Malibu L4-2.4L (2010)
Cruise Control: Description and Operation
Cruise Control Description and Operation
Cruise control is a speed control system that maintains a desired vehicle speed under normal driving conditions at speeds above 40 km/h (25 mph). Steep
grades may cause variations in the selected vehicle speeds.
The following are the main components of the cruise control system:
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The accelerator pedal
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The brake pedal position (BPP) sensor
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The body control module (BCM)
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The cruise on/off switch
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The + RES switch (equivalent to resume/accel switch)
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The - SET switch (equivalent to set/coast switch)
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The engine control module (ECM)
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The throttle actuator control (TAC) motor
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The vehicle speed sensor
The body control module (BCM) monitors the signal circuit of the cruise control switches, which are located on the steering wheel. The BCM relays the
cruise control switch status to the engine control module (ECM) via a serial data message. The ECM uses the status of the cruise control switch to
determine when to capture and maintain the vehicle speed. The ECM monitors the vehicle speed signal circuit in order to determine the desired vehicle
speed. The ECM uses the TAC motor in order to maintain the vehicle speed.
Ignition voltage is supplied to the cruise control switch from the 2-ampere RUN/CRANK fuse located in the integrated BCM fuse block. The cruise
control function switches are arranged in a resistive ladder design, with each cruise control function switch having a different resistance value. The BCM
detects a specific voltage value that is associated with the cruise control function switch being activated. When the normally open cruise control on/off
switch is turned ON, the switch closes illuminating the cruise control switch ON indicator, and the BCM sends a serial data message to the ECM
indicating that the on/off switch is active. Similarly, when the normally open + RES switch or the normally open - SET switch are pressed, the switch
closes and the BCM detects the predetermined voltage signal on the cruise control resume/accel and set/coast switch signal circuit. The BCM sends a
serial data message to the ECM indicating that the + RES switch or the - SET switch is active. The + RES switch or the - SET switch will remain inactive
when the BCM has not received the predetermined voltage signal from the on/off switch.
Cruise Control Engaged
The cruise control system will engage and adjust vehicle speeds, based on the activation of the following cruise control switches, which are located on
the steering wheel:
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On/Off
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+ RES
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- SET
To engage the cruise control system, ensure that the vehicle speed is above 40.2 km/h (25 mph), turn the cruise On/Off switch ON and momentarily press
the - SET switch. The ECM will engage the cruise control system and record the vehicle speed. The ECM sends a serial data message to the instrument
panel cluster (IPC) in order to illuminate the Cruise Engaged indicator in the IPC.
Pressing the accelerator pedal while the cruise control system is engaged, allows the driver to override the cruise control system in order to accelerate the
vehicle beyond the current set vehicle speed. When the accelerator pedal is released, the vehicle will decelerate and resume the current set vehicle speed.
The driver can also override the current set vehicle speed via the - SET switch and the + RES switch. When the cruise control system is engaged,
pressing and holding the - SET switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate from the current set vehicle speed without deactivating the cruise control
system. When the - SET switch is released, the ECM will record the vehicle speed and maintain the vehicle speed as the new set vehicle speed. When the
cruise control system is engaged, momentarily pressing the - SET switch will allow the vehicle to decelerate at 1.6 km/h (1 mph) increments for each
time that the - SET is momentarily pressed, with a minimum vehicle speed of 37 km/h (23 mph).
Pressing and holding the + RES switch, when the cruise control system is engaged, will allow the vehicle to accelerate to a greater vehicle speed than the
current set vehicle speed. When the + RES switch is released, the ECM will record the vehicle speed and maintain the vehicle speed as the new set
vehicle speed. When the cruise control system is engaged, momentarily pressing the + RES switch will allow the vehicle to accelerate at 1.6 km/h (1
mph) increments for each time that the + RES switch is momentarily pressed, with the maximum acceleration total of 16 km/h (10 mph) over the current
set vehicle speed. Momentarily activating the + RES switch will recall the previous vehicle speed, after the cruise control system is disengaged by
pressing the brake pedal.
Cruise Control Disengaged
The engine control module (ECM) disengages the cruise control operation based on the signals from the following switches: