you steping on it) the clutch switch (ditto) and the various functions of the cruise switch. Using Vag, you should be able to find the problem before starting to throw parts at it.

You may want to check that brake light switch as Grady alluded to. I know of an instance that an individual with a NB had similar problems and it turned out it was linked to that switch. There apparently is a silent recall out for the switch. Check with your dealer and do some research here.