Cruise control kicks out

[Randall Banning]

I have a '00 Saturn SC2.

It's got this annoying problem that whenever I use the cruise control, lets
say I set it to 100 kph, and I hit a bump in the road, the cruise will cut
out momentarily. The speed drops to 95 then it re-engages on its own and
will go back up to 100.

It sounds like a poor electrical connection somewhere. It started doing this
about a year ago and is becoming more frequent. I'm worried that if a
connection is going bad, how many others in the same wiring harness will be
crapping out soon causing more serious concerns.

Does anyone know where I should look?

Thanks,
Randall

 

[Steve Barker]

You probably need to clean the slip rings behind the steering wheel. My '94
freaks out all the time and I bump (beat the $hit out of) the wheel with the
palm of my hand and it comes back to life.

 

[D V Brownell]

You probably need to clean the slip rings behind the steering wheel. My '94
freaks out all the time and I bump (beat the $hit out of) the wheel with the
palm of my hand and it comes back to life.

I'm not sure about the '00 but my '95 SW2 doesn't use slip rings for
electrical connections between the steering wheel and column. It has what I
have heard referred to as the "clock spring" because of how it looks inside.
There is a connector on the wheel side and column side one of those may be
loose or the "spring" is damaged. It's unlikely that it is unplugged
completely or your airbag light will not function as it should. (most likely
it will stay on all the time). Be sure to take the proper precautions
working around your steering column or you may end up with a used airbag.

 

[Randall Banning]

It never occurred to me the problem could be in the vicinity of the steering
wheel. It sure sounds easier than messing around under the hood or firewall.

Thanks for the advice guys.
Randall