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 vehicle 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 powertrain control module (PCM)
    • The On/Off switch
    • The Resume/Accel switch
    • The Set/Coast switch
    • The torque converter clutch (TCC) brake switch
    • The stop lamp switch
    • The cruise control module
    • The vehicle speed sensor

Cruise Control Engaged

The cruise control system will engage and adjust vehicle speed based on the activation of the following cruise control switches:

    • On/Off
    • Resume/Accel
    • Set/Coast

The cruise control switches are located on the multifunction/turn signal lever.

The cruise control module monitors the signal circuits of the cruise control switches in order to determine when to capture and maintain the selected vehicle speed. The cruise control module receives the vehicle speed signal from the PCM, via the vehicle speed signal circuit. The cruise control module is an electronic controller and an electric stepper motor. The electric controller monitors the vehicle speed and operates the electric stepper motor. The electric stepper motor moves a strap that is attached to the cruise control cable in order to move the throttle linkage. Voltage is supplied from the 15 ampere PCM IGN 1 fuse to the cruise control module via the ignition 1 voltage circuit.

Voltage is supplied from the 10 ampere IGN E fuse, to the cruise control switch via the ignition 1 voltage circuit. When the normally open cruise control On/Off switch is turned On, the switch closes and the cruise control module detects a high signal voltage on the cruise on switch signal circuit. When the normally open Set/Coast switched is pressed, the switch closes and the cruise control module detects a high signal voltage on the set/coast signal circuit. To engage the cruise control system, the On/Off switch must be On and the Set button momentarily pressed. The PCM will confirm that the cruise control enable criteria has been met. When the PCM determines that the cruise control enable criteria has been met, the PCM will open the normally grounded cruise control inhibit signal circuit. The cruise control module will provide a grounds to the cruise control engaged signal circuit to the PCM. The cruise control module will record the selected vehicle speed. 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 switch and the Resume/Accel switch. When the cruise control system is engaged, pressing and holding the Set/Coast switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate from the current set vehicle speed without deactivating the cruise control system. When the Set/Coast switch is released, the cruise control module 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 switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate at 1 MPH increments for each time that the Set/Coast is momentarily pressed, with a minimum vehicle speed of 23 MPH. When the normally open Resume/Accel switch is activated, the switch closes and the cruise control module detects a high signal voltage on the cruise control resume/accel switch signal circuit. Activating and holding the Resume/Accel 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 Resume/Accel switch is released, the cruise control module 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 switch will allow the vehicle to accelerate at 1 MPH increments for each time that the Resume/Accel switch is momentarily activated, with the maximum acceleration total of 10 MPH over the current set vehicle speed . Momentarily activating the Resume/Accel switch, 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 cruise control module.

Cruise Control Disengaged

The cruise control module disengages the cruise control operation based on the signals from the following switches:

    • The On/Off switch
    • The TCC/Brake Switch
    • The stop lamp switch

The TCC brake switch and the stop lamp switch are used to disengage the cruise control. The stop lamp and TCC brake switch are incorporated into an assembly and are mounted to the brake pedal bracket. When the brake pedal is pressed, the normally closed TCC/Brake switch opens and the normally open stop lamp switch closes. The cruise control module detects a low signal voltage on the TCC/Brake signal circuit and detects a high signal voltage on the stop lamp signal circuit. The vehicle speed stored in the memory of the cruise control module will be erased when the cruise control On/Off switch is turned Off, or the ignition switch is turned off.

Cruise Control Inhibited

The PCM inhibits the cruise control operation when any of the following conditions exist:

    • The vehicle is in PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or 1st gear.
    • The engine RPM is low.
    • The engine RPM is high.
    • The vehicle speed is high.
    • The system voltage is not between 9 volts and 16 volts.
    • The antilock brake system/traction control system is active for more than 2 seconds.

When the PCM detects a malfunction, or the cruise control criteria has not been met, the PCM grounds the cruise control inhibit signal circuit and the cruise control module detects a low signal voltage.