mysterious cruise control

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by marx404, Feb 3, 2008.

  1. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    I have already had the cruise control switch replaced a few months ago on my
    '07 ION.3 (manual). It is acting up again and works when the heck it feels
    like it. I have tried to notice a pattern, but it seems to have a mind of
    it's own. Sometimes it works, then sometimes it won't. Mostly, it will work
    for a few miles, then if I hit the brake or disable it, when I go to
    reenable it, it wont work at all again.

    I think I have a faulty steering wheel button switch again, or could it be
    something else? Is there a way to diagnose this? TIA.
     
    marx404, Feb 3, 2008
    #1
  2. marx404

    Oppie Guest

    A good (read 'very expensive') scan tool should be able to read the computer
    inputs that all the switches are connected to.
    iirc you should be able to enter a mode where you can press each switch -
    one at a time and see the result in the scanner.

    btw- the Ion as I recall has an electrically assisted steering. What happens
    with your front end alignment 'drifting' if you pull the fuse for the
    steering?

    Oppie
     
    Oppie, Feb 4, 2008
    #2
  3. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    Had both the shop and OnStar scan for codes(a nice feature) , none. Just
    brought the car in to the shop they said the cruise needed a software
    update, there is a TSB on it. I'll try it for a few days and let ya know.

    I haven't tried pulling the steering fuse. I attribute the drifting to the
    overly sensitive electronic steering and the condition of the crummy roads
    here. On a smooth road, my car will stay relatively straight. Never seen an
    ION that held a hands-free straight line for as long as an S-series,
    something to say about plain ol power fluid assisted steering.
    --
    marx404

     
    marx404, Feb 6, 2008
    #3
  4. marx404

    Gyzmologist Guest

    It's either the brake or clutch switch. There is a separate set of
    contacts for the cruise control on the brake switch. There is also a
    switch on the clutch to kill the starter and disengage cruise. If the
    contacts in either one of these are bad it will produce the random
    symptoms you describe.
     
    Gyzmologist, Feb 10, 2008
    #4
  5. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    thanks Gyz, I will bring it to the attention to my techs to check these
    things out.
     
    marx404, Feb 18, 2008
    #5
  6. marx404

    marx404 Guest

    Follow up to those following this post: Finally go the shop manager to ride
    in the car with me and watch the TechII OBD reader as I tried the cruise
    control. He found that the clutch switch was faulty and was causing the
    cruise to not stay set or reject the code to stay on. They have ordered the
    part, should get it Friday. All I could tell them was "told you so".
     
    marx404, Feb 19, 2008
    #6
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