2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

[EvilSmirk]

I recently took a trip from Charlottesville, VA where I live to see my cousin and do some work on my MT 3.8L V6 Camaro at his shop, Carma Motorsports, in Atlanta, GA. Anyway, clutch pedal was feeling sloppy, and when the engine was cold I'd have to pop the clutch pedal back up from underneath. Aamco wanted >$850 and all they were going to do was replace the Slave Cylinder, which is why I chose the trip to Atlanta.

Anyway, we had to replace the slave cylinder, which actually didn't look to bad, and the master cylinder in order to fix the problem. However, the CC didn't work on the trip back and unfortunately I had no time to turn around since I had to get back in order to be at work the next day.

My thinking was that we fouled up a switch or didn't reconnect one properly from under the dash while we were swapping the master cylinder. However, I checked the brake switches today, and they seem fine. The brake lights work just fine. I also double checked to make sure the tranny speed sensor switch was clean and properly connected. I can't seem to locate the CC module though so I'm not sure if those connectors got fouled while we were messing around in the engine compartment trying to get the damn master cylinder replaced.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[EvilSmirk]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

So, nobody knows what's going on? That's disappointing. Don't tell me I have to take it to a shop or the dealer to have them fix something that can easily be handled in my driveway.

[landj]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

I think this message is redundantly pointless, but if it helps:
Other than telling you to check all the wires, connectors and vacuum hoses running to the cruise control and behind the brake pedal, don't know what else to reccomend. Never messed with the cruise on the camaro, but on my old j-body, I had a small vaccuum leak that wouldn't let the cruise stay engaged. Replaced the hose and all the world was good again. Unplug/replug all the sensors back in to check for any bad connections.

[silvachris1]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

There's a switch on the brake pedal, and I'm pretty sure there's one on the clutch pedal too. They should both be white. If they're both connected and the wires are still intact, the switches may just need adjusted so they are making contact. IIRC, the switches are mounted away from the pedal bars, and the buttons are pressed when the pedals are NOT being pushed. Push the pedal and the switch is disengaged, let off and the circuit is completed.

Anyways, the switches can be adjusted by turning an adjustment nut that the switch is mounted on, or by unplugging the switch and just turning it on the nut. Sounds a bit complicated but you'll be able to understand when you start looking. Chances are its the one on the clutch pedal since that's the last thing you all worked on.

[EvilSmirk]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Thanks for the response silvachris1, but I took a cursory look at them already. But now that you confirmed what I was thinking, I'm going to get back under there and take another look to make sure. Is there a specific clearance that I would find in Haynes or something, or is making sure the switch is engaged when the pedal is at rest on the stops good enough?

[silvachris1]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

I don't know any specific clearance that you'd need, and I really doubt that the Haynes or Chiltons manuals will tell you anything exact.

What I did was just hold the pedal down with one hand, and push the button with my other. If I remember right, you can barely hear it click in when you push. You'll want the pedal to make those switches click. If you can't hear a click, you'll have to try something else. I think there was only 1 switch on the brake pedal (it's been a while, there might be 2), but when you hold in that switch it activates the brake lights too. If that's the case your brake lights would be on constantly. Sooooooo, if there's 1 switch on the brake and your lights are staying off, then it's the switch on the clutch.

Now, having said all that, the clearance should be the same on both switches, just make sure the button is pressed when the pedal is NOT pressed. Ifffff that doesn't fix it, you could replace the switches, or it could be something else completely.

[silvachris1]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Hey, I found some info for ya.

"The switch contacts should be open at 25.4 mm (1.0 in) or less of pedal travel. The switch contacts should occur at the same time or before the onset of braking. The brake pedal travel can be up to 25.4 mm (1.0 in) before the cruise control system disengages."

and

"The brake pedal may travel up to 25.4 mm (1 in) before the cruise control system disengages."

Anyways, seems like there's a pattern there. I sent you a very detailed email, check your junk/spam folder.

[EvilSmirk]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Got the email and replied back to you because of an issue with the hyperlinks. If we can get that sorted out it would be appreciated.

In addition, does anyone have a pic of cruise control module for my era and engine size of Camaro, such as location in engine compartment and what it looks like. I'd like to check the connectors since it might be possible they got messed with while messing with the brake booster and master cylinder.

[silvachris1]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Re-replied. Hopefully the pics are working now.

[EvilSmirk]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Bigger problem just surfaced today on the way to work, though it might actually be related.

There was a sudden power drop while accelerating through a curve. Can barely hear the exhaust now, which is usually a very deep growl with the Flowmaster 80, and the power is still quite sluggish. Feels almost like a couple of the cylinders aren't firing and figured I'd check the plugs first. Sound reasonable?

If it's not the plugs, then probably the wires or ignition coils correct? Figured I'd check to make sure the sensors on the tranny are in place as well before doing anything else.

[silvachris1]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Speedometer still working? Reduced Engine Power light come on?

[EvilSmirk]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Yes, the speedometer is still working, so I don't think it's the speedo sensor attached to the tranny. The Reduced Engine Power light hasn't come on and I'm not seeing a SES light either.

It seems like the engine is still working fine, just with substantially fewer ponies. Leads me to believe it's either the plugs/wires or the Cat.

Any thoughts?

[silvachris1]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

I was thinking the car went into limp mode by the way you talk, but the reduced engine power light should be on for that. I wouldn't think it would just all the sudden happen, but my coil packs just randomly died on me once. It wasn't just a power loss though, the car sounded like crap and was shaking severely under throttle. Who knows man, you can try changing the easy stuff first, but I'm at a loss on this.

[EvilSmirk]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Bummer! Was hoping for a bit more insight. LOL!

The car doesn't sound bad, just like it's not growling any more. There doesn't seem to be any extra vibration or rattling either. Just not as responsive on the throttle. Still gets up to speed, just takes longer to do it than before, which is leading me to believe that for some reason a few of the cylinders aren't firing either because of plug, wire, or coil issues. I'm going to take a look at the plugs tonight or tomorrow morning and hopefully they'll look like ****. That way I can replace them and be done with it. If they look good then I'll probably check the coils, since I find them easier to check then the wires. But if they're good, then hopefully it's just the wires.

Sound like a reasonable approach?

[silvachris1]

Re: 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Cruise Control INOP

Bad gas maybe?