VX Cruise Control Issue

[scrano]

Sorry if this has been asked before guys, as I'm sure it would've, but I've been able to find the answer to some of my problem/s but not all.

I actually have three issues that I want to fix, the first one is an issue with the cruise control on my VX Berlina Series 11, it's also an LS1 if that makes a difference. What's happening is that I can turn the cruise control on, but it won't set at all, and I was wondering whether it was possibly an issue with the indicator stalk, or do you guys think that it might be something else? If it's the indicator stalk, am I right in assuming that I have to remove the steering wheel to replace it? If it's something else, then is there something that I should be testing for, and what do I need to do?

The second problem is pretty straight forward I think. Every now and then my indicators will turn on and stay on (they won't flash, but they'll turn off like normal once I've gone around a corner). I'm assuming that it's probably just a flasher relay, but I just wanted to be certain, because when it's happened to me, 5 minutes later I'll start the car and they'll work fine again.

The third problem is that I think my oil pressure switch has died on me, and I just wanted too know if there was a way to be certain. About a week ago the oil light flashed up on my car, and the driveline light was showing up periodically (seemed like when I was cornering and oil was moving in the sump or something), and I checked the engine oil level and it was down, so I went and topped it up with oil, but then the check driveline light came on and stayed on. The car seems to be running fine, and I've checked everything else that I can think of that may have set it off, but I can't find any noticeable fault. I described it too my cousin that has worked in spare parts at a Holden dealership, and he said that the LS1's are known to go through oil pressure switches, and that's what he thought it was. I just wanted to get a second opinion and any advice on how, or if I can check if it's faulty myself?

I apologize if these questions have been asked before (I'm certain they have), but I did a search on them, and the only post I could find was one that was similar to my indicator problem, which I already suspected was the flasher relay anyways.

I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions at all guys, and thanx in advance.

[accentstencil]

The indicator problem is most likely the flasher unit.
The oil pressure sensors is a common problem with the LS1. I have replaced 2 and recently my oil light and engine warning light have been comming on randomly again. I checked it out again and this time I noticed the connector on the oil sensor was very loose, so I unplugged it and noticed that the rubber seal was missing causing it to be a loose fit. I made a few adjustment and whacked an O ring in there and the problem is gone. Who knows, I might not have needed to replace the other 2 sensors.
Not sure about your cruise control but you do need to be traveling at around 40 kmph before it will set.

[pablo]

The cruise control not setting may be caused by the micro switched in the end of indicator stalk having dirty contacts. The indicator stalk with the cruise switch on the end can be changed over without removing the wheel, and is very simple to do and will take less than 1/2 hour to do. There is only one philips head screw to remove, the rest just clips together in place. New stalks are around the $35 - $40 mark.
The occurence of the indicator unit clicking without the lamps actually flashing is a sign of the contacts ageing where a few milli volts will track through the contaminated switch grease, which then triggers the flasher unit. ...These indicator switch assemblys can be pulled apart to clean and re-grease, but it is a night mare with springs falling every where.... Best to fit a new stalk rather fiddle around.

[scrano]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice, and you've helped confirm what I pretty much already suspected.

I know that the cruise control not setting has nothing to do with traveling under 40km/hour, because I know that this is the bare minimum speed that cruise control works on Commodores, and I've tried setting it numerous times whilst on the highway, so I think that it's probably the indicator stalk that's faulty.

I even asked my mechanic about the cruise issue a while back, and he said that at the worst case that the cruise unit itself might be faulty (I'm not sure what he was referring too when he said cruise unit, maybe the module that helps regulate everything), but that he didn't think that that would be the case, as he'd ever come across one or two other VX Commodores where that part was faulty.

Thank you for confirming that the oil pressure switches are a problem on the LS1 engines. I pretty much suspected this from what I'd heard from my cousin, and from the nature of the way it occurred, but the loose plug connection/missing o ring is definitely something worth checking, and something I didn't know about, so thanks for that advice because I'll be sure to check that first.

Thanks again for the advice guys, it's really appreciated

[goose202]

Check stop lights. Cruise won't be happy if you've got a blown globe (or LED stoplights, for that matter).

[scrano]

Yeah mate, I checked for blown fuses and globes when I first got the car and I couldn't find anything wrong, so I'm thinking that it's the microswitch for the cruise control on the stalk itself

[goose202]

This might help then

There's also a diagnostic procedure for the cruise. PM me if you don't have it.

[SirNemesis]

Also check the button on the brake pedal. If it is switched with the brake in its normal position it won't allow you to engage the cruise.

[gw0071]

I have A VT but can't imagine it being too dissimiliar. I cannot set my auto throttle. Where does the >40kmhr discrete come from? Can't find my Haynes...

[Kunu]

I had a similar prob with my VT awhile back..changed the stalk over and still persisted.I could turn the car on to acc and get cruise to light up but once started and doing over 40 nothing even on freeway wouldnt work till about few weeks back when we went to goulburn to meet the JCCC lads it worked fine once i hit over 100 it came on and worked since but mind you i hadnt used it for awhile either so maybe that effects it aswell,i thought was cruise box itself but as stated its pretty rare,test stalk first id say then try changing it over

[gw0071]

Thanks Kunu. I have tried applying an ohmeter across the relevant contacts of the C/C connector without any luck - suspect testing equipment. However, it still turns on - just won't set. Non-genuine stalks are about $50 on ebay as opposed to $120 for GMH's part but thats still not cheap if I don't need it! I tried a C/C elec conn reset to no avail. Seems to be crossing over into the dark arts. I will try your advise and attempt to engage >100kmhr...

[gw0071]

>100kmhr still yields nil SET. Drawing board?

[gw0071]

Tail/Brake lamps replaced. C/C engage now OK