Cruise Control
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
Cruise Control
Greetings Bronco people!
I usually hang out in the 73-79 forum but need info on a big bronco. My sister-in-law moved back home from WA last week and showed up in a nice big bronco. Kinda funny since she left in a Festiva.
I forgot what year it was (86 0r 96) but I know it's an XLT and it has a 351 with a sticker on the valve cover that says Winsor Ontario. I assume it's a 351w. I hope this is enough to go off of.
The problem is that her cruise doesn't work. I'd like to fix it for her but I'm wondering what all I should be checking. I know to check the fuese, wiring and vacuum hoses, but what else?
This thing is way more complicated than my 78, so any help would be great.
Thanks!
Kevin K.
I usually hang out in the 73-79 forum but need info on a big bronco. My sister-in-law moved back home from WA last week and showed up in a nice big bronco. Kinda funny since she left in a Festiva.
I forgot what year it was (86 0r 96) but I know it's an XLT and it has a 351 with a sticker on the valve cover that says Winsor Ontario. I assume it's a 351w. I hope this is enough to go off of.
The problem is that her cruise doesn't work. I'd like to fix it for her but I'm wondering what all I should be checking. I know to check the fuese, wiring and vacuum hoses, but what else?
This thing is way more complicated than my 78, so any help would be great.
Thanks!
Kevin K.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Dallas USA
Cruise Control
Most common problem with the Cruise Control is the servo going out. Its located right next to the master cynlinder. I don't know how to check it...just that I had to replace it once to get my cruise control working again.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Cruise Control
The buttons in the horn pad have resistors attached to them; there are 2 relays buried in the dash or hanging in the engine compartment, there are a few vacuum hoses, one of which goes thru the firewall to the brake pedal arm; the servo's cable clips on top of the accelerator cable at the throttle; the computer is mounted to the bottom of the dash above the gas pedal with 2 connectors side-by-side; and the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is on the speedo cable somewhere, but most likely at the bottom end where it goes into the transfer case. The VSS and the vacuum switch on the brake pedal are the most common problems.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: Monterey bay area
Cruise Control
Hmmm I had the same problem with my 88
only thing is the speedo cable snapped
this is why it stopped working....so check to see if speedo is
operational.....if not then there it is!!
regards
R
only thing is the speedo cable snapped
this is why it stopped working....so check to see if speedo is
operational.....if not then there it is!!
regards
R
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
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From: Cleveland, WI USA
Cruise Control
Thanks Steve83 et all,
I'll print this out when I go over there next time.
>What did she feed that Festiva?
I don't know, but I wish I could get some for my 78 F150. That think would be a monster!
K.
I'll print this out when I go over there next time.
>What did she feed that Festiva?
I don't know, but I wish I could get some for my 78 F150. That think would be a monster!
K.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
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From: Loveland, CO.
Cruise Control
Does anybody know what might make the cruise control in my 90 not hold speeds well on inclines? Also, when I push the button to accelerate, it does, but very slowly. Not big problems, but I'd fix them if it was an easy adjustment or something.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,358
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From: Nebraska
Cruise Control
>Does anybody know what might make the cruise control in my
>90 not hold speeds well on inclines? Also, when I push the
>button to accelerate, it does, but very slowly. Not big
>problems, but I'd fix them if it was an easy adjustment or
>something.
Sticking or binding cable maybe?
>90 not hold speeds well on inclines? Also, when I push the
>button to accelerate, it does, but very slowly. Not big
>problems, but I'd fix them if it was an easy adjustment or
>something.
Sticking or binding cable maybe?
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland, WI USA
Cruise Control
It's probably a fuel economy thing with the computer. It's programed to speed up slowly to avoid down shifting.
When you drive, you PREPARE for a hill by speeding up before you get there. The cruise can't see the road so it REACTS to the hill. Unfortunately, by then it's too late. You've already lost momentum.
Just my observation.
Kevin K.
When you drive, you PREPARE for a hill by speeding up before you get there. The cruise can't see the road so it REACTS to the hill. Unfortunately, by then it's too late. You've already lost momentum.
Just my observation.
Kevin K.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Cruise Control
It's because your engine loses vacuum as the throttle opens, and it's engine vacuum that opens the throttle. Catch 22. You probably have a vacuum leak somewhere in the cruise system or on the engine, or the engine is just wearing out. Order an $8 vacuum gauge from JCW and you can watch it. I have one on my truck, but I also swapped to the later electric servo so I'm not dependent on vacuum for cruise any more. 
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Cruise Control
The engine has relatively low miles and runs good, I think it is the vacuum as I also have the problem of the ac vents switching to defrost on hard acceleration. One day I will check all the hoses, it's not really a pressing issue.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Cruise Control
Check under the hood for the vacuum cannister.
This is what increases the volume of vacuum to help prevent what you are talking about.
Dennis
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This is what increases the volume of vacuum to help prevent what you are talking about.
Dennis
F.T.E. Assistant Administrator
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/SigSanta.JPG
[font color=red]
"May The Spirit Of Christmas Be An Inspiration To You Throughout The Year"[/font]
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Cruise Control
The vacuum reservoir doesn't actually increase the vacuum pressure, but it allows more thing to work off vacuum even when the engine isn't producing much. The fact that your A/C is changing confirms that it's a vacuum issue, but doesn't eliminate the engine as the problem. What's the manifold vacuum at idle?
http://www.users.bigpond.com/ergoff/vac1.htm
http://www.users.bigpond.com/ergoff/vac1.htm
