GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cruise Control System Operation

The purpose of the cruise control system is to automatically maintain a vehicle speed set by the driver. When the cruise control is activated, speed is maintained or increased by means of an engine control module (ECM).

If driving conditions require sudden acceleration after the cruise control has been set, speed can be increased in the normal manner by manually pressing the accelerator. The cruise control is disengaged if the brakes (or clutch, with manual transaxle) are applied.

The minimum speed for setting the cruise control is 39 km/h (24 mph). When cruise control is operating, the CRUISE indicator lamp is on in the instrument cluster.

The 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.

Cruise Control Switch

After the main switch is turned on and the neutral position of the switch is detected by the cruise control actuator, the following operations can be performed by using the cruise control switch:

Set

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 when the minimum speed is 39 km/h (24 mph). The engine control module (ECM) will confirm that the cruise control criteria has been met. The ECM will record the vehicle speed and illuminate the cruise indicator. 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.

Coast

If the cruise control is turned off with the main switch, all cruise control functions are stopped. When the cruise control or ignition is turned off, the cruise control set speed memory is erased.

Accelerate

Activating and holding the RESUME/ACC 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/ACC 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/ACC button will allow the vehicle to accelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments for each time that the RESUME/ACC button is momentarily activated.

Resume

If the cruise control is on, and the system was disengaged by using the brake or clutch, exceeding the Maximum speed, failing to maintain the minimum speed, the last memorized speed can be reset by selecting the RESUME/ ACC button. Momentarily activating the RESUME/ACC 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. If the cruise control is turned off with the main switch, all cruise control functions are stopped. When the cruise control or ignition is turned off, the cruise control set speed memory is erased.