The cruise control system is a speed control system used to maintain a desired vehicle speed under normal driving conditions. The cruise control system has the ability to cruise, coast, resume speed, accelerate, and tap-up and tap-down vehicle speed.
The following components are the main parts of the cruise control system:
• | The cruise control switches |
• | The cruise control module assembly |
• | The vehicle speed sensor |
• | The cruise control release |
• | The stop lamp switch assemblies |
• | The powertrain control module (PCM) |
The operation of the cruise control module is controlled by the cruise control switches, located on the cruise control actuator lever assembly. All of the cruise control functions are completed through this assembly.
The cruise control release and the stoplamp switch assemblies are provided to disengage the cruise control system. Depressing the brake pedal will electronically disengage the cruise control system. When the system is disabled in this way, the previously set cruise speed is stored in the cruise control module's memory. Subsequently depressing the resume switch will allow the vehicle to return to the previously set speed, provided the enabling criteria for cruise operation have been reached. The switch assemblies are mounted on the brake pedal bracket assembly.
The cruise control module assembly is mounted on the engine compartment cowl. The cruise control module assembly allows the cruise control system to obtain the desired vehicle speed. The cruise control module assembly consists of an electronic control module and an electric stepper motor. The control module uses a vehicle speed input from the PCM to determine how to adjust the electric stepper motor. The stepper motor moves a band and the throttle linkage in response to the control module in order to maintain the desired cruise speed.
The cruise control module and the PCM have a low speed limit which prevents the cruise control system from engaging below a speed of 25 mph (40 km/h). The PCM will not allow the cruise system to operate under certain conditions. When the cruise control system is enabled, the cruise control module signals the PCM to let the PCM know that the cruise control module is controlling the vehicle speed. The cruise control module is not serviceable.