Adding Factory Cruise Control for the Ford EF Falcon
- Document Information
- Information regarding the operation, fitting and wiring of the factory cruise control system
- Vehicle: Ford Falcon (EF)
- Copyright Owner: Matthew Jones (Matti Jones) (ZerOne)
- Document Visits: 93987
- Created: Tue Oct 19, 2010 1:57 am
- Revised: Tue Oct 19, 2010 5:36 am (Rev 1)
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The Cruise Control Module was a Dealer Fitted option on many Falcons, and was fitted standard on Fairmonts, Fairlanes, and LTD models.
Its purpose is to hold the vehicles speed when activated, by opening the Throttle Body, and maintaining adequate Acceleration to hold a constant Vehicle Speed.
The Cruise Control Module does not however Activate the Vehicles Brakes, to reduce the Vehicles speed.
This Document Describes the operation, installation, and Testing of the EF and EL Model Ford Falcon Cruise Control Module.
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The Cruise Control System provides automatic speed control above 40Km/h, under normal driving conditions.
The system is activated by switches mounted on the steering wheel.
Below 40Km/hour, the system will not operate.
WARNING : To avoid the possibility of loss of control, the cruise control should not be used in heavy traffic (City Driving), or on winding, slippery, or unsealed roads.
On / Off Switches- Pressing the "On" Button will activate the Cruise Control system. The word "CRUISE" Will Illuminate on the Instrument Cluster to indicate that the system is active.
- Pressing the "Off" Button will switch the system Off. When pressed, the "CRUISE" Lamp will no longer be Illuminated.
Setting the Desired Speed
- Press the Cruise Control "On" Switch to Activate the Cruise Control System. The "CRUISE" Lamp will Illuminate on the Instrument Cluster.
- Accelerate to the desired cruising speed. (This speed must be above 40Km/Hour
- Momentarily depress the "+ Set" Button, and release it. Do Not Hold the Button down ! (Note for EF Series I models, this button is labelled "ACCEL").
- Release the accelerator and the Cruise Control Module will automatically maintain the current vehicle speed.
Increasing the Vehicle Speed
- Tap the "+ Set" button once to increase the Vehicle speed by 2Km/Hour. (NOTE: EF Series I models, the Button is labelled "ACCEL")
- Tap the "+ Set" Button again to further increase speed, or simply hold the "+ SET" Button down until the desired vehicle speed is reached.
- You can also accelerate the vehicle by depressing the Accelerator Pedal, until the Desired Vehicle speed is reached, then depressing the "+ Set" Button.
Overtaking
To Overtake another vehicle when cruise control is operating,
- Depress the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed as required.
- Release the accelerator pedal to resume the pre-set cruise control vehicle speed.
Decreasing the Cruise Control Set Speed
- Tap the "- SET" Button to decrease the vehicle speed by 2Km/Hour. (NOTE: On EF Series I models, this button is labelled "DECEL")
- Further Depression of the "- SET" Button will reduce the vehicle speed, until the Button is released. (NOTE: On EF Series I models, this button is labelled "DECEL")
OR
- Depress the brake pedal to decrease the vehicle speed to the desired level.
- Tap the "+ SET" Button to set the cruise control speed to the current vehicle speed.
To Cancel Cruise Control
- Depressing the Brake pedal will Cancel the current Cruise Control Set Speed.
- Depressing the "OFF" Button on the Cruise Control, will also Cancel the current Cruise Control set speed.
- Depressing the "RES-COAST" Button will allow the vehicle to Coast, until the Button is depressed again, (Which will resume the Previously set Vehicle Speed)
Resuming the Set Cruising Speed
If the cruising speed has been cancelled by some method other than the use of the "OFF" button, (I.E. The "CRUISE" Lamp is still Illuminated on the Instrument Cluster), the last preset cruising speed can be resumed by pressing the "RES COAST" Button.
NOTE : The last cruising speed cannot be resumed, if the current vehicle speed is less than 40Km/Hour.
The cruise control Preset speed is deactivated each time the ignition switch is switched off.
Cruise Control Operation Advice
- The Cruise Control System and preset Cruise Speed is De-Activated each time the ignition switch is switched off.
- The resume feature will not function if the system has been switched off by the "OFF" Button, if the Ignition has been switched off, or the Current vehicle speed is below 40Km/Hour.
- After pressing the "ON" or "RES COAST" buttons or depressing the brakes or clutch pedals, allow for 1-2 seconds before selecting either the "+ SET" or "RES COAST" button again.
WARNING : When going up or down steep ascents and descents, it is possible for the vehicle to lose or gain speed, even though the cruise control is engaged. In which case, you may need to manually control the speed.
Manual Transmissions
During gearshifts, clutch operation will disengage the Cruise Control. As long as the vehicle speed is above 40Km/Hour, the previously set speed may be regained by depressing the "RES COAST" Button.
Automatic Transmissions
On some uphill grades, the transmission may cycle between 3rd and 4th gears periodically.
This can be avoided by down shifting from "D" to "3" to prevent the vehicle shifting into 4th Gear.
- Pressing the "On" Button will activate the Cruise Control system. The word "CRUISE" Will Illuminate on the Instrument Cluster to indicate that the system is active.
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Cruise Control Parts ad Ford Part Numbers for these Parts
EF9C734A - Cruise Control Module
EF9C887A - Automatic Transmission Jumper Plug
EL9C888A1 - Steering Wheel Cruise Control Switches
EF9F924A - Brake Pressure Switch
EF9A820A - Actuator Cable for 6 Cylinders
EF9A820B - Actuator Cable for 8 Cylinders
E820038S36C - Nut and Washer - M6 (Actuator Mounting Screws)
V810142S36D - Bolt M6 (Actuator Cable mounting Bolt 6 Cylinder)
N610958S56 - Screw - Self Tapping Screw (8 Cylinder)
56920S36D/CE - Screw - Self Tapping Cruise Control Buttons
Note for models without ABS (EF/EL Falcon GLi)
These models have a stripped down Engine Bay wiring Loom, which is missing a few connectors, and Unfortunately cruise control is one of them.
What you will firstly need to complete before even fitting the cruise control system, is to add the necessary wiring to the Engine Bay wiring Loom, for the cruise control module.
Luckily, this wiring loom can be purchased from Ford, and its subsequent part Number is EF10C975B.
There will be more information for Non ABS equipped (GLi) Models shortly.
ABS Equipped Models
To fit the cruise control System to ABS equipped vehicles is by far, much easier than Non-ABS vehicles.
The reason for this is the different wiring Loom that is used for ABS Models.
This wiring loom includes the Cruise Control Module connectors, as well as other connectors for functions such as Low Coolant Warning, Low washer Fluid warning, and Climate Control Ambient temperature sensor.
Because of the existence of the Cruise control Connector on these models, adding the system should not take any longer than a complete day worth of work.
Adding the Cruise Control Module (ABS Vehicles) Before carrying out any work, first disconnect the Battery Negative terminal.
- 1) If the Cruise Control Actuator line is not already connected, then you will need to do this now.
The actuator cable is the cable that connects to the Throttle Body, and the Cruise control module.
To fit this line, simply align the Legs on the Cruise Control Cable Connector, with the circular connector on the cruise control module.
Once these legs are aligned, simply twist the cruise control Cable connector roughly 30* Clockwise, to engage the clip.
- 2) Next, you will need to remove the dummy connector from the Cruise Control Connector wiring loom in the engine bay.
This Dummy connector is used to allow the Steering wheel Horn Buttons to function correctly.
The connector is located towards the outside of the Brake Booster, underneath the Chassis, towards the Fender.
- 3) Once the above has been completed, you will need to connect the Cruise Control Actuator cable to the throttle body.
The Actuator cable should run along side the throttle cable, and the end piece will simply slip over a flat ball connector on the throttle body plate.
This throttle body ball connector is located just below the Spring, next to the accelerator pedal, Towards the firewall on six cylinder models, or Underneath the throttle body on 8 Cylinder models.
Finally, the Cruise Control Actuator cable should come with a Mounting Bracket, that is used to help hold the cable in place, and not allow it to flop or foul any engine components.
On Six Cylinder models, this bracket should be attached to the Rocker cover, along side the mounting bracket for the Throttle cable.
On 8 Cylinder models, this bracket is located roughly 2 inches away from the Throttle plate ball connector.
Adding the Brake Booster Pressure switch
The Brake Booster pressure switch is used by the cruise control module to determine when the Brakes are applied, in order to disable the cruise control.
This switch is also used as a fail-safe backup to the Brake Pedal Switch, for the cruise control deactivation.
The Brake Booster Pressure switch is located on the brake booster, in the engine bay, towards the engine- 1) First, remove the blanking plug on the Brake Booster.
- 2) Fit the Brake Pressure switch to the Brake Booster. This is achieved by screwing the switch in clockwise.
- 3) After this step, you should bleed the rear Brake circuit, as the installation of the Brake Booster pressure switch may have allowed air bubbles to seep in to the brake lines.
Adding the Automatic Transmission Link
This step is for Automatic Transmission Vehicles only, and is used to bypass the Manual Transmission Clutch Pedal Switch, (Which is obviously not used on an Automatic Transmission).
This connect can be difficult to locate, and very difficult to short out.
The connector should be located right up behind the fuse panel behind the Dash, and is a three-pin connector, with 2 wires coming out from it.
The easiest way to located this connector, is to follow the wiring coming from the Brake Pedal switch, all the way up behind the Fuse Block.
Once the connector is located, you will need to short out the link, using either a piece of wire, or by simply cutting the connector off, and connecting the 2 wires together.
If you are using a wire to short the pins, ensure that the wire will be secured, and will not fall out, (As what happened to us on our test vehicle).
Clutch switch Installation (Manual Transmission models only)
The clutch pedal switch is used to Deactivate the cruise control module, whenever the clutch pedal is depressed.
As per above, you will need to find the clutch pedal switch connector which can be difficult to locate.
The connector should be located right up behind the fuse panel behind the Dash, and is a three-pin connector, with 2 wires coming out from it.
The easiest way to located this connector, is to follow the wiring coming from the Brake Pedal switch, all the way up behind the Fuse Block.
Once the connector has been located, You will need to fit the supplementary wiring Loom, to this plug, and run the new loom to the top of the clutch pedal
Once this has been completed, the Clutch Switch will need to be mounted at the top of the Clutch pedal.
The Clutch switch is held on to the clutch bracket, by one screw. This bracket is located towards the back of the clutch pedal, near the Pivot mounting point on the Chassis/Firewall.
Finally, plug the supplementary wiring loom in to the newly fitted clutch Switch.
Cruise Control Steering Wheel Button Installation
The Cruise Control Wiring for the steering wheel buttons are already in place, for these buttons. Only the Buttons need to be fitted, and connected to this wiring.
Obviously, you will need to remove the Steering wheel Airbag, and will also need to cut the plastic on the Boss, so as to fit the cruise control buttons.
- 1) Disconnect the Ground cable on the Battery, and wait for 1 Minute
- 2) Remove the 2 plastic blanking plates, on the steering wheel boss.
- 3) Remove the 2 screws located behind these blanking plates.
- 4) Remove the Airbag, and Disconnect. Place the Airbag Face up, on a flat surface.
- 5) Remove the existing Wiring from the Steering Wheel Boss. This wiring is used to enable the horn to function properly, with out the Cruise control Buttons.
- 6) Remove the Plastic Shroud (Boss thingy), and Modify so as the Cruise Control Buttons can be mounted on to the shroud. You will need to cut roughly 9mm down on each side of the shroud, in order for the switches to fit properly.
- 7) Refit the Steering Wheel Boss shroud, and fit the Cruise Control Buttons, using the 4 Self Tapping screws supplied.
- 8) Connect the Cruise Control Button wiring, and tighten the steering wheel attaching screws to 45Nm.
- 9) Connect the Airbag, and Refit.
- 10) Fit the Airbag Mounting screws, and torque to 10Nm, and fit the Steering wheel blanking plates.
- 1) If the Cruise Control Actuator line is not already connected, then you will need to do this now.
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Once you have completed the above operations, you cruise control system is ready for testing.
- Verify Proper Horn Operation : If the Horn does not operate correctly, then check Horn Fuse, Horn Relay, and wiring.
- Verify Proper Stop lamp operation : If the stop lamps do not operate, then check the stop lamp fuse, the stop lamp switch, the stop lamp globes, and the stop lamp wiring.
Wiring and Electrical Connections
- All connections are complete, with no loose wires or terminals.
- Wiring is not shorted, broken, frayed or corroded, and all soldered connections are taped properly.
- Wiring has not been miss-routed, or improperly connected.
Actuator Cable, and Throttle Linkage
- The Cruise Control cable is adjusted properly, and does not hold the throttle open, or increase the base idle speed.
- The Cruise Control Throttle linkage operates freely and smoothly when connected to the actuator cable, and servo.
Cruise Control Connector Pin out Information
Please note, the Wiring loom connector will have the Pin Numbers marked on both sides of the connector.
- 1 - Electronic Cluster Indicator
- 2 - Not Used - Not Connected
- 3 - Vehicle speed signal (From The Instrument Cluster - White Wire Speedo Sender Output)
- 4 - Stop lamp Switch feed (+12V when stop lamps are on)
- 5 - Command Signal
- 6 - Command Return Signal
- 7 - Ignition Switch Feed (+12V when Ignition key On)
- 8 - Not Used - Not Connected
- 9 - Deactivator Switch (On Brake Booster - +12V when Brakes NOT Depressed)
- 10 - Ground (-)
Cruise Control Pinpoint Tests
- Attempt Test 1 - If Cruise Control Does not work at all
- Attempt Test 2 - If Cruise Control Speed Continuously changes
- Attempt Test 3 - If Button "- SET" (or Decel) Does not work
- Attempt Test 4 - If Button "+ SET" (or SET/ACCEL) Does not work
- Attempt Test 5 - If Button "RESUME/COAST" Does not work
- Attempt Test 6 - If Cruise Control Does not Dis-Engage when the Brakes are applied
- Attempt Test 7 - If the Cruise Control "OFF" Switch does not function
- Attempt Test 8 - If the "CRUISE" Lamp on the Instrument Cluster Does Not Function
- Attempt Test 9 - If the "CRUISE" Lamp on the Instrument Cluster Does not Turn Off
Test 1 - If Cruise Control Does not work at all
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - Verify Power to the Cruise Control Module Yes - Go to Part D
No - Go to Part B- Disconnect the Cruise Control Harness Connector from the Cruise Control Assembly.
- Turn the Ignition Switch to the "RUN" Position
- Using a multimeter, Measure the voltage between Pins 7 and 10
- IS THERE BATTERY VOLTAGE ?
B - Check Ignition Circuit Yes - Go to Part C
No - Replace Ignition Fuse, or Service Ignition Circuit- With the Ignition Switch in the "RUN" Position, measure the Voltage on Pin 7, and a Ground Point on the Vehicle Chassis
- IS THERE BATTERY VOLTAGE ON PIN 7 ?
C - Check Module Ground Circuit No - Fix Ground Circuit for Cruise Control
Yes - You must have goofed, try Test A AGAIN !- Measure the Resistance Between Pin 10, and a Ground Point on the Vehicle Chassis
- IS THE RESISTANCE LESS THAN 1 OHM ?
D - CHECK DEACTIVATOR SWITCH CIRCUIT Yes - Go to Part H
No - No Go to Part E- With No Brakes Applied, Measure the Voltage Between Pins 9 and 10
- IS THERE BATTERY VOLTAGE ?
E - CHECK DEACTIVATOR SWITCH Yes - Go to part F
No - Replace the Brake Booster Mounted Deactivator Switch- Remove the Harness Connector from the deactivator Switch.
- Measure the Resistance between the 2 Points of the switch, with no brakes applied
- IS THE RESISTANCE LESS THAN 1 OHM ?
F - VERIFY POWER AT DEACTIVATOR SWITCH HARNESS CONNECTOR Yes - Go to Part G
No - Check for Blown Fuse, or Service Circuit- With the Deactivator Connector plugged in, and the brakes released, measure the voltage between the Deactivator switch, and a Ground point on the chassis
- Is there Battery Voltage ?
G - CHECK FOR OPEN CIRCUIT BETWEEN DEACTIVATOR SWITCH AND MODULE Yes - You Must have goofed, Repeat Step D
No - Service Open Circuit between Cruise Control Module, and Deactivator switch- Measure the Resistance of the Circuit from the deactivator switch connector, to Pin 9 of the servo connector
- IS THE RESISTANCE LESS THAN 1 OHM ?
H - CHECK BRAKE SWITCH No - Go to Part I
Yes - Replace Brake Switch- With no brakes applied, measure the voltage between pins 4 and 10
- IS THERE BATTERY VOLTAGE ?
I - CHECK BRAKE CIRCUIT Yes - Go to test J
No - Service the Brake Lamp Bulbs, or Brake Lamp Circuit- Measure the resistance between Pins 4 and 10
- IS THE RESISTANCE LESS THAN 10 OHMS ?
J - Check for Stuck On Switch No - Go to Part K
Yes - Replace Switch- With no steering wheel buttons depressed, measure the voltage between pins 5 and 10
- IS THE VOLTAGE BETWEEN 5 AND 7 VOLTS ?
K - CHECK ON SWITCH OPERATION Yes - Go to Part L
No - Replace Switch- With the steering wheel "ON" Button Depressed, Measure the Voltage between Pins 5 and 10
- IS THERE BATTERY VOLTAGE ?
L - Check Vehicle Speed Sender Circuit Yes - Go to part M
No - Check Speed Sender and Circuit- Measure the Resistance between Pins 3 and 10
- IS THE RESISTANCE BETWEEN 800 AND 1100 OHMS ?
M - Check for Broken or Binding Cable Yes - Replace Cruise Control Module
No - Replace Cruise Control Module Actuator Cable- Remove the Actuator Cable from the servo assembly
- Check for Broken or Binding Cable by Pulling on Cable Ball slug to ensure throttle moves freely
- IS THE CABLE OK ?
Test 2 - If Cruise Control Speed Continuously Changes
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - VERIFY CONDITION ONLY OCCURES WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL Yes - Replace Engine
No - Go to Part B- Verify that the Engine is properly Tuned
- Verify that the condition does not occur when not using Cruise Control
- DOES THE CONDITION EXIST WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ?
B - CHECK FOR BINDING IN ACTUATOR CABLE AND THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE Yes - Go to Part C
No - Service Linkage as required- Check for Binding or Sticking Actuator Cable or throttle linkage and throttle plate
- Make sure that the Accelerator cable bracket and servo bracket are not loose
- ARE THE COMPONENTS OK ?
C - CHECK SERVO ASSEMBLY Yes - Replace Cruise Control Module
No - Bang head against wall- Substitute Cruise Control Module for Known Good Module
- Test Vehicle for Proper Operation
- DOES THE SYSTEM OPERATE PROPERLY ?
Test 3 - "-SET" / "DECEL" BUTTON INOPERATIVE
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - CHECK SWITCH OPERATION Yes - Go to Part B
No - Replace Switch- Disconnect the Harness from the Cruise Control Module
- With the "-SET" (DECEL) switch depressed, measure the resistance between pins 5 and 6, while rotating the steering wheel throughout its entire range
- IS THE RESISTANCE BETWEEN 114 and 126 OHMS ?
B - CHECK COMMAND SWITCH RETURN CIRCUIT Yes - Replace Cruise Control Module
No - Fix Short Circuit in Switch Return Circuit- With the connector connected, measure the resistance between Pins 6 and 10
- IS THE RESISTANCE GREATER THAN 1 OHM ?
Test 4 - "+SET" / "ACCEL/SET" BUTTON INOPERATIVE
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - CHECK SWITCH OPERATION Yes - Go to Part B
No - Replace Switch- Disconnect the Harness from the Cruise Control Module
- With the "+SET" (ACCEL/SET) switch depressed, measure the resistance between pins 5 and 6, while rotating the steering wheel throughout its entire range
- IS THE RESISTANCE BETWEEN 646 and 714 OHMS ?
B - CHECK COMMAND SWITCH RETURN CIRCUIT Yes - Replace Cruise Control Module
No - Fix Short Circuit in Switch Return Circuit- With the connector connected, measure the resistance between Pins 6 and 10
- IS THE RESISTANCE GREATER THAN 1 OHM ?
Test 5 - "RESUME/COAST" BUTTON INOPERATIVE
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - CHECK SWITCH OPERATION Yes - Go to Part B
No - Replace Switch- Disconnect the Harness from the Cruise Control Module
- With the "RESUME/COAST" switch depressed, measure the resistance between pins 5 and 6, while rotating the steering wheel throughout its entire range
- IS THE RESISTANCE BETWEEN 2090 and 2310 OHMS ?
B - CHECK COMMAND SWITCH RETURN CIRCUIT Yes - Replace Cruise Control Module
No - Fix Short Circuit in Switch Return Circuit- With the connector connected, measure the resistance between Pins 6 and 10
- IS THE RESISTANCE GREATER THAN 1 OHM ?
Test 6 - CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DIS-ENGAGE WHEN BRAKES APPLIED
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - CHECK BRAKE SWITCH CIRCUIT Yes - Replace Cruise Control Module
No - Check Brake Circuit, Fuses, service as required- Disconnect the Harness from the Cruise Control Module
- With the brakes applied, measure the voltage between pins 4 and 10
- IS THERE BATTERY VOLTAGE ?
B - CHECK FOR BINDS IN ACTUATOR CABLE AND THROTTLE BODY ATTACHMENT Yes - Replace Cruise Control Module
No - Service as required- Remove the Actuator cable from the cruise control module
- Check for broken or binding cable by pulling on the cable ball slug to ensure throttle moves freely
- IS CABLE OK ?
Test 7 - CRUISE CONTROL "OFF" SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - CHECK "OFF" SWITCH OPERATION Yes - Replace Cruise Control Module
No - Replace switch- Disconnect the Harness from the Cruise Control Module
- With the "OFF" Switch depressed, measure the resistance between Pins 5 and 6, whilst rotating the steering wheel through its entire range
- IS THE RESISTANCE LESS THAN 4 OHMS ?
Test 8 - "CRUISE" LAMP ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT FUNCTION
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - Check Voltage at Cruise Control Module Yes - Go to Part C
No - Go to Part B- Disconnect the harness connector from the cruise control module
- With the Ignition switch "ON", Measure the Voltage between Pins 1 and 10
- IS THE VOLTAGE APPROXIMATELY 12 VOLTS ?
B - CHECK CIRCUIT CONTINUITY Yes - Go to Part 3
No - Service Open Circuit in Loom- Measure the Resistance from Pin 1 of the Cruise Control Connector, to the Instrument Cluster Connector
- IS THE RESISTANCE LESS THAN 1 OHM ?
C - DISPLAY TURN ON TEST Yes - Replace Cruise Control module
No - Replace "CRUISE" Bulb- With the Ignition Switch "ON", connect Pin 1 to Pin 10
- DOES THE "CRUISE" LAMP ILLUMINATE ?
Test 8 - "CRUISE" LAMP ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DOES NOT TURN OFF
TEST STEP ACTION TO TAKE A - CHECK CRUISE CONTROL TO CLUSTER CIRCUIT Yes - Service Wiring, and Verify display is Off
No - Check Instrument Cluster- Check for short to ground in servo assembly (Pin 1) to Electronic Cluster Display wiring
- IS THERE A SHORT ?
- Disconnect the Cruise Control Harness Connector from the Cruise Control Assembly.
It is recommended that you take the vehicle out to a long stretch of open road for testing, as the cruise control system may not activate until speeds of more then 55Km/Hr are reached.
It is also recommended that you are prepared to switch the Cruise Control Off Manually, using the Steering wheel Off switch, just in case there are problems with either the Brake Switch, and Brake Pressure Switch.
NOTE : The Cruise Control Module WILL NOT Function if the Brake Pressure switch is not fitted, and connected.
The following Information will give you some idea of what to check, if your cruise control system does not operate.
To properly carry out the following tests, you will require a multimeter, and of course, a Cruise Control Module fitted to a vehicle.
Also, before carrying out the Pin-Point tests, it is recommended that you check the operation of the following,
Horn and Stop lamp Operation
- Verify Proper Horn Operation : If the Horn does not operate correctly, then check Horn Fuse, Horn Relay, and wiring.