**Update** Cruise control and wipers and brakes, oh my!

stickman61

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Ok, I've got a weird problem with my '13 Z71. My cruise control only works about 1/2 the time unless I hit the side of the brake pedal or flash the lights from low to high beam or both.
(I don't know if it has anything to do with flashing the lights or now but definitely related to the brake pedal)
I wasn't that concerned about it until I had my wipers on intermittent and stopped for a traffic light. My wipers stopped working until I let off the brake. I thought I was imagining the long delay the first time but it happened every stop.
I'm guessing a bad connection on a power wire.
Any ideas?
 
Cruise control is disengaged by brake pedal switch. I bet it's sticking.
Use some contact cleaner followed by a light lube. Maybe adjust it if the switch allows. Sometimes they are threaded with a locknut, allowing in/out adjustment.

(Not a mechanic! Just drive shitty Chevy trucks)
 
Had an 07 Colorado doing similar stuff plus dash gauges would go out randomly, too.
Turns out there was a terminal strip on the left side of the engine compartment behind the breather box that had some loose connections on it.
 
I would check the dealership on recalls or open extended warranties is what they like to call it these days.
 
Ok, I've got a weird problem with my '13 Z71. My cruise control only works about 1/2 the time unless I hit the side of the brake pedal or flash the lights from low to high beam or both.
(I don't know if it has anything to do with flashing the lights or now but definitely related to the brake pedal)
I wasn't that concerned about it until I had my wipers on intermittent and stopped for a traffic light. My wipers stopped working until I let off the brake. I thought I was imagining the long delay the first time but it happened every stop.
I'm guessing a bad connection on a power wire.
Any ideas?


You have a poltergeist.
 
The cruise control is disengaged when it detects voltage to the brake lights.

I ran into this on my '05 Ranger. The cruise control stopped working. I use it all the time but at 298k miles, it doesn't owe me anything. I was mildly annoyed but not enough to take it to a mechanic.

I have a Haynes manual and that's what it said so checking that the brake lights were still working is the first thing I did.

What I found was the cruise control module under the hood has a cable attached to a cam (just like on a compound bow) near the end of the throttle cable. When engaged, it holds the cam in place (but detects and adjusts for uphill/downhill) while you take your foot off the gas pedal.

The cable had disengaged on mine. Easy fix.
 
Pm me your trucks info. Year make model engine and vin number and I will look it up for you tommorow at work and see if there are any reports of the same symptoms and what the fix most likley is.
 
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Pm me your trucks info. Year make model engine and vin number and I will look it up for you tommorow at work and see if there are any reports of the same symptoms and what the fix most likley is.

You don't know how much I appreciate that! I'm out of town till tomorrow night but I'll get you the info then if that's ok.
 
I've heard of electrical issue on newer Chevy's....
Don't know if it's true or not as DirtySCREW is a Ford.

DS
 
Ok, I've got a weird problem with my '13 Z71. My cruise control only works about 1/2 the time unless I hit the side of the brake pedal or flash the lights from low to high beam or both.
(I don't know if it has anything to do with flashing the lights or now but definitely related to the brake pedal)
I wasn't that concerned about it until I had my wipers on intermittent and stopped for a traffic light. My wipers stopped working until I let off the brake. I thought I was imagining the long delay the first time but it happened every stop.
I'm guessing a bad connection on a power wire.
Any ideas?
You don't know how much I appreciate that! I'm out of town till tomorrow night but I'll get you the info then if that's ok.

Any resolution?
Inquiring minds want to know lol
 
I'd like to say that I got to work on it but the tractor and Bush hog had priority yesterday. Hopefully next weekend...
 
I finally got to spend some time on my truck.
I checked the main cables for voltage drop and couldn't find anything until I checked voltage from the engine to the body. Almost 3 volts from body to alternator housing!
I couldn't put my hands on the faulty wire so I put a #10 from the valve cover to the firewall.
Problem solved temporarily, rain was coming and I couldn't get all the way in the garage. Hopefully I can finish it on Memorial Day.
Thanks for all your help guys!
 
I knew it was a bad ground. Glad you got it fixed. I will send you list of ground locations tommorow so you can fix it for good when you have time. The valve cover is not a good place to ground too since it is mostly rubber insulated by the gasket and the bolt grommets.
 
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