1999 Nissan Sentra Cruise Control

NISSAN99

MEMBER
1999 NISSAN SENTRA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

Okay, I'll try to explain the problem the best that I can. Basically, I can turn the main cruise control switch on (not the one on the steering wheel) and it will turn green. When I turn the secondary cruise control switch on (the one on the steering wheel), I will get a momentary green light on the dash. The dash light will immediately go back out and the cruise control never takes effect. The main cruise control switch (not the one on the steering wheel) is still green. A while back when this first started happening, I could hear a buzzing noise coming from the main switch and remember it getting quite hot. I really miss my cruise control (especially now that I have a job w/the perfect chance to use it because of the long boring drive there & back). Any help or input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi nissan99,

Thank you for the donation.

To diagnose the cruise control fault, a scanner would be required to retrieve diagnostic codes. If a scanner is not available, there are a few component test that can be carried out.

Would you be able to perform basic components testing? This procedure would require some patience and understanding of electricals.

The most common fault would be the brake pedal switch, if it is bad or out of adjustment, the cruise control would not work.

Is the speedometer functioning correctly?
Is there any malfunction indicator lights showing?

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Thursday, August 6th, 2009 AT 1:04 PM

NISSAN99

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Wow, you guys are awesome @ giving quick answers! I'm gonna have to donate more money! I do have access to hooking my car up to a scanner (I'm hoping that you mean the kind like Pep Boys would have). My dad has one that I can use. I called Advance a while back and they said that their free testing would not work for cruise controls? I would be able to perform basic components testing (of course w/help from my guy, lol). He does have more understanding than patience though. The brake pedal switch sounds like an interesting concept, but how would I go about checking it? The speedometer does function correctly & there aren't any malfunction indicator lights showing. The main control switch will stay green, but when I push the steering wheel cruise switch it makes the indication light on the dash blink frantically until I turn the main switch off. Thanks so much for your help!

LeAnn

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+1

Thursday, August 6th, 2009 AT 1:59 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Thank you for the compliments and sorry it took so long for this reply. I am not sure if your scanner has the capabilities so we shall start with the following trouble shooting list.

CRUISE CONTROL WON'T SET SPEED (INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES)
Perform FAIL-SAFE SYSTEM CHECK ,
BRAKE &/OR CLUTCH CANCEL SWITCH CHECK ,
STEERING SWITCH CHECK ,
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR CHECK
PUMP CIRCUIT CHECK .

FAIL-SAFE SYSTEM CHECK
1. When ASCD control unit senses a fault, cruise control operation is deactivated. CRUISE indicator light will flash until fault is no longer apparent. The following conditions can cause fail -safe system to operate:
Steering switch stuck.
ASCD pump motor power or ground circuit open or shorted.
Air valve power or ground circuit open or shorted.
Release valve power or ground circuit open or shorted.
Vehicle speed sensor faulty.
ASCD control unit internal malfunction.
Brake cancel switch or stoplight switch faulty.

2. Turn ignition on. Turn cruise control main switch to ON position. If CRUISE indicator light does not flash, go to next step. If CRUISE indicator light flashes, perform STEERING SWITCH CHECK .
3. Drive vehicle at a speed greater than 30 MPH. Turn cruise control main switch to ON position. Press SET/COAST switch. If CRUISE indicator light does not flash, go to next step. If CRUISE indicator light flashes, perform VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR CHECK and PUMP CIRCUIT CHECK . If no faults are found and CRUISE indicator light still flashes, replace ASCD control unit.
4. While driving vehicle with cruise control main switch in ON position, slowly depress brake pedal for at least 5 seconds. If CRUISE indicator light does not flash, cruise control system is okay at this time. If CRUISE indicator light flashes, perform BRAKE &/OR CLUTCH CANCEL SWITCH CHECK .

STEERING SWITCH CHECK
1. Turn ignition off. Disconnect ASCD control unit harness connector. Using DVOM, measure voltage between specified terminals at ASCD control unit harness connector while pressing each switch. See STEERING SWITCH CIRCUIT TEST table.

DVOM should indicate battery voltage with switch pressed, and zero volts with switch released. If voltage is as specified, steering switch is okay. If voltage is not as specified, go to next step.

2. Attempt to sound horn. If horn sounds, go to next step. If horn does not sound, check fuses. Replace if necessary. If fuses are okay, check horn relay. Check for open or short in wiring harness between horn and fuse. Repair as necessary.
3. Check steering switch. Replace if necessary. If steering switch is okay, check for open or short in wiring harness between steering switch and ASCD control unit. Repair as necessary.

STEERING SWITCH

1. Remove steering switch assembly from steering wheel. Using DVOM, check for continuity between switch terminals No. 2 and 3 while pressing SET/COAST switch. Reverse test leads and repeat continuity check. Continuity should be present in both directions.
2. Check for continuity between switch terminals No. 1 and 3 while pressing RESUME/ACCEL switch. Reverse test leads and repeat continuity check. Continuity should be present in both directions.
3. Check for continuity between switch terminals No. 2 and 3 while pressing CANCEL switch. Reverse test leads and repeat continuity check. Continuity should be present in only one direction.
4. Check for continuity between switch terminals No. 1 and 3 while pressing CANCEL switch. Reverse test leads and repeat continuity check. Continuity should be present in only one direction. Replace steering switch assembly if continuity is not as specified for all continuity checks.

BRAKE &/OR CLUTCH CANCEL SWITCH CHECK
1. Turn ignition off. Disconnect ASCD control unit harness connector. Turn ignition on. Turn cruise control main switch to ON position. Place gearshift lever in any position except "P" or "N" (A/T). DO NOT depress clutch or brake pedal. Using DVOM, measure voltage between ground and terminal No. 5 at ASCD control unit harness connector. See Fig. 5 . DVOM should indicate battery voltage. Depress brake or clutch pedal, or place gearshift lever in "P" or "N" position (A/T). DVOM should indicate zero volts. If voltage is as specified, go to next step. If voltage is not as specified, check the following.

Check brake cancel switch. See BRAKE CANCEL SWITCH under COMPONENT TESTS.
Check clutch cancel switch (if equipped). See CLUTCH CANCEL SWITCH (M/T MODELS) under COMPONENT TESTS.
Check inhibitor switch. See INHIBITOR SWITCH (A/T MODELS) under COMPONENT TESTS.
Check ASCD hold relay. See RELAYS under COMPONENT TESTS.
Check inhibitor relay. See RELAYS under COMPONENT TESTS.
Check related wiring harness for opens or shorts. See WIRING DIAGRAMS .

2. Using DVOM, measure voltage between ground and terminal No. 11 at ASCD control unit harness connector. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . DVOM should indicate battery voltage with brake pedal depressed, and zero voltage with brake pedal released. If voltage is as specified, brake and clutch cancel switches and circuit are okay. If voltage is not as specified, go to next step.

3. Check fuses. Replace if necessary. If fuses are okay, check for open or short in wiring harness between ASCD control unit and stoplight switch. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Repair as necessary. If circuit is okay, check stoplight switch. See STOPLIGHT SWITCH under COMPONENT TESTS. Replace as necessary.

COMPONENT TESTS
BRAKE CANCEL SWITCH
Disconnect 2-pin brake cancel switch harness connector. Using DVOM, check for continuity between switch terminals. Ensure continuity is present only when brake pedal is released. Replace brake cancel switch if continuity is not as specified.

CLUTCH CANCEL SWITCH (M/T MODELS)
Disconnect 2-pin clutch cancel switch harness connector. Using DVOM, check for continuity between switch terminals. Ensure continuity is present only when clutch pedal is released. Replace clutch cancel switch if continuity is not as specified.

INHIBITOR SWITCH (A/T MODELS)
Disconnect inhibitor switch harness connector (located on transmission/transaxle). Using DVOM, check for continuity between terminals No. 1 and 2 of inhibitor switch while moving gearshift lever through all gear positions. Ensure continuity is present in Park and Neutral only. Replace inhibitor switch if continuity is not as specified.

RELAYS ASCD Hold Relay (4-Pin)
1. Remove relay. Using DVOM, ensure continuity is present between relay terminals No. 1 and 2. See Fig. 1 . Replace relay if continuity is not present. If continuity is present, go to next step.

2. Ensure continuity is not present between relay terminals No. 3 and 5. Replace relay if continuity is present. If continuity is not present, go to next step.
3. Energize relay by connecting 12-volt source across relay terminals No. 1 and 2. With relay energized, ensure continuity is present between relay terminals No. 3 and 5. Replace relay if continuity is not as specified.

ASCD Hold Relay (6-Pin)
1. Remove relay. Using DVOM, ensure continuity is present between relay terminals No. 1 and 2. See Fig. 2 . Replace relay if continuity is not present. If continuity is present, go to next step.

2. Ensure continuity is not present between relay terminals No. 3 and 5, and between terminals No. 6 and 7. Replace relay if continuity is present. If continuity is not present, go to next step.

3. Energize relay by connecting 12-volt source across relay terminals No. 1 and 2. With relay energized, ensure continuity is present between relay terminals No. 3 and 5, and between terminals No. 6 and 7. Replace relay if continuity is not as specified.

We shalll start with this. If there is anything else that you require, let me know.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Friday, August 7th, 2009 AT 8:32 AM

NISSAN99

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks! I see that this is where I am at (copied from your reply):

If CRUISE indicator light flashes, perform VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR CHECK and PUMP CIRCUIT CHECK. If no faults are found and CRUISE indicator light still flashes, replace ASCD control unit.

Do you have a particular scanner that you could recommend that will be able to check the VSS or pump circuit? I plan on going ahead and buying one, but I want to make sure it will have the capability of checking these issues. I know they can get pricey and I don't want to waste money on one that won't pay for itself in the long run.

Thanks,
LeAnn

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, August 10th, 2009 AT 11:45 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi LeAnn,

Sorry I am not able to recommed any scanner for cruise control checks. Most scanners would handle engine checks but cruise control, transmission and ABS are another caetgory so the scanners might be rather pricey.

I have the testing procedures for the Pump circuit and VSS checks here for you.

PUMP CIRCUIT CHECK
Disconnect ASCD pump harness connector. Using DVOM, measure resistance between specified pump terminals. See PUMP RESISTANCE TEST table. Replace pump if resistance is not as specified. If resistance is as specified, check for open or short in wiring harness between pump and ASCD control unit. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Repair as necessary.

VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR CHECK
1. Raise and support vehicle. Disconnect ASCD control unit harness connector. Turn ignition on. Using DVOM, measure voltage between ground and terminal No. 7 at ASCD control unit harness connector. See Fig. 5 . Slowly turn drive wheel. If voltage reading fluctuates, vehicle speed sensor is okay. If voltage reading does not fluctuate, go to next step.

2. Road test vehicle. If speedometer operates properly, check for open or short in circuit between ASCD control unit and combination meter. See WIRING DIAGRAMS . Repair as necessary. If speedometer does not operate properly, see appropriate INSTRUMENT PANELS article for further diagnosis of speedometer and vehicle speed sensor circuit.