GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cruise control is a speed control system that maintains a desired vehicle speed under normal driving conditions at speeds above 40 km/h (25 mph). Steep grades may cause variations in the selected vehicle speeds.

The following are the main components of the Cruise Control System:

    • The brake pedal position (BPP) sensor
    • The clutch pedal position (CPP) switch, if equipped with a manual transmission
    • The cruise control switch
    • The electronic brake control module (EBCM)
    • The engine control module (ECM)
    • The throttle actuator control (TAC) motor
    • The vehicle speed sensor

Cruise Control Engaged

The Cruise Control System will engage and adjust vehicle speeds, based on the activation of the On/Off cruise control switch.

The engine control module (ECM) monitors the signal circuits of the cruise control switches The ECM uses the cruise control switch signal circuit in order to determine when to capture and maintain the vehicle speed. The ECM monitors the vehicle speed sensor signal circuit in order to maintain the vehicle speed. The ECM uses the throttle actuator control (TAC) motor in order control the vehicle speed. For further information on the TAC system, refer to Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System Description for the 2.8L engine or to Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System Description for the 3.6L engine or to Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System Description for the 6.0L engine.

Ignition voltage is supplied to the cruise control switch from the 10-ampere STRG CTLS fuse via the ignition 1 voltage circuit. The cruise control switches are arranged in a resistive ladder, with each cruise control function switch having a different resistance value. The ECM detects a specific voltage value that is associated with the cruise control function switch being activated. When the normally open cruise control On/Off switch is turned ON, the switch closes and the ECM detects a predetermined voltage signal on the cruise control switch signal circuit, indicating that the On/Off switch is active. Similarly, when the resume/accel button or the set/coast button are activated, the ECM detects the predetermined voltage signal on the cruise control switch signal circuit. To engage the Cruise Control System, turn the Cruise Control System ON by pressing the cruise On/Off button On and momentarily press the set/coast button. The ECM will confirm that the cruise control criteria has been met. The ECM will record the vehicle speed and sends a class 2 message to the instrument panel cluster in order to illuminate the cruise indicator. The set/coast button and the resume/accel button will remain inactive when the ECM has not received the predetermined voltage signal from the On/Off switch. Pressing the accelerator pedal, while the Cruise Control System is engaged, will allow the driver to override the Cruise Control System in order to accelerate the vehicle beyond the current set vehicle speed. When the accelerator pedal is released, the vehicle will decelerate and resume the current set vehicle speed. The driver can also override the current set vehicle speed via the set/coast button and the resume/accel button. When the Cruise Control System is engaged, pressing and holding the set/coast button will allow the vehicle to decelerate from the current set vehicle speed without deactivating the Cruise Control System. When the set/coast button is released, the ECM will record the vehicle speed and maintain the vehicle speed as the new set vehicle speed. When the Cruise Control System is engaged, momentarily pressing the set/coast button will allow the vehicle to decelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments for each time that the set/coast button is momentarily pressed, with a minimum vehicle speed of 37 km/h (23 mph). Activating and holding the resume/accel button, when the Cruise Control System is engaged, will allow the vehicle to accelerate to a greater vehicle speed than the current set vehicle speed. When the resume/accel button is released, the ECM will record the vehicle speed and maintain the vehicle speed as the new set vehicle speed. When the Cruise Control System is engaged, momentarily activating the resume/accel button will allow the vehicle to accelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments for each time that the resume/accel button is momentarily activated, with the maximum acceleration total of 16 km/h (10 mph) over the current set vehicle speed . Momentarily activating the resume/accel button, after the Cruise Control System has been disengaged by pressing the brake pedal, will recall the previous set vehicle speed that is recorded in the ECM.

Cruise Control Disengaged

The engine control module (ECM) disengages the cruise control operation based on the signals from the following switches:

    • The brake pedal position (BPP) sensor
    • The clutch pedal position (CPP) switch, if equipped
    • The cruise control On/Off switch

The BPP sensor is mounted on the brake pedal bracket. Pressing the brake pedal while the cruise control is engaged will disengage the Cruise Control System. The electronic brake control module (EBCM) monitors the brake pedal position sensor via the brake pedal position sensor signal circuit. The ECM receives a class 2 serial data message and detects a high voltage signal on stop lamp switch signal circuit from the EBCM indicating that the brake pedal has been pressed. For further information on the brake pedal position sensor, refer to Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation and Brake Pedal Position Sensor Calibration . When the clutch pedal is applied, the normally closed CCP switch opens and the ECM detects a low signal voltage on the CCP switch signal circuit. The vehicle speed stored in the memory of the ECM will be erased when the cruise control On/Off button is pressed, or the ignition switch is turned off.

The Cruise Control System will disengage when the ECM detects that a driver override function has been active for approximately 60 seconds.

When the Cruise Control System is disengaged, the ECM sends a class 2 message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) in order to deactivate the cruise indicator.

Cruise Control Inhibited

The engine control module (ECM) inhibits the cruise control operation when any of the following conditions exist:

    • A Cruise Control System related DTC has been set.
    • The vehicle speed is less than 40.2 km/h (25 mph).
    • The vehicle is in PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or 1st gear.
    • The engine RPM is too low.
    • The engine RPM is too high.
    • The vehicle speed is too high.
    • The system voltage is not between 9-16 volts.
    • The antilock brake system/traction control system is active for more than 2 seconds