[nolwood]

The cruise control on my '94 Cadillac Concours Deville goes on but after a while, particularly at higher speeds going uphill it disengages. Will not go again unless I stop, sit for a while...then it all repeats itself. I just paid $929 to have it fixed. Servo and PCM were replaced. Problem continues. Needless to say I'm more than a little frustrated. Don't really think that I should have to research the problem that the garage personnel should be experts at.

 

[Ranger]

Check the disengage switch on the brake pedal.

 

[StuJac]

Also, try this; when you are cruising and it give out, put your left foot behind the brake pedal and pull it up - it'll only move about a 1/4 inch but I have a similar problem on my 98 and this works EVERY time. If it does work, as Ranger advised me earlier, then it's just the brake disengage switch. I'm not bothering to replace mine because I can solve it every time with the "foot lifting the brake" method.

Good luck.

 

[nolwood]

Thanks for the suggestions. Now, how angry and/or insulted will the GMC cadillac 'specialist' be if I suggest that the problem may be with the disengage switch on the brake pedal? I'm supposed to take it back to the garage tomorrow (Monday, 6/11/07).

 

[Ranger]

The question is how angry will YOU be if that turns out to be the problem after spending $929? Who cares how angry they get. You spent $929 and the problem persists.

 

[StuJac]

Thanks for the suggestions. Now, how angry and/or insulted will the GMC cadillac 'specialist' be if I suggest that the problem may be with the disengage switch on the brake pedal? I'm supposed to take it back to the garage tomorrow (Monday, 6/11/07).

Don't take it back to the dealer until you try this method. If it doesn't work than you'll just be spending more money on diagnosis to check the disengage switch. Try the work-around first; if it solves the problem then you can walk in and almost demand they fix it for free as this should have been one of the first things checked.

 

[nolwood]

Actually I wish I had tried the work-around first but didn't think to do that. When I expressed my unhappiness with spending $929 and would not be very willing to expend more $s I was told by the service manager that this would be on them. We'll see.

 

[StuJac]

Well, did it work?

 

[nolwood]

I just talked AGAIN to the service manager at the GMC garage here. Says they have ordered yet another switch....I mentioned the disengage switch and was told that it wouldn't be that but that the Cadillac specialist says something about a code that matches the new servo and PCM ....I don't really know what he was talking about. Anyway, it's Wednesday, the car has been there since Monday.The switch was ordered yesterday...says it should be here tomorrow. Once more reiterated that I would not be charged anymore...well I HOPE not. I'll talk to the Cadillac guy this afternoon.

 

[nolwood]

If anyone is still wondering about my cruise control problems: after keeping the car for 10 days and "Throwing parts at it" it was discovered that that problem was the brake switch...just like everyone said. So, why didn't they check that in the first place? I just talked with the main man and have satisfactorily settled the account for 1/2 the original $929 charge. A cruise control switch and brake switch were replaced....and I was told many hours were used to figure it out. I don't doubt that so am satisfied with a $465 refund.

 

[StuJac]

Well, I'm certainly sorry about that and sympathize with you. That's exactly why I never took mine in. I'm thankful for Ranger planting the seed.

 

[lukky4u]

amazing...thats a real head scratcher....these guys charge upward of 60 bucks an hour for labor??...man am i in the wrong field....maybe i could open my own shop...when i have a car come in that im not sure of the problem...put a post on this site wait for ranger to chime in and then fix it!

 

[StuJac]

amazing...thats a real head scratcher....these guys charge upward of 60 bucks an hour for labor??...man am i in the wrong field....maybe i could open my own shop...when i have a car come in that im not sure of the problem...put a post on this site wait for ranger to chime in and then fix it!

$60 an hour? Try $90 an hour where I'm at. And btw-how the eff did they not know about the brake switch and start there? I smell a rat.

 

[Chuwee]

I always smell a rate with mechanic or should I say business with mechanics. This is exactly why I do not take my cars too any of those people I rather figure it out and fix myself.

 

[Chuwee]

Check the disengage switch on the brake pedal.

Ranger is this a brake switch or specific for the cruise control? About how much do these guys go for?

 

[Ranger]

Some cars had 2 switches I think. Brake light, and cruise & TCC disengage. I think they are all in one on my car, but not positive. I don't know what they cost, but can't be very expensive. It is pretty much an on/off switch.

 

[nolwood]

The general manager said that mechanics at that shop get $89 per hour. By the way, I appreciate all the comments and help with this problem. Next time I'll come HERE before going to the garage. Thanks all.

 

[Chuwee]

Well I hope you guys do not mind me keeping this thread open but I also have an issue with my cruise control I am starting to tackle now.

A bit of history I came about my 90 Deville from my Dad who was the original owner but not much into the mechanictry. My mom bless her soul burned up the transmission a few years back by driving it on 2 gear on a long trip and since then my dad kinda lost interest thinking it was going to be to expensiove to fix. Well when he gave it to me I had the transmission fix and one of the issues my dad told me was that the cruise control was not working. When I took over the car the Cruise control did work for me but after I had the Transmission redone it no longer works. I did do a lot of work on this car just to get it in the state that it is in now but I am going to take it on a long trip and would love to get the cruise control working again.

So in trying to fix more issues I still have and to start looking at the Cruise Control I did clear my code and these are the ones I am getting now. Currently I have a 42, 48, and 90 which to my understanding 42 is a power steering switch, 48 is A.I.R, and 90 is my transaxel switch. In looking these switches up in the manul I found out that the transaxel and the power steer might contribute to the Cruise but not fully sure. Would anyone have an insite on this?

I did try to pull the brake pedal up and see if that did anything but all I got was a flicker of light on the cruise control switch. I think at this moment i need to say that currently my cruise switch does not seem to turn on and the engagement light also does not turn on so I am going to pull the switch today or tomorrow and make sure I have a good connection then I will try to get a different switch just to check this. But in saying this I really think it is my Transaxel switch cause I do recall the transmission guys messing with a switch to get the alignment of my shifter knob.

Anyway any help or experience anyone can give is greatly appreciated.

 

[Ranger]

The general manager said that mechanics at that shop get $89 per hour.

The shop may get $89/hr., but I can guarantee you that the mechanic isn't.

Chuwee, my gut feeling is with the transaxel switch, FWIW.

 

[Chuwee]

Thank Ranger thats my feeling too. Will post my findings on Monday or Tuesday and have yourself a good weekend.