When speed control is selected by depressing the
ON switch, the PCM allows a set speed to be stored
in RAM for speed control. To store a set speed,
depress the SET switch while the vehicle is moving
at a speed between 30 and 85 mph. In order for the
speed control to engage, the brakes cannot be
applied, nor can the gear selector be indicating the
transmission is in Park or Neutral.
The speed control can be disengaged manually by:
• Stepping on the brake pedal
• Depressing the OFF switch
• Depressing the CANCEL switch.
NOTE: Depressing the OFF switch or turning off
the ignition switch will erase the set speed stored
in the PCM.
For added safety, the speed control system is pro-
grammed to disengaged for any of the following con-
ditions:
• An indication of Park or Neutral
• A rapid increase rpm (indicates that the clutch
has been disengaged)
• Excessive engine rpm (indicates that the trans-
mission may be in a low gear)
• The speed signal increases at a rate of 10 mph
per second (indicates that the co-efficient of friction
between the road surface and tires is extremely low)
• The speed signal decreases at a rate of 10 mph
per second (indicates that the vehicle may have
decelerated at an extremely high rate)
Once the speed control has been disengaged,
depressing the RESUME switch when speed is
greater than 25 mph restores the vehicle to the tar-
get speed that was stored in the PCM.
While the speed control is engaged, the driver can
increase the vehicle speed by depressing the ACCEL
switch. The new target speed is stored in the PCM
when the ACCEL is released. The PCM also has a
9tap-up9 feature in which vehicle speed increases at a
rate of approximately 2 mph for each momentary
switch activation of the ACCEL switch. The PCM
also provides a means to decelerate without disen-
gaging speed control. To decelerate from an existing
recorded target speed, depress and hold the COAST
switch until the desired speed is reached, then
release the switch.
The individual switches cannot be repaired. If one
switch fails, the entire switch module must be
replaced.
STOP LAMP SWITCH
Vehicles equipped with the speed control option use
a dual function stop lamp switch. The switch is
mounted on the brake pedal mounting bracket under
the instrument panel. The PCM monitors the state of
the dual function stop lamp switch. Refer to Group 5,
Brakes for more information on stop lamp switch ser-
vice and adjustment procedures.
SERVO CABLE
The speed control servo cable is connected between
the speed control vacuum servo diaphragm and the
throttle body control linkage. This cable causes the
throttle control linkage to open or close the throttle
valve in response to movement of the vacuum servo
diaphragm.
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE
The speed control electronic control circuitry is
integrated
into
the
Powertrain
Control
Module
(PCM). The PCM is located in the engine compart-
ment. The PCM speed control functions are moni-
tored by the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD). All OBD-
sensed systems are monitored by the PCM. Each
monitored circuit is assigned a Diagnostic Trouble
Code (DTC). The PCM will store a DTC in electronic
memory for any failure it detects. See On-Board
Diagnostic Tests in this group for more information.
The PCM cannot be repaired and must be replaced if
faulty.
USE THE DRB SCAN TOOL TO REPROGRAM
THE NEW PCM WITH THE VEHICLE’S ORIGI-
NAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) AND
THE ORGINAL VEHICLE’S MILEAGE. IF THIS
STEP IS NOT DONE A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE
CODE (DTC) MAY BE SET.
VACUUM RESERVOIR
The reservoir contains a one-way check valve to
trap engine vacuum in the reservoir. When engine
vacuum drops, as in climbing a grade while driving,
the reservoir supplies the vacuum needed to main-
tain proper speed control operation. The vacuum res-
ervoir cannot be repaired and must be replaced if
faulty.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
ROAD TEST
Perform a vehicle road test to verify reports of
speed control system malfunction. The road test
should include attention to the speedometer. Speed-
ometer operation should be smooth and without flut-
ter at all speeds.
Flutter in the speedometer indicates a problem
which might cause surging in the speed control sys-
tem. The cause of any speedometer problems should
be corrected before proceeding. Refer to Group 8E,
Instrument Panel and Gauges for speedometer diag-
nosis.
8H - 2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM
300M
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)