GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Aids

In order to avoid misdiagnosis:

    • Inspect for proper operation of the brake lamps.
    • Visually inspect all fuses relative to the cruise control system.
    • Inspect all connectors for poor terminal retention, corrosion or damage.
    • Inspect the throttle linkage/cable for mechanical binding.
    • Inspect cruise control cable adjustment.
    • EMI on the speed sensor signal circuit may cause erratic operation.

PCM Inhibit

The PCM will inhibit (not allow) cruise control if one or more of the following has occurred:

    • Park, reverse, neutral, or first gear is indicated by the Park/Neutral switch.
    • Certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) are stored. Refer to the appropriate DTC(s).
    • An over/undercharged battery condition exists.
    • Engine RPM is low.
    • Engine RPM is high (Fuel Cut-Off).

The Cruise Control Tester

When this Tester is used on some vehicles with high resistance or an open in the cruise control module ground circuit, the Tester's LED(s) will light abnormally. For example, the Brake/Clutch and VSS LED(s) will light normally but the Ignition LED will be dim with the ON/OFF switch in the OFF position. However, with the ON/OFF switch in the ON position only the VSS LED will light. If the above situation occurs, please check the ground circuit before continuing with your diagnosis.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you review the cruise control system operation and perform the necessary inspections?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Symptoms

2

Verify that the cruise control is inoperative or malfunctioning.

Does the cruise control operate normally?

--

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step  3

3

  1. Connect the J 42958 between the harness connector of the cruise control module and the cruise control module.
  2. Place the cruise control ON/OFF switch in the OFF position.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Is the IGNITION LED on the J 42958 illuminated?

--

Go to Step  4

Go to Step  21

4

Is the BRAKE/TCC LED on the J 42958 illuminated?

--

Go to Step  5

Go to Step  23

5

Is the BRAKE LIGHTS LED on the J 42958 OFF?

--

Go to Step  6

Go to Step  24

6

  1. Press and release the brake pedal.
  2. Press and release the clear switch (if equipped).
  3. Press and release the clutch pedal (if equipped).

Did the BRAKE/TCC LED turn OFF on the J 42958 when each step was performed?

--

Go to Step  7

Go to Step  26

7

Place the cruise control On/Off switch in the ON position. (Leave this switch on until instructed to turn the switch off.)

Did the ON/OFF and the INHIBIT/ENABLE LED on the J 42958 illuminate?

--

Go to Step  8

Go to Step  28

8

Is the CRUISE LAMP LED on the J 42958 illuminated?

--

Go to Step  9

Go to Step  29

9

Press and release the Set/Coast switch.

Did the SET/COAST LED on the J 42958 illuminate when the Set/Coast switch was pressed, and turn off when the Set/Coast switch was released?

--

Go to Step  10

Go to Step  31

10

Press and release the Resume/Accel switch.

Did the RESUME/ACC LED on the J 42958 illuminate when the Resume/Accel switch was pressed, and turn off when the Resume/Accel switch was released?

--

Go to Step  11

Go to Step  32

11

Perform the following sequence:

  1. Press and release the INHIBIT OVERRIDE button on the J 42958 .
  2. Press and release the BRAKE button on the tester.
  3. Press and release the S/C button on the tester.

Did the CRUISE ENGAGE LED illuminate continually after the S/C button was pressed and released?

--

Go to Step  12

Go to Step  21

12

  1. Observe the throttle lever at the throttle body.
  2. Press and hold the R/A button on the J 42958 for five seconds, and then release it.

Did the throttle move to near wide open, and then return approximately to half throttle when the R/A button on the J 42958 was released?

--

Go to Step  13

Go to Step  36

13

  1. Observe the throttle lever at the throttle body.
  2. Press and hold the S/C button on the J 42958 for five seconds, and then release it.

Did the throttle move toward closed throttle, and then return to approximately half throttle when the S/C button on the J 42958 was released?

--

Go to Step  14

Go to Step  36

14

  1. Press and release (tap) the R/A button the J 42958 three times.
  2. Press and release the BRAKE button on the J 42958 .

Did the CRUISE ENGAGE LED on the J 42958 turn off and the throttle return to the closed position?

--

Go to Step  15

Go to Step  36

15

  1. Raise and support the vehicle.
  2. Block one of the drive wheels.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Place the transaxle/transmission selector in Drive.
  5. Observe the VSS LED on J 42958 while rotating the drive wheel that is not blocked, by hand.
  6. Place the transaxle/transmission selector in park.

Did the VSS LED flash while the one drive wheel was rotated?

--

Go to Step  16

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 2.2L or Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.3L

16

Does the connector harness of the cruise control module have a wire connected to terminal H?

--

Go to Step  17

Go to Step  20

17

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Select Powertrain Special Functions and then Output Controls for Cruise Inhibit.

While observing the INHIBIT ENABLE LED of the J 42958 , use the scan tool in order to enable the cruise control.

Did the INHIBIT ENABLE LED on the J 42958 dim when the scan tool was used to enable cruise control.

--

Go to Step  18

Go to Step  33

18

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the J 42958 and reconnect the vehicle harness to the cruise control module.
  3. Road test the vehicle over 40 km/h (25 mph).
  4. Operate the cruise control.
  5. Use the scan tool in order to view the cruise inhibit status.

Does the scan tool display enabled above 40 km/h (25 mph)?

--

Go to Step  19

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 2.2L or Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls - 4.3L

19

Did the cruise control set and operate normally?

--

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step  36

20

  1. Reconnect all components.
  2. Road test vehicle and operate cruise control.

Does cruise control operate normally?

--

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step  36

21

Test for an open, high resistance or short to ground in the ignition voltage circuit of the cruise control module. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  22

22

Repair the high resistance or the open in the ground circuit of the cruise control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  36

23

Inspect the brake/TCC, clear and or clutch (if equipped) switch(s) for proper adjustment.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  25

24

Inspect the stop lamp switch for proper adjustment.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  27

25

Repair the open or the short to ground in the cruise release (cancel) input circuit of the cruise control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  34

26

Repair the short to voltage in the cruise release (cancel) switch input circuit of the cruise control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  34

27

Repair the open or high resistance in the stop lamp input circuit of the cruise control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  35

28

Repair the open or the short to ground in the cruise control ON/OFF input circuit of the cruise control module. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  37

29

Disconnect the J 42958 from the cruise control module, but leave the vehicle harness connected to the J 42958 .

Did the CRUISE LAMP LED remain OFF when the cruise control module was disconnected?

--

Go to Step  30

Go to Step  36

30

Test for an open or short to ground in the cruise engaged output circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  38

31

Test for an open or short to ground in the Set/Coast input circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  37

32

Test for an open or short to voltage in the Resume/Accel input circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  37

33

Test for an open or high resistance in the cruise inhibit circuit between the cruise control module and the PCM. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step  39

Go to Step  38

34

Replace the brake/TCC, clear and or clutch (if equipped) switch(s). Refer to Stop Lamp Switch Replacement in Hydraulic Brakes.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step  39

--

35

Replace the stop lamp switch. Refer to Stop Lamp Switch Replacement in Hydraulic Brakes.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step  39

--

36

Replace the cruise control module. Refer to Cruise Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step  39

--

37

Replace the multifunction switch. Refer to Multifunction, Turn Signal, and Hazard Switch Replacement - On Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step  39

--

38

Replace the PCM/VCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming in Engine Controls - 2.2L or VCM Replacement/Programming in Engine Controls - 4.3L.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step  39

--

39

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step  3