Cruise Control problems on a 1996 Chevy Cavalier

does the engine seem to revving real fast in neutral or park??
two possible things the throttle cable may have frayed inside the sheath and is holding the throttle open , has someone been turning things under the hood on the throttle body ?? is the cable routed properly in its groove. or the coolant temp sender on the intake
has faulted and is dumping extra fuel (talks to computor works like a choke for a cold engine) did this just start ?? or been a long time issue??

not being informed if it is auto or manual, here are some of the items that control the cruise control
brake pedal sensor ,
clutch pedal sensor,
vehicle speed sensor
engine ignition control module , tacho ,
vehicle speed --will disconnect if the road speed is below setting minimum speed
ratio changing
bad cruise control switch
wiring and connections
ecm problems
problem cruise control module

If the switch is replaced,then it can be wiring issue or faulty cruise control board.But as the switch is replaced,get the voltage at the switch tested to confirm the switch is actually receiving voltage.If no voltage received at switch power supply wire then ,apply external 12 volt power to the cruise control switch wire and then see if cruise control comes ON.If yes,then you know wiring is issue.
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On this case, to troubleshoot this problem, there are solved help links. Click the link directly and refer the details to solve this problem yourself, with help of diagrams: ------

Ford ranger cruise control not working? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-ranger-cruise-control-not-working.html

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Horn and Cruise control quit working?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/horn-and-cruise-control-quit-working.html

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Horn and cruise control not working on Plymouth Grand Voyager?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/horn-and-cruise-control-not-working-on.html

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Horn and Cruise control quit working on 2003 Jaguar S-Type?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/horn-and-cruise-control-quit-working-on.html

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Cruise Control stops working, Excessive cranks to start the engine and RPM goes max 2500

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/cruise-control-stops-workingexcessive.html

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Cruise control stop working on 1994 Ford ranger?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/cruise-control-stop-working-on-1994.html

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Cruise control not working?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/cruise-control-not-working.html

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1996 Ford Explorer: Cruise Control Wiring Diagram?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/06/1996-ford-explorer-cruise-control.html

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These will help.

Thanks.

The best suggestion would be that the cruise control needs replaced. The problem could be in your column but this is rare. Cruise controls can only take so much abuse and many people are unaware of the abuse they give. Constant on and off or accelerating manually while cruise control is on can burn up your cruise control.

The two problems should not be related to one another. The the fuses for the park lights and the cruise control. The license plate bulb is wired along with the rest of your park lights. If the rest of the park lights are working then check for power and ground at the bulb holder. If you have both there, check the bulb and the fit again. If no power or ground is there you will have to trace the wires. If the fuse is not blown to the cruise control, more information is required to trouble shoot any further.

Check the VVS (vehical velocity sensor) "speed sensor", The vss controls shifting and cruise control as well as speedometer. If the Cavalier shift's fine and cruise control work, the it's going to be a good chance that the speedometer n the instrument panel may have a bad connection or the stepper motor needs to be replaced. Get a service book and attempted to check for voltage going to speedo cluster( at dash), to determine if your stepper motor is bad and replace the motor or the whole instrument panel.
Good luck and thank you for using fixya.

should be on the multifunction switch if it has cruise control

If the wiring is good and it is trying to engage then the cruise control module is getting the signal to engage.I would try a used cruise control module.You can get one from a salvage yard.Good luck.

Well i can tell you it will not be possible to refer you to a mechanic without knowing where you live. The cruise control issue is also a tough one, if the dealer couldn't figure it out, that's pretty bad. i might initially guess a vacuum leak, but the whole cruise control unit might just need to be replaced.

Regards,
matt

no, replace the entire unit