Cruise Control Problems
Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I would second MY 94Z on that, Rodney. At least the first place I > would check is the third brake light. > I had one of the two bulbs burned out in my third brake light once (95 > Lumina), and it manifested itself in all sorts of fun and interesting > weirdness, including a fast blinking directional and intermittent > cruise problems–cruise would work, then wouldn’t work, and my > favorite; the cruise would kick off when rolling down the highway and > using left turn signal (what kind of wacky system is that, anyway?!). > I didn’t get an owner’s manual with the vehicle, maybe it’s noted > somewhere… > Cost me $60+ for the dealer to find out it was the bulb and replace > it. Doh! Needless to say, I will check all of my bulbs/fuses first > from now on… >I had a 1986 Celebrity that acted similarly, but the cruise would only disengage >when the headlights were already on and then the driver turned on the windshield >wipers. Only thing I can think (other than that maybe Chevy decided that cruise >control in the rain was not a very wise idea anyway) is that the turn >signal/wiper/cruise switches were all on the same stem, and perhaps there was a >problem with the cruise circuitry in the switch not maintaining proper electrical >contact geometry when the wiper portion was moved. Cruise would not re-engage, >either, until the wipers were turned off. Didn’t act like this EVERY time I tried >it, but approximately 95% of the time, this happened.
GM designed many of their vehicles with the cruise control switches mounted to the turn signal stalk. Works well at first, but each time the turn signal is used, the cruise control wires rub up against the steering column housing. After a while, the insulation on the wires becomes chaffed and eventually the conductors inside the wire break.
Response:
I have had a couple of interesting problems with CC’s. Way back we owned an ‘87 CDV and after about 60K miles the CC would slowly "drop out" after a few miles. Before investing a couple of hundred $’s in a new replacement Power Vacuum Module I decided to disassemble it and take a look. Good thing. I found out what making it drop out. When you take it apart you will see that there is a very fine mesh-like air intake filter in a small round space. The theory is that the outside air required to control the speed system should be filtered so as not to clog the very fine valve. I found that the filtered had been contaminated with something(probably water) and had holes in it and wasn’t doing a very good job of filtereing the air. I removed it and decided to use a piece of the filter paper from a new oil filter. I cut a small segment and wound it around the center of the space and secured it with a homemade circular spring to keep the paper tight to the center piece. We traded this car with 185K miles and the CC never failed to work correctly and never "dropped out." BTW, the same problem came up with our "new" ‘91 Eldo after about 70K miles and I did the same thing. This car has 128K and has never failed, so far. Moral to this story? You can fix the CC Power Vacuum Module if you want rather than forking over a couple hundred $’s for a new one. Jack
Response:
How bout this problem: Right now I’ve got no cruise control… The cruise control/wiper knob on the turn signal/wiper lever wore out it’s little plastic teeth, twisted all the way around and twisted the C/C wires in two! Cost me 80 bucks to get a replacement, but now I gotta figure out how to do the replacement…. I’m kinda a novice at car repair… I assume this will entail removing the Steering Column Casing. I need some advice on how best to accomplish this. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> I would second MY 94Z on that, Rodney. At least the first place I >> would check is the third brake light. >> I had one of the two bulbs burned out in my third brake light once (95 >> Lumina), and it manifested itself in all sorts of fun and interesting >> weirdness, including a fast blinking directional and intermittent >> cruise problems–cruise would work, then wouldn’t work, and my >> favorite; the cruise would kick off when rolling down the highway and >> using left turn signal (what kind of wacky system is that, anyway?!). >> I didn’t get an owner’s manual with the vehicle, maybe it’s noted >> somewhere… >> Cost me $60+ for the dealer to find out it was the bulb and replace >> it. Doh! Needless to say, I will check all of my bulbs/fuses first >> from now on… >I had a 1986 Celebrity that acted similarly, but the cruise would only disengage >when the headlights were already on and then the driver turned on the windshield >wipers. Only thing I can think (other than that maybe Chevy decided that cruise >control in the rain was not a very wise idea anyway) is that the turn >signal/wiper/cruise switches were all on the same stem, and perhaps there was a >problem with the cruise circuitry in the switch not maintaining proper electrical >contact geometry when the wiper portion was moved. Cruise would not re-engage, >either, until the wipers were turned off. Didn’t act like this EVERY time I tried >it, but approximately 95% of the time, this happened. > GM designed many of their vehicles with the cruise control switches > mounted to the turn signal stalk. Works well at first, but each time > the turn signal is used, the cruise control wires rub up against the > steering column housing. After a while, the insulation on the wires > becomes chaffed and eventually the conductors inside the wire break.
Before you buy.
Response:
When I replaced the cruise control/wiper switch lever/turnsignal lever, I had to remove the steering wheel. The steering column housings on my GM vehicles are one piece. You will need a steering wheel puller and a lock plate remover. Each tool costs about $10-15. If you don’t want to buy the tools pay a shop to do the repair.
Response:
This is a piece of "cake". You don’t have to remove the steering wheel at all. 1) Remove trim under dash so as you can get to the steering column. 2) Put shift lever in LOW and place trun signal in right turn position. 3) If column is a tilt column, place column in UP psoition. 4) Locate the multi-function lever electrical connector and disconnect it. Should be a black ribbon cable with FLAT connector at end, runs down the outside, entire length of the steering column. Connector is towards the middle of the column. 5) Securely attach a length of wire to the pigtail (end of connector). This wire will entable you to pull the new wire back oppisite way the old wire came out. 6) Pull multi-function lever straight out of steering column. 7) Pull wire through so as the piece you attached earlier come out. 
Detach old connector from wire and secure new connector to wire. 9) Carefully thread new wiring into column. 10) Remove the wire you used for ease of installation, and connect the new pigtail to the existing connector. If you pull the old switch & wiring out without 1st using a length of wire to aid in snaking the wiring, you will need to remove steering wheel, lock plate, etc. I did it on my 90 chevy Astro, all thos GM columns are basically the same. It took about 10 minutes all together. Wheh! I picked my switch up at a flea market (new old stock) for $5. I suppose I did get a deal like the guy who sold it to me said. Mark in NJ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->How bout this problem: >Right now I’ve got no cruise control… The cruise control/wiper knob >on the turn signal/wiper lever wore out it’s little plastic teeth, >twisted all the way around and twisted the C/C wires in two! >Cost me 80 bucks to get a replacement, but now I gotta figure out how >to do the replacement…. I’m kinda a novice at car repair… I assume >this will entail removing the Steering Column Casing. >I need some advice on how best to accomplish this. > >> I would second MY 94Z on that, Rodney. At least the first place I > >> would check is the third brake light. > >> I had one of the two bulbs burned out in my third brake light once >(95 > >> Lumina), and it manifested itself in all sorts of fun and >interesting > >> weirdness, including a fast blinking directional and intermittent > >> cruise problems–cruise would work, then wouldn’t work, and my > >> favorite; the cruise would kick off when rolling down the highway >and > >> using left turn signal (what kind of wacky system is that, >anyway?!). > >> I didn’t get an owner’s manual with the vehicle, maybe it’s noted > >> somewhere… > >> Cost me $60+ for the dealer to find out it was the bulb and replace > >> it. Doh! Needless to say, I will check all of my bulbs/fuses >first > >> from now on… > >I had a 1986 Celebrity that acted similarly, but the cruise would >only disengage > >when the headlights were already on and then the driver turned on >the windshield > >wipers. Only thing I can think (other than that maybe Chevy decided >that cruise > >control in the rain was not a very wise idea anyway) is that the turn > >signal/wiper/cruise switches were all on the same stem, and perhaps >there was a > >problem with the cruise circuitry in the switch not maintaining >proper electrical > >contact geometry when the wiper portion was moved. Cruise would not >re-engage, > >either, until the wipers were turned off. Didn’t act like this >EVERY time I tried > >it, but approximately 95% of the time, this happened. > GM designed many of their vehicles with the cruise control switches > mounted to the turn signal stalk. Works well at first, but each time > the turn signal is used, the cruise control wires rub up against the > steering column housing. After a while, the insulation on the wires > becomes chaffed and eventually the conductors inside the wire break. >Before you buy.
Response:
According to the book for my Jimmy you have to remove the steering wheel so you can remove 2 or 3 screws from under it that hold the lever in… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This is a piece of "cake". You don’t have to remove the steering > wheel at all. > 1) Remove trim under dash so as you can get to the steering column. > 2) Put shift lever in LOW and place trun signal in right turn > position. > 3) If column is a tilt column, place column in UP psoition. > 4) Locate the multi-function lever electrical connector and disconnect > it. Should be a black ribbon cable with FLAT connector at end, runs > down the outside, entire length of the steering column. Connector is > towards the middle of the column. > 5) Securely attach a length of wire to the pigtail (end of connector). > This wire will entable you to pull the new wire back oppisite way the > old wire came out. > 6) Pull multi-function lever straight out of steering column. > 7) Pull wire through so as the piece you attached earlier come out. > Detach old connector from wire and secure new connector to wire. > 9) Carefully thread new wiring into column. > 10) Remove the wire you used for ease of installation, and connect the > new pigtail to the existing connector. > If you pull the old switch & wiring out without 1st using a length of > wire to aid in snaking the wiring, you will need to remove steering > wheel, lock plate, etc. > I did it on my 90 chevy Astro, all thos GM columns are basically the > same. It took about 10 minutes all together. > Wheh! I picked my switch up at a flea market (new old stock) for $5. > I suppose I did get a deal like the guy who sold it to me said. > Mark in NJ >How bout this problem: >Right now I’ve got no cruise control… The cruise control/wiper knob >on the turn signal/wiper lever wore out it’s little plastic teeth, >twisted all the way around and twisted the C/C wires in two! >Cost me 80 bucks to get a replacement, but now I gotta figure out how >to do the replacement…. I’m kinda a novice at car repair… I assume >this will entail removing the Steering Column Casing. >I need some advice on how best to accomplish this. >> >> I would second MY 94Z on that, Rodney. At least the first place I >> >> would check is the third brake light. >> >> I had one of the two bulbs burned out in my third brake light once >(95 >> >> Lumina), and it manifested itself in all sorts of fun and >interesting >> >> weirdness, including a fast blinking directional and intermittent >> >> cruise problems–cruise would work, then wouldn’t work, and my >> >> favorite; the cruise would kick off when rolling down the highway >and >> >> using left turn signal (what kind of wacky system is that, >anyway?!). >> >> I didn’t get an owner’s manual with the vehicle, maybe it’s noted >> >> somewhere… >> >> Cost me $60+ for the dealer to find out it was the bulb and replace >> >> it. Doh! Needless to say, I will check all of my bulbs/fuses >first >> >> from now on… >> >I had a 1986 Celebrity that acted similarly, but the cruise would >only disengage >> >when the headlights were already on and then the driver turned on >the windshield >> >wipers. Only thing I can think (other than that maybe Chevy decided >that cruise >> >control in the rain was not a very wise idea anyway) is that the turn >> >signal/wiper/cruise switches were all on the same stem, and perhaps >there was a >> >problem with the cruise circuitry in the switch not maintaining >proper electrical >> >contact geometry when the wiper portion was moved. Cruise would not >re-engage, >> >either, until the wipers were turned off. Didn’t act like this >EVERY time I tried >> >it, but approximately 95% of the time, this happened. >> GM designed many of their vehicles with the cruise control switches >> mounted to the turn signal stalk. Works well at first, but each time >> the turn signal is used, the cruise control wires rub up against the >> steering column housing. After a while, the insulation on the wires >> becomes chaffed and eventually the conductors inside the wire break. >Before you buy.
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Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I would second MY 94Z on that, Rodney. At least the first place I > would check is the third brake light. > I had one of the two bulbs burned out in my third brake light once (95 > Lumina), and it manifested itself in all sorts of fun and interesting > weirdness, including a fast blinking directional and intermittent > cruise problems–cruise would work, then wouldn’t work, and my > favorite; the cruise would kick off when rolling down the highway and > using left turn signal (what kind of wacky system is that, anyway?!). > I didn’t get an owner’s manual with the vehicle, maybe it’s noted > somewhere… > Cost me $60+ for the dealer to find out it was the bulb and replace > it. Doh! Needless to say, I will check all of my bulbs/fuses first > from now on… > Good Luck! > Brett
I had a 1986 Celebrity that acted similarly, but the cruise would only disengage when the headlights were already on and then the driver turned on the windshield wipers. Only thing I can think (other than that maybe Chevy decided that cruise control in the rain was not a very wise idea anyway) is that the turn signal/wiper/cruise switches were all on the same stem, and perhaps there was a problem with the cruise circuitry in the switch not maintaining proper electrical contact geometry when the wiper portion was moved. Cruise would not re-engage, either, until the wipers were turned off. Didn’t act like this EVERY time I tried it, but approximately 95% of the time, this happened.
Response:
I would second MY 94Z on that, Rodney. At least the first place I would check is the third brake light. I had one of the two bulbs burned out in my third brake light once (95 Lumina), and it manifested itself in all sorts of fun and interesting weirdness, including a fast blinking directional and intermittent cruise problems–cruise would work, then wouldn’t work, and my favorite; the cruise would kick off when rolling down the highway and using left turn signal (what kind of wacky system is that, anyway?!). I didn’t get an owner’s manual with the vehicle, maybe it’s noted somewhere… Cost me $60+ for the dealer to find out it was the bulb and replace it. Doh! Needless to say, I will check all of my bulbs/fuses first from now on… Good Luck! Brett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I have a 1988 GMC Safari V-6 Auto. >The cruise control does not work. I have no vacuum leaks. I checked >the fuses. The valve at the brake peddle is good. I change the vacuum >module at the throttle body. That is as far as I know. Please Help! >I have heard that some GM vehicles the cruise will not work if the third brake >light is blown. I don’t know it for a fact but it doesn’t hurt to look!
Response:
I have a 1988 GMC Safari V-6 Auto. The cruise control does not work. I have no vacuum leaks. I checked the fuses. The valve at the brake peddle is good. I change the vacuum module at the throttle body. That is as far as I know. Please Help!
Response:
>I have a 1988 GMC Safari V-6 Auto. >The cruise control does not work. I have no vacuum leaks. I checked >the fuses. The valve at the brake peddle is good. I change the vacuum >module at the throttle body. That is as far as I know. Please Help!
I have heard that some GM vehicles the cruise will not work if the third brake light is blown. I don’t know it for a fact but it doesn’t hurt to look!
