Cruise Control Description and Operation 3.8L
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 body control module (BCM) |
• | The cruise control cancel switch |
• | The cruise control on/off switch |
• | The powertrain control module (PCM) |
• | The + RES switch--The + RES switch is the equivalent to an accel/resume switch. |
• | The - SET switch--The - SET switch is the equivalent to a set/coast switch. |
• | The throttle actuator control (TAC) module |
• | The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) |
Cruise Control Engaged
The Cruise Control System will engage and adjust vehicle speeds, based on the activation of the following cruise control switches, which are located on the steering wheel:
The body control module (BCM) monitors the signal circuit of the cruise control switches. The BCM relays the cruise control switch status to the powertrain control module (PCM) via the GMLAN serial data circuit. The PCM uses the status of the cruise control
switch to determine when to capture and maintain the vehicle speed. The PCM monitors the vehicle speed signal circuit in order to determine the desired vehicle speed. The PCM uses the throttle actuator control (TAC) module and the TAC motor in order to maintain
the vehicle speed. For further information on the TAC system, refer to
Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System Description
.
Voltage is supplied to the cruise control switch via the steering wheel control switch reference voltage circuit supplied by the BCM. The cruise control function switches are arranged in a resistive ladder design, with each cruise control function switch
having a different resistance value. The BCM 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 BCM supplies
a ground to the cruise control switch ON indicator circuit as it becomes illuminated. The BCM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the PCM indicating that the on/off switch is active. Similarly, when the normally open + RES switch or the normally open - SET
switch are pressed, the switch closes and the BCM detects the predetermined voltage signal on the cruise control set/coast and resume/accel switch signal circuit. The BCM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the PCM indicating that the + RES switch or the - SET
switch is active. To engage the Cruise Control System, ensure that the vehicle speed is above 40.2 km/h (25 mph), turn the cruise On/Off switch ON and momentarily press the - SET switch. The PCM will engage the Cruise Control System
and record the vehicle speed. The PCM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) in order to illuminate the Cruise Engaged indicator in the IPC. The - SET switch and the + RES switch will remain inactive when
the BCM 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 switch and the + RES switch.
When the Cruise Control System is engaged, pressing and holding the - SET switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate from the current set vehicle speed without deactivating the Cruise Control System. When the - SET switch is released,
the PCM 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 switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph)
increments for each time that the - SET is momentarily pressed, with a minimum vehicle speed of 37 km/h (23 mph). Pressing and holding the + RES switch, 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 + RES switch is released, the PCM 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 + RES switch will allow the vehicle to accelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments for each time that the + RES switch is momentarily pressed, with the maximum acceleration total of 16 km/h (10 mph) over the
current set vehicle speed. Momentarily activating the + RES switch will recall the previous vehicle speed, after the cruise control system is disengaged by pressing the brake pedal or by activating the CANCEL switch.
Cruise Control Disengaged
The powertrain control module (PCM) disengages the cruise control operation based on the signals from the following switches:
• | The brake pedal position (BPP) sensor |
• | The cruise control cancel switch |
• | The cruise control on/off switch |
The body control module (BCM) determines when the cruise control cancel switch is activated. When the normally open cancel switch is closed, the BCM detects the predetermined voltage signal on the cruise control function switch circuit. The BCM sends a
GMLAN serial data message to the PCM in order to disengage the cruise control system.
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 body control module (BCM) monitors the BPP sensor via the BPP sensor signal circuit as the
voltage signal increases while the pedal reaches the fully applied position. The BCM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the PCM indicating the position of the brake pedal. For further information on the BPP sensor, refer to
Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation
and
Brake Pedal Position Sensor Calibration
.
The Cruise Control System will disengage when the cruise control on/off switch is switched OFF.
The Cruise Control System will disengage when the PCM detects that a driver override function has been active for approximately 60 seconds.
When the Cruise Control System has been disengaged, the PCM sends a GMLAN serial message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) in order to turn OFF the Cruise Engaged indicator.
The vehicle speed stored in the memory of the PCM will be erased when the cruise control on/off button is turned OFF, or the ignition switch is turned OFF.
Cruise Control Inhibited
The powertrain control module (PCM) inhibits the cruise control operation when any of the following conditions exist:
• | The PCM has not detected a brake pedal activation from the body control module (BCM). |
• | A Cruise Control System DTC has been set. |
• | The vehicle speed is less than 40.2 km/h (25 mph). |
• | The vehicle speed is too high. |
• | The vehicle is in PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or 1st gear. |
• | The engine RPM is too low. |
• | The engine RPM is too high. |
• | The system voltage is not between 9-16 volts. |
• | The Antilock Brake System (ABS)/Traction Control System (TCS) is active for more than 2 seconds. |
Cruise Control Description and Operation 4.6L
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 body control module (BCM) |
• | The cruise control cancel switch |
• | The cruise control on/off switch |
• | The engine control module (ECM) |
| The + RES switch is the equivalent to an accel/resume switch. |
| The - SET switch is the equivalent to a set/coast switch. |
• | The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) |
Cruise Control Engaged
The Cruise Control System will engage and adjust vehicle speeds, based on the activation of the following cruise control switches, which are located on the steering wheel:
The body control module (BCM) monitors the signal circuit of the cruise control switches. The BCM relays the cruise control switch status to the engine control module (ECM) via the GMLAN serial data circuit. The ECM uses the status of the cruise control
switch to determine when to capture and maintain the vehicle speed. The ECM monitors the vehicle speed signal circuit in order to determine the desired vehicle speed. The ECM uses the TAC motor in order to maintain the vehicle speed. For further information
on the TAC System, refer to
Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System Description
.
Voltage is supplied to the cruise control switch via the steering wheel control switch reference voltage circuit supplied by the BCM. The cruise control function switches are arranged in a resistive ladder design, with each cruise control function switch
having a different resistance value. The BCM 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 BCM supplies
a ground to the cruise control switch ON indicator circuit as it becomes illuminated. The BCM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the ECM indicating that the on/off switch is active. Similarly, when the normally open + RES switch or the normally open - SET
switch are pressed, the switch closes and the BCM detects the predetermined voltage signal on the cruise control set/coast and resume/accel switch signal circuit. The BCM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the ECM indicating that the + RES switch or
the - SET switch is active. To engage the Cruise Control System, ensure that the vehicle speed is above 40.2 km/h (25 mph), turn the cruise On/Off switch ON and momentarily press the - SET switch. The ECM will engage the
Cruise Control System and record the vehicle speed. The ECM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) in order to illuminate the Cruise Engaged indicator in the IPC. The - SET switch and the + RES switch will
remain inactive when the BCM 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 switch and the
+ RES switch. When the Cruise Control System is engaged, pressing and holding the - SET switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate from the current set vehicle speed without deactivating the Cruise Control System. When the - SET
switch 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 switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate at 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) increments for each time that the - SET is momentarily pressed, with a minimum vehicle speed of 37 km/h (23 mph). Pressing and holding the + RES switch, 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 + RES switch 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 + RES switch will allow the vehicle to accelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments for each time that the + RES switch is momentarily pressed, with the maximum acceleration total of 16 km/h (10 mph)
over the current set vehicle speed. Momentarily activating the + RES switch will recall the previous vehicle speed, after the cruise control system is disengaged by pressing the brake pedal or by activating the CANCEL switch.
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 cruise control cancel switch |
• | The cruise control on/off switch |
The body control module (BCM) determines when the cruise control cancel switch is activated. When the normally open cancel switch is closed, the BCM detects the predetermined voltage signal on the cruise control function switch circuit. The BCM sends a
GMLAN serial data message to the ECM in order to disengage the cruise control system.
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 body control module (BCM) monitors the BPP sensor via the BPP sensor signal circuit as the
voltage signal increases while the pedal reaches the fully applied position. The BCM sends a GMLAN serial data message to the ECM indicating the position of the brake pedal. For further information on the BPP sensor, refer to
Exterior Lighting Systems Description and Operation
and to
Brake Pedal Position Sensor Calibration
.
The Cruise Control System will disengage when the cruise control on/off switch is switched 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 has been disengaged, the ECM sends a GMLAN serial message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) in order to turn OFF the Cruise Engaged indicator.
The vehicle speed stored in the memory of the ECM will be erased when the cruise control on/off button is turned OFF, or the ignition switch is turned OFF.
Cruise Control Inhibited
The engine control module (ECM) inhibits the cruise control operation when any of the following conditions exist:
• | The ECM has not detected a brake pedal activation from the body control module (BCM). |
• | A Cruise Control System DTC has been set. |
• | The vehicle speed is less than 40.2 km/h (25 mph). |
• | The vehicle speed is too high. |
• | The vehicle is in PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or 1st gear. |
• | The engine RPM is too low. |
• | The engine RPM is too high. |
• | The system voltage is not between 9-16 volts. |
• | The Antilock Brake System (ABS)/Traction Control System (TCS) is active for more than 2 seconds. |