Cruise Control Doesn't Work

ITSANSS · Post by **ITSANSS** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:42 pm

Hey, guys. This is what I have posted over at neons.org. Figured I'd let ya'll take a stab at it.

2003 Dodge Neon SXT
2.0 liter engine
Automatic transmission
7,600 miles

Just bought this car and I am trying to get everything in working order.

The cruise control doesn't work!

This car has been sitting since late 2003 early 2004.

I figured the vacuum lines were ate up by mice. The vacuum lines that are on top of the engine and easy to see look to be in great shape. However, in another post I saw something about cruise control vacuum lines on the driver side on the front of the car...?

I don't have a manual for this car, but from what I can tell, I am supposed to click the button on the end of the wand to turn the cruise on, then pull the wand downward to set the cruise. Clicking the button then pulling the wand down doesn't seem to do it nor does clicking and holding the button while pulling the wand down.

I haven't checked fuses yet, but I have a suspicion there is one for the cruise because the 'CRUISE' light to the left of the odometer doesn't come on when I press the button at the tip of the cruise wand.

The light DOES light up when the key is turn to 'Run', so the light does work. I saw some other posts that the 2005 SXT 'CRUISE' light didn't come on from factory and also that cruise control on Dodge vehicles are prone to quit working.

I will check for fuses and for any more vacuum lines tomorrow. In the meantime, any hints/tips/advice would be sincerely appreciated.

Thanks

Did not see any fuses that may be for the cruise control. Course, the diagram of what's what is written in code. I assume cruise would be 'Cruise' or 'CC' or something like that.

Also, re-checked the hoses up on top along with the wiring. All seem to be in good condition from a visual standpoint. Looked for any kind of vacuum hose near the front of the car, didn't see anything.

Please do not make me spend money and take it to a professional!

Thanks

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:46 pm

Good to see you over here.

I don't know a damn thing about the cruise system, but I'm sending you a PM that might help you.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:50 pm

I know the manual trans has a sensor on the clutch pedal that deactivates cruise control, maybe the auto has some sort of switch somewhere.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:29 pm

Donkeypuncher wrote:I know the manual trans has a sensor on the clutch pedal that deactivates cruise control, maybe the auto has some sort of switch somewhere.

The gear selector (sense) may have a switch that deactivates when in "N", possibly when in the 1/2 also. May only let it work in "D" or "3".

ITSANSS · Post by **ITSANSS** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:37 pm

Hmm, didn't think of that.

I will check service manual I just purchased to see if it goes that in-depth about the cruise control.

I will try to look in the transmission area for extra wires going to the cruise or some vacuum lines, too, if I do not see anything in the manual.

Thanks!

sneakers O'toole · Post by **sneakers O'toole** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:19 pm

when i had cruise, it wouldn't engage below like 55 or 50.. somethin like that.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:18 pm

Looking at the wiring diagrams there aren't any switches other than the ones in the steering wheel, and the brake lamp switch. The PCM controls everything else from inputs it recieves.

OPERATION
When speed control is activated 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 and release the SET switch while the vehicle
is moving at a speed between 25 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 (ATX) or
1st/2nd gear (MTX). The speed control can be disengaged
manually by:
² Stepping on the brake pedal
² Depressing the OFF switch
² Depressing the CANCEL switch.
² Depressing the clutch pedal
² Operating in 1st or 2nd gear (autostick, if
equipped)
NOTE: Turning the system off by 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 programmed
to disengage for any of the following conditions:
² An indication of Park or Neutral
² A rapid increase rpm (indicates that the clutch
has been disengaged)
² Excessive engine rpm (indicates that the transmission
may be in a low gear)
² 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)
² The speed signal decreases at a rate of 10 mph
per second (indicates that the vehicle may have
decelerated at an extremely high rate)
² If the actual speed is greater than 20 mph over
the set speed.
² Autostick shifts into 1st or 2nd gear (autostick,
if equipped)
Once the speed control has been disengaged,
depressing the RESUME switch when speed is
greater than 20 mph allows the vehicle to resume
control to the target 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 switch is released. The PCM also
has a 9tap-up9 feature in which target speed
increases by 2 mph for each momentary switch activation
of the ACCEL switch. The PCM also provides
a means to decelerate to a new lower target speed
without disengaging speed control. Depress and hold
the COAST switch until the desired speed is reached,
then release the switch.
The PCM also has a “Tap Down” feature in which
target speed decreases at 1 mph for each momentary
switch activation of the coast switch.
OPERATION - INTERACTIVE SPEED CONTROL
(4 Speed EATX Only)
Interactive means that communication between the
PCM and the TCM is taking place, this communication
is internal to the PCM on NGC vehicles. Interactive
speed control avoids unnecessary shifting for
smoother, quieter operation and when downshifts are
required, makes the shifts smoother.
CLIMBING A GRADE
DESCRIPTION
When climbing a grade the interactive speed control
tries to maintain the set speed by increasing the
throttle opening, while inhibiting/delaying downshifts.
OPERATION
If opening the throttle alone cannot maintain the
set speed and the vehicle speed drops more than
three mph below the set speed, the transmission will
downshift to third gear. If the vehicle continues to
lose speed, by more than 6 mph, the transmission
will downshift again to maintain the set speed. After
the vehicle encounters a less-steep grade, or has
crested the grade (reduced the load on the powertrain)
and can maintain the set speed at a reduced
throttle position, the transmission will upshift, as
appropriate, until the set speed can be maintained in
Overdrive.
GRADE HUNTING
DESCRIPTION
All vehicles equipped with a four speed automatic
transmission have a grade hunting feature for the
2nd to 3rd gear upshift and the 3rd to Overdrive
upshift.
OPERATION
The PCM on NGC vehicles identifies the powertrain
loading conditions and selects the proper gear
to maintain the current vehicle speed. Under moderate
loading conditions the transaxle will stay in 3rd
gear until the top of the grade is reached or the powertrain
loading is reduced.
If powertrain loading is severe, the transaxle may
shift into 2nd gear and remain there until powertrain
loading is reduced, then a 2nd to 3rd gear
upshift will be scheduled. Grade hunting features
8P - 2 SPEED CONTROL PL/SRT-4
SPEED CONTROL (Continued)
always operate regardless of whether or not the
interactive speed control is engaged. If the interactive
speed control is not engaged and powertrain
loading is not reduced, the driver may
have to completely lift off of the throttle before
an upshift will occur. If the driver does lift off the
throttle to induce an upshift under these conditions,
vehicle speed will reduce and the Overdrive to 3rd
and 3rd to 2nd gear downshifts will reoccur when the
throttle is reapplied. If grade hunting is repeatedly
induced by the driver, transaxle damage may result.
AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL OVERSPEED
REDUCTION
DESCRIPTION
Transmission control software includes an automatic
speed control overspeed reduction feature. This
maintains vehicle speed at the selected set point
when descending a grade.
OPERATION
The PCM on NGC vehicles first senses that the
speed control is set. If the set speed is exceeded by
more than 4 mph (6.5 km/hr) and the throttle is
closed, the PCM on NGC vehicles causes the transaxle
to downshift to THIRD gear. After downshifting,
the automatic speed control resumes normal operation.
To ensure that an upshift is appropriate after
the set speed is reached, the PCM on NGC vehicles
waits until the speed control system opens the throttle
at least 6 degrees before upshifting to OVERDRIVE
again.
If the driver applies the brakes, canceling automatic
speed control operation with the transaxle still
in THIRD gear, the PCM on NGC vehicles maintains
this gear until the driver opens the throttle at least 6
degrees to avoid an inappropriate upshift. The
upshift is also delayed for 2.5 seconds after reaching
the 6 degrees throttle opening in anticipation that
the driver might open the throttle enough to require
THIRD gear. This will avoid unnecessary and disturbing
transmission cycling. If the automatic speed
control RESUME feature is used after braking, the
upshift is delayed until the set speed is achieved to
reduce cycling and provide better response.
OPERATION - CHECKING FOR DIAGNOSTIC
CODES
When trying to verify a speed control system electronic
malfunction: Connect a DRBIIIt scan tool if
available to the data link connector. The connector is
located near the steering column, and at lower edge
of the dash panel.
A speed control malfunction may occur without a
diagnostic code being indicated.

The light in the cluster is grounded through the PCM via the PCI bus

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:42 am

Wait, autostick?

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:07 am

sneakers O'toole wrote:when i had cruise, it wouldn't engage below like 55 or 50.. somethin like that.

The cruise control should work from 25-80mph, at least on most dodge vehicles it should. Not sure if it works in 1st gear, but I know my avenger worked in 2nd gear and up as long as it was at least 25mph. Nothing like full throttle in 2nd using the cruise control, it just feels really awkward.

iskyfly · Post by **iskyfly** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:14 pm

Where is the cruise control "logic" stored?

I used to drive a Sabre and when going downhill in cruise control the speed would increase over the set limit but no downshifting would occur (even after going 10+ mph over).

With my 05 Neon downshifting occurs when going down hill. I kind of find this annoying.

Just wondering about differences in the "logic".

Thanks!