Climate Control and Cruise Control Problem

yakko · #1 09-30-2007, 12:33 AM

02 Buick Regal LS

My cruise control isn't working. At first, it quit working all together. Then, it started to work, but stopped very shortly after that. For a few days it would either work or not work. Sometimes when I start the car, the cruise light would stay on but the cruise would not work, nor the light go off.

So right now, sometimes the light comes on at start up and the cruise does not work at all.

I've checked the fuse early on and it's fine. I've done ALOT of reading on this forum about cruise control, but didn't find anything that had the same symptoms.

Any help, advice, suggestion or comment would be very helpful.

BNaylor · #2 09-30-2007, 01:54 PM

On cruise control problems really hard to say without hooking up a Tech II scan tool or further troubleshooting but you may have a problem with the cruise control module.

yakko · #3 09-30-2007, 05:40 PM

Buick Regal 02 LS

Along with a cruise control problem and a windows not working problem, I've also got a climate control problem.

Seems about a week ago, my climate controls started acting very crazy. Sometimes they would work, sometimes they wouldn't. Sometimes the A/C would come on, sometimes it wouldn't. Sometimes the blower would work at max, but not on any other setting, sometimes it would work on another degree of blowing and not any others. Rear defrost button (located next to the A/C button) also was twitchy for awhile.

Now nothing works. All of these issues seem to be out of the climate control panel. At first I assumed that it might be the panel itself, and began looking into buying a whole new one off ebay or something. Upon seeing the back of these parts, it seems that each knob and button have their own set of wires independent from everything else. At that point, I began thinking that all these wires probably go into some kind of climate computer somewhere or maybe the whole climate control panel is fed power from one certain relay.

So, my questions are...

Where is the relay that would control power to these things?
Is there a climate control computer of sorts and where is it?
Anyone else experienced this problem before and get it fixed?
Is there another part besides some relay or computer that it might be?

Thank you all for any thoughts you might have!!!

BNaylor · #4 09-30-2007, 06:06 PM

You have the classic symptoms of a bad ignition switch and harness assembly.

richtazz · #5 10-01-2007, 09:07 AM

If your car has the steering wheel mounted cruise on/off button, it's a fairly common problem. The detent inside the switch fails (it starts as an intermittent problem) and it doesn't hold in the on position.

BNaylor · #6 10-01-2007, 09:14 AM

I merged his two posts together. He has multiple problems related to the ignition switch.

yakko · #7 10-01-2007, 05:50 PM

Copy on the ignition switch. Is it common for the climate controls to be powered/controlled through the ignition switch? According to my 'so far extremely inaccurate' Haynes book, it says the ignition switch is located under the steering wheel in the column. Can anyone verify that I have to remove the steering wheel to get to it? I so don't want to do that due to the airbag.

Also, I discovered today (both cruise and climate control still not working at all) that when the fan knob (off thru max) is turned on, the cruise light on my dash goes out. When the fan knob is turned off, the cruise light on my dash comes on. This seems to verfiy to me that they are related and goes back to the ignition switch. I guess I just want someone more educated in cars to tell me 'yes, take the freakin wheel off and get to it' before I actually do it (or pay someone too).

yakko · #8 10-01-2007, 05:51 PM

one more question...could my windows not working also be an ignition switch issue?

yakko · #9 10-01-2007, 05:57 PM

...and thank you all for your help and advice that I've gotten and will get. This forum is definitely a life saver.

BNaylor · #10 10-01-2007, 06:46 PM

The Haynes is not a good reference on wiring diagrams. The GM FSM is the best one. Normally the power windows are not affected unless you do not have any radio too due to retained accessory power (RAP). The RAP relay does receive 12 volts from IGN MAIN via the ignition switch. Just to be sure check the power window circuit breaker at the passenger dash fuse box. The ignition switch is about a 1 hour DIY job. We have a tech procedure for replacement. Let me know if you need it. The steering wheel and airbag does not need to be removed.

richtazz · #11 10-02-2007, 06:50 AM

Agreed it's an ignition switch/harness issue. This issue can affect any ignition controlled circuit, but normally affects the indicator lights, HVAC and blower speeds first. As Bob stated, the windows are not normally affected, but it could be a cause of random inoperation since they are igniton controlled.

yakko · #12 10-02-2007, 05:24 PM

Yes, I would love the tech procedure for replacement for the ignition switch. That would save me a ton of headache as the Haynes manual is telling me to pull the steering wheel. Amazing. Is Chilton's any better?

I've bought a window switch off of ebay because I thought that was the problem for the window, but it sounds like the climate control and cruise are the ignition switch.

Thanks again guys! You're the best!!!!

BNaylor · #13 10-03-2007, 08:52 AM

Chiltons? Not really.

The best one is the GM FSM which you can get from Helm, Inc. Also, they show up on EBay used but great prices.

See link below for procedure. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Click here

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