Modify cruise control?

The cruise control on the Vic works... Sometimes. I have reason to believe it's the clock spring, and those are expensive. Like almost miata oil pressure sender expensive.

Since it just has button controls on the steering wheel, I'm thinking it's just wires. Wires can be moved.

I was originally thinking a toggle switch for on/off/set, but realized holding down the "set" button increases the speed.

Would it be a bad idea, or even possible, to just put in a momentary switch somewhere else, like next to the horn and trunk buttons on the dash, to set the cruise control speed? Maybe an On/Off switch next to it.

I really don't use cruise control in every day life. People drive like idiots and no one can hold a steady speed. But there is that loong ride down to the challenge coming in October, and cruise control would be nice for that, especially through Virginia and other states that will take you to jail for speeding.

Should be doable as long as you have the correct number and type of switches. Would need a double throw momentary contact switch for Set/Resume and an On/Off. Don't know if On/Off should be standard single pole or momentary contact. My Subaru has an On/Off and a Cancel button in addition to the Set/Resume.

From a quick google search, it looks like the ECU measures resistance to determine which button is pressed, so it's more complicated than just hooking up a switch on the dashboard. You'd have to find out the resistance values and rig things up accordingly.

Yeah. What the guy above says, except when a clockspring fails, it generally stays failed.

Does it work better if you put your toe under the brake pedal and lift up?

I have to turn the steering wheel while holding the button. Enough that it does start to change lanes or hunt for the shoulder while you're setting the speed.

From what I'm seeing searching, I'm lucky my P71 has it working at all, seems some people need to change something in the computer to turn it on. Or changing something with FORScan, which until now I've never heard of but think I need to research.

I guess I can try pulling the wheel and spraying everything down with contact cleaner and checking wire connections. Maybe I'll get lucky

A big thanks for the wiring diagram. It might as well be hieroglyphics to me, but I know people that can translate it for me.

To piggyback on this...

It is possible to "tune" cruise control? Most modern system suck and can't hold better than +-2mph which is unacceptable.

Specifically for a 2012 Silverado.

Must be time to stop by the pick and pull, snag the buttons out of another car, and install them in the dash.

RevRico wrote: I have to turn the steering wheel while holding the button. Enough that it does start to change lanes or hunt for the shoulder while you're setting the speed. A big thanks for the wiring diagram. It might as well be hieroglyphics to me, but I know people that can translate it for me.

Sounds like a problem with the contacts in the column.

And based on the wiring diagram my ideas won't work.

How is anything on a p71 expensive? There's like 20 years of those things around... I would be hunting for used. The cabs at work that have cruise mostly work and that's saying a lot.

In bypassing the clockspring does that also bypass the hard turn/off safety as part of the cruise? That would make me nervous personally (I would do the lane change thing to make it turn on if that is the case.)