camaro cruise control not working

Cruise control don't work

Posted: May 24, 2017

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Cruise control doesn't working. ECS dont work.

Is this a good question?

@nune , Add more info. to your question year, make, model,engine, transmission and complete question so we here at ifixit can answer your question effectively. What have you tried or checked already.

May 24, 2017 by L Pfaff

the one i have is plug & play all i have do is plug every thing in and soldered one wire to Red Ignition wire. still don't work but I have green light when i push button to turn on.

Apr 1, 2018 by Ross Marino

I have a 2003 B 2300 Mazda in my cruise control does not work on it. Every once in a while it will. The ABS light comes on a light to! Do I need to check fusesAnd if I do where are they at

Jan 6, 2020 by Daryl Courson

Daryl, the wheel speed sensors are probably causing both issues. Have them tested and replace the bad one(s)

Jan 6, 2020 by hogdoctor

All you need to do is to take your foot off the gas pedal and step on the brake pedal while you’re driving all the way down only for one second; it will reset the cruise control and it will go back to work normal.

Apr 16, 2020 by Chicago Illinois

L Pfaff @lpfaff1

Rep: 101.2k

Posted: May 25, 2017

@nune , Jose, I will post some more or less generic/common reasons for cruise control to not function: Info found from links below.

Bad Fuse: Like many electronically controlled systems in your car, the cruise control has a corresponding fuse which will blow to protect the system if it senses a short circuit. When the fuse of for the cruise control blows, the cruise control will stop working altogether.

Failing Brake Pedal Switch: The brake pedal switch turns on the vehicles brake lights when it senses that the brake pedal has been pressed. Because cruise control systems have been designed to disengage when the brake pedal is pressed, the cruise control is wired to the brake pedal switch. If the brake pedal switch fails, the car may think the brakes are engaged and not allow the cruise control system to turn on.

Failing Speed Sensor: A speed sensor has many purposes including indicating the speed of the vehicle, regulating flow of fuel and ignition timing, and operating the cruise control. If the speed sensor fails the cruise control may stop working. You may also notice that the speedometer has stopped working and the engine has more difficulty when idling.

Damaged Vacuum Actuator/Hoses/Cable: On older vehicles, cruise control speed is maintained using a vacuum actuator and a cable connected to the throttle. A vehicle’s cruise control may stop working if the vacuum actuator has stopped working or if there is damage to the vacuum hoses. The system may also fail if the cable linking the actuator to the throttle is broken.

Check the links below for more troubleshooting of cruise control. Good luck. I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how...

https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/cr...

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/trouble...

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there got be be something else wrong

hogdoctor @hogdoctor

Posted: May 26, 2017

Check all your lights - if any of my brake light bulbs are blown, the cruise control won't engage. Weird but true.

yesssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nov 12, 2018 by bipi68

ebony_owen @ebonyowen

Posted: Aug 11, 2018

i’m guessing that you have a blown globe in one of your lights. I’m also guessing that the lights and cruise and other dash controls are all linked to the one fuse, therefore when a light blows out it breaks the circuit and stops anything else on that relay from working…

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5 Reasons Why Your Cruise Control Stopped Working

• Updated: March 15, 2023

It would be difficult to find a vehicle on the road today without cruise control. This invaluable feature makes driving long distances easier but can also cause trouble when it malfunctions. Understanding the reasons your cruise control stopped working ensures that you can get the problem fixed quickly for a more enjoyable ride. 

While this fault can cause issues with the cruise control system itself, there could also be an effect on the acceleration of your vehicle. That’s why you want to have it looked at as soon as you notice a problem. Let’s take a quick look at the reasons your cruise control may have stopped working.

Reasons Why Your Cruise Control Stopped Working

The most common reason a cruise control stops working is due to a blown fuse or a defective brake pedal switch . It can also be caused by issues with the throttle control system or the ABS. In older cruise control systems, it can be caused by a broken vacuum line.

Here is a more detailed list of the possible reasons your cruise control is not working:

1. Blown Fuse

All electrical systems in the vehicle are controlled by fuses. Your cruise control system is attached to a fuse that can blow if there is a short circuit or fault. Without a good fuse, the cruise control system can’t work at all.

Thankfully, it’s not difficult to find and replace a blown fuse. Look in the owner’s manual to find the fuse that corresponds with the cruise control technology. 

2. Defective Brake Pedal Switch

The brake pedal switch is responsible for turning the brake lights on and off based on the pedal position. Cruise control systems are designed to disengage whenever your brake pedal gets pressed. 

Because the cruise control is wired into the brake pedal switch, any fault can cause it to stop working. When the brake pedal switch malfunctions, the car believes the brakes are engaged, causing the system to turn off automatically. Not only that, but your car’s brake light might also be stuck on, leaving confused drivers in your wake. 

3. Malfunctioning Speed Sensor

Speed sensors are located on every wheel or differential. The purpose of these sensors is to monitor the speed of the wheels to determine if traction control is needed. 

The speed sensors are also part of the cruise control system. When a sensor fails, the cruise control can stop working and the speedometer might act strange as well. 

If there is an issue with a speed sensor, it will often show with an ABS warning light or a check engine light on the dashboard.

RELATED: 3 Symptoms of a Bad ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

4. Electrical Issues

The cruise control system is electronic, with many components working together to make the system operate. If the cruise control fails to work, you want to check the wiring harness and associated connectors for a fault.

You also need to ensure that the voltage source is supplying enough power to the system. Even the smallest fault can cause defects with the cruise control. In many cases, there can be an issue with the cruise control lever or buttons causing the cruise control to not engage.

If your cruise control buttons are located on the steering wheel it could also be caused by a bad clock spring, which is located behind the steering wheel.

Check the system with an OBD2 scanner to look for any trouble codes related to the cruise control.

RELATED: 5 Symptoms of a Broken Clock Spring, Location & Replacement Cost

5. Damaged Vacuum Actuator, Hoses or Cable (Older cruise control)

If you drive an older vehicle with cruise control, you might have an issue with the vacuum actuator or the cable that connects to the throttle. If there has been damage done to the vacuum hoses or the actuator, the cruise control will stop working altogether.

Additionally, the cable linking the actuator to the throttle must be in good shape. If it has been broken, the cruise control will fail. 

What is Cruise Control?

Cruise control is a feature that is used when you are traveling at a consistent speed. Cruise control was first introduced for automobiles in the 1950s. However, it took many years before it became a staple in the modern vehicle.

This electrical system allows you to set a predetermined speed and take your foot off of the gas pedal. If you are on a long drive, there is less fatigue because you don’t have to try to maintain your speed. Cruise control can also benefit fuel economy because the vehicle uses less fuel when traveling steadily. 

In newer cars, you might be able to find adaptive cruise control , which is a smart technology. Adaptive cruise control allows you to travel at a predetermined speed, but it also helps to maintain a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you with the help of sensors. With conventional cruise control, you need to take over when the car in front of you slows down, but that’s not the case with adaptive cruise control. 

There are also vehicles nowadays with not only cruise control, but fully self-driving vehicles . We will most likely see much more of this in the future.

Cruise Control Repair Cost

The cost to repair your cruise control system depends on what caused it to fail. If you need to replace a cruise control or brake switch, you might spend between $125 and $350, including parts and labor. However, the cost to change a fuse is only a few dollars and you can perform the replacement yourself in just a matter of seconds. 

On the other hand, when something major fails, such as the actuator, you could be looking at a much higher repair bill. In some vehicles, the cost to replace a cruise control actuator can cost more than $700. These costs rise if you drive a luxury vehicle or one that is difficult to get parts for. 

It might not seem immediately important for you to fix the broken cruise control, but this defective system can affect other performance aspects. You could start to notice issues with acceleration or have trouble with the speedometer. To play it safe, it’s always best to have the cruise control repaired as soon as you notice a problem.

Is there a fuse for the cruise control?

Yes. If the cruise control is installed from the factory, you should check your car’s owner’s manual for the fuse location. If it’s an aftermarket cruise control, you’ll need to follow the wires to find the fuse.

Does the brake switch affect the cruise control system?

Yes. The brake switch affects the cruise control system. The brake switch sends a signal to the cruise control system to let it know when the brakes are being applied for the engine to know when it should stop accelerating.

Will the cruise control work if the check engine light is on?

The cruise control function will be disabled when the check engine light is on in most car models, even if the cause of the check engine light is not the cruise control itself. This is mainly due to safety reasons.

Can a vacuum leak affect cruise control?

Older vehicles use vacuum to control the throttle for the cruise control, and in this case a vacuum leak can heavily affect the cruise control. However, modern cruise controls are fully electric and in most cases will not be affected by a vacuum leak if the check engine light is not illuminated.

Although many people may think that the cruise control system is unimportant and not worth spending money to repair, the problem can be caused by a faulty part that will affect the engine’s performance or durability. Therefore, it is best not to ignore the problem if your cruise control is not working without first diagnosing the car properly.

If your cruise control still isn’t working after trying all the tips in this article, it’s probably time to take it in for a professional opinion from a mechanic. It may be a more serious problem that requires replacement parts or repairs. In the meantime, drive safe and enjoy the open road!

Learn more:

• Brake Lights Not Working But Tail Lights Are? (How to Fix)
• Tail Lights Not Working But Brake Lights Are? (How to Fix)
• Brake Lights Stay On? (5 Causes & How to Fix it)

Categories: Electric , Troubleshooting

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89 iroc, broken cruise control

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i am a new owner of an 89 iroc with the L98 engine; this car is essentially in show condition, but the cruise control does not work. the car is totally stock and hasn't been micky-moused or hacked at all with anything aftermarket. can anyone give me any suggestions on diagnosing which component might be broken? i'm decent when it comes to electrical work and using an ohm/voltmeter, but i've no clue where to start testing. thanks in advance for any help you can offer in pointing me in a direction.  

I seen these with a vacuum line through the firewall to the brake pedal switch. Check this vacuum line close. Check fuse?  

Believe it or not most cruise controls are wired into the brake lights at one point or another. Something as simple as a light out to include the third brake light will render the cruise inop. Easy place to start. I know on my wife's '94 I got a ABS light and no cruise when my third brake light bulb burned out. Good luck. John  

Check to make sure that it is mechanically connected to the throttle linkage. Someone might not of re-connected it after a previous repair. This would be step one.  

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Chevy Camaro Speedometer Not Working: Causes + How to Fix

One of the most inconvenient things that can happen to your Chevy Camaro is when the speedometer stops working.  You don’t realize how much you look at the thing until it’s always sitting at 0 MPH while driving down the road.  

If your car’s speedometer is not working, it’s usually caused by an issue with the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) or the gauge itself.  The VSS is generally not very expensive and relatively easy to replace.

A bad vehicle speed sensor or faulty speedometer or the two leading causes of a speedometer not working.

Table of Contents:

How a Speedometer Works

• Speedometer Not Working Causes
• Diagnosing a Faulty Speedometer

Common Questions

Cable Driven (Obsolete)

Not so long ago, vehicles used a cable that usually ran from the transmission to the speedometer.  The cable turned and moved the speedometer. It was easy to diagnose why it wasn’t working.

All modern vehicles use an electronic speedometer. They’re more accurate and are pretty easy to diagnose.

Modern vehicles (like the Chevy Camaro) use a vehicle speed sensor that relays vehicle speed information to the ECM and the speedometer. 

The VSS is one part of a system of sensors that helps keep you safe (traction control, ABS, cruise control).

Speedometer Not Working Causes:  Chevy Camaro

Your Camaro’s speedometer takes information from the VSS and sends that data to the ECU.  The ECU is programmed with your Camaro’s gear ratios and stock tire height.  It combines this data to send the speed reading to the instrument cluster.  The causes of a bad speedometer will typically be found in these four things:

VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor)  

A faulty speed sensor will often be accompanied by a check engine light and trouble code. For example, P0500 (VSS circuit malfunction) is the most popular code related to the speedometer not working in the Chevy Camaro. 

Your car’s VSS does more than control the speedometer; it also helps to control the cruise control system and may even affect the way that the engine runs (some engines may stall when coming to a complete stop). 

If the service engine soon light is on, check the code with an OBDII scanner.  If you don’t have a scanner, take it to the local parts store and have them do a quick scan.

Bad Wiring (VSS)

Exposed wiring to or from the VSS can cause your Camaro’s speedometer to no longer work.  This will often manifest itself after driving through heavy water. 

Here’s a great guide on how to diagnose a wiring short in almost any vehicle

Malfunctioning Speedometer or Instrument Cluster

The odds of your Chevy Camaro’s speedometer going out all by itself while the rest of the gauges continue to work are not great.  Most of the time, if the speedometer is out, it means that there is a bigger problem with the entire instrument cluster.  

Do all of the other gauges work?  If yes, the problem is probably not in the speedometer but in the signal going to it.  Other gauges went out too?  Looking at the instrument panel is going to be where to start.

ECU (Not as Likely as the VSS or Speedometer)

Your Camaro’s Engine Control Unit (ECU) is the computer that takes all the information from the vehicle sensors and modules and uses it to keep the vehicle running and you safe.

If something is wrong with your car’s ECU, it may no longer be able to send the speed telemetry to the instrument panel.  This one is a possibility if there are no VSS-related trouble codes, but taking a look at the wiring would be a better place to go before taking a look at the ECU.

Diagnosing a Faulty Speedometer: Chevy Camaro

Keeping in mind that the two main issues causing your Chevy Camaro’s speedometer not to work are a broken speed sensor or speedometer, here’s how to determine which one is at fault.

1. Is the check engine light on?

If the check engine light is on, pull the codes if there are error codes related to the vehicle speed sensor.  The most common one is P0500 (VSS Malfunction), which indicates the VSS needs to be replaced.

2. Is the Odometer Working?

If your Chevy Camaro’s odometer is working normally, the VSS is working fine, which means the speedometer has likely failed.

3. Does Cruise Control Work?

Take your Camaro out and see if the cruise control still works.  If it does, that’s a good indication that the vehicle speed sensor is fine.  If cruise control isn’t working, the VSS is likely at fault.

After testing the cruise control, you want to move on to the VSS and the wiring going to and from it.

4. Use a Scanner to Determine if the VSS is Reporting any Speed

Plug a good scanner into the OBD II port. You can configure it to report the vehicle’s speed as reported by the VSS. If it says 0 MPH while driving, the VSS has likely caused your Chevy Camaro’s speedometer to stop working.

The video below shows exactly how to use a scanner to test the VSS.

How do you fix a broken speedometer?

There are dedicated instrument panel repair shops around most major metropolitan areas. They have the tools and experience to get the job done right and quickly.

How much does it cost to repair a speedometer that’s not working?

The repair cost for a speedometer that’s not working is usually between $150-$400 to repair the instrument panel. A VSS is generally under $100 for the part.

Can I still drive my Camaro with a broken speedometer?

It should be fine to drive your Camaro without the speedometer. If the VSS is bad and the engine is stalling at low speed, you may need to repair it right away. Otherwise, you’re just giving up knowing your car’s speed.

Several apps use your smartphone’s GPS to give you speed data until you can repair your Camaro’s speedometer. Speedbox is free and works great ( iOS , Android ).

Driving your Chevy Camaro without a working speedometer is not a breakdown risk.  We recommend using a speedometer app to keep tabs on your speed. They use the GPS built into your smartphone to give a very accurate speed reading.  You can throw it on your dash until you get it fixed.