My 2002 Escape cruise control suddenly quit working. The fuse looks fine. The dash light comes on, not after the on button is pushed but after the set button is pushed. The light stays on but no cruise. The light goes out when the off button is pushed.

 

Yes that is how it works on my '03. You press the on button first, no dash light indicator until you press the "set" button, but mine works. Are you pressing the set button long enough to activate the cruise control. I find with mine you hold it down until you feel the gas pedal move down and then your speed is set.

I am not sure, and don't bet the house on this, but I think the cruise control mechanism operates on vacuum plus electrically, maybe some others can help you out on this. You just might want to check and see that all your vacuum hoses are tightly connected and also listen for vacuum leaks.