Gday all.

Recently I seem to have an issue with my cruise control - plain and simply it does not engage. The green light comes on but there is no response when I push down the level to engage.

What do I look for?
Where do I look for it?

I did change the spark plugs a little while ago and never tested the cruise control so could I have maybe disconnected something around the throttle body?

On a side note - it probably isn't relavant - but I've lost the gold cap ontop of the throttle body (so some black speaker looking thing is exposed) - surely that wouldn't cause the issue right?

Cheers for all the help - really appreciate it.

The cruise control is vacuum based and I -think- what you are talking about is part of that system so most likely, yes.

other than that check the vacuum lines are hooked to the correct spot.

Cheers for the response.


The cruise control is vacuum based and I -think- what you are talking about is part of that system so most likely, yes.

other than that check the vacuum lines are hooked to the correct spot.

I'm not 100% sure here but I believe the cruise control vacuum pump is under the drivers side window sil no?

It is probably a needed part in the car so I'll probably order one in or head down to my local wreckers to get one....

I'm not 100% sure here but I believe the cruise control vacuum pump is under the drivers side window sil no?that implies it's in the door which it most definitely is not...

that implies it's in the door which it most definitely is not...

As someone who taken apart each of my doors yeah I can definetely confirm that - what I was talking about was the scutter panel under the windscreen ....

So you mean the driver's side of the windscreen. Details.

So you mean the driver's side of the windscreen. Details.

Yep thats it. Darn late nights - my brain is shutting off!

I will check hoses tomorrow - but where should I be looking? Last time I had a look everything seemed to hook up just fine.....

The vacuum pump is over there yeah but i'm fairly sure the thing you are describing is part of that vacuum system just from my brain memories is it connected to it somehow?

theres a vacuum line running into the throttle body to drive it check how thats plumbed in and if the item you are talking about it is linked to it

Yeah i'm fairly sure the thing you are talking about is the "vacuum actuator" for the throttle.

EDIT: I think vacuum actuator is the thing that changes power under traction control but still its a similar device

http://lathiat.net/files/cruise_control.png

Weird, I know, but check your brake lights. It happened to my dad's 2nd gen when both his brake globes went at the same time - Cruise would turn on, but not engage.
It then happened in his 3rd gen Verada when we tried to put LED's to replace his brake globes - same deal.

So check your globes, or if you have changed to LED, change them back.

Good one Onkytonk! I'd completely forgotten about brake lights affecting Cruise Control - was discussed a yr or two back.

However, I am a little unsettled by the mention of a "speaker thing" near the throttle body - sounds like it could be a diaphragm which is lacking a cover. If that's the case, the missing cover could absolutely affect Cruise or some other vacuum-controlled function.

Isn't the cruise vacuum pump over on the drivers inner-guard in engine bay, somewhere near the horn and top engine mount?

Weird, I know, but check your brake lights. It happened to my dad's 2nd gen when both his brake globes went at the same time - Cruise would turn on, but not engage.
It then happened in his 3rd gen Verada when we tried to put LED's to replace his brake globes - same deal.

So check your globes, or if you have changed to LED, change them back.

Yep I had a look at these and they were fine - it is a good point though....the only rear lights that currently aren't conencted is the 3rd brake light on the windscreen.... I need to find some clips to hang it up....but Cheers for the though anyway...


Yeah i'm fairly sure the thing you are talking about is the "vacuum actuator" for the throttle.

EDIT: I think vacuum actuator is the thing that changes power under traction control but still its a similar device

http://lathiat.net/files/cruise_control.png

That's exactly it! ... the cover off the 'vacuum actuator' was missing and I didn't realise it or its importance.....had a look into the bay today and found it connected to the vacuum hose that connects it to the vacuum pump under the driver side scutter panel .... looks like when I changed my plugs I forgot to connect it back up :doh::facepalm

Anyway I screw it back on with some old screws I found in the garage and now the cruise is running flawlessly....

Thanks alot everyone for the help! Appreciate it :) Good on ya's

AMC is full of win - again!

the cruise on my KS works when it wants to. Say I will be driving along the highway on cruise for an hour then it shuts off and wont work again. anyone had that before?? weird

@ONKYTONK - THANKYOU. My wife and I have been stoushing over who does and doesn't know how to use the cruise control, "intermittent fault"! Car ran out of warranty today and too late to get it repaired. She discovered today that it only did not work when the lights were on, (lots of rainy weather lately - hence the intemittent nature) I had recently put in LED taillight globes because we kept blowing taillight fuses for no reason. So just now after reading your post I put the original taillight globes back in and cruise works again with the lights on.
Lesson to everyone! Thanks so much. What did we do before internet forums?