Cruise Control Description and Operation: Notes

Cruise control is a speed control system that maintains a desired vehicle speed under normal driving conditions at speeds above 40 km/h (25 mph). Steep grades may cause variations in the selected vehicle speeds.

The following are the main components of the Cruise Control System:

• The accelerator pedal
• The brake pedal position (BPP) sensor
• The body control module (BCM)
• The cruise on/off switch
• The cruise control cancel switch
• The + RES switch (equivalent to resume/accelerate switch)
• The - SET switch (equivalent to set/coast switch)
• The engine control module (ECM)
• The throttle actuator control (TAC) motor (gasoline engines only)
• The vehicle speed sensor

The body control module (BCM) monitors the signal circuit of the cruise control switches, which are located on the steering wheel. The BCM relays the cruise control switch status to the engine control module (ECM) via the serial data circuit. The ECM uses the status of the cruise control switch to determine when to capture and maintain the vehicle speed. The ECM monitors the vehicle speed signal circuit in order to determine the desired vehicle speed.

Voltage is supplied to the cruise control switch via the steering wheel control switch reference voltage circuit supplied by the BCM. The cruise control function switches are arranged in a resistive ladder design, with each cruise control function switch having a different resistance value. The BCM detects a specific voltage value that is associated with the cruise control function switch being activated. The BCM sends a serial data message to the ECM indicating that the on/off switch is active. Similarly, when the normally open + RES switch or the normally open - SET switch are pressed, the switch closes and the BCM detects the predetermined voltage signal on the cruise control resume/accel and set/coast switch signal circuit. The BCM sends a serial data message to the ECM indicating that the + RES switch or the - SET switch is active.