bad cruise control

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ram15

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Mendocino, Ca
Ram Year
1999
Engine
5.9
Lately my cruise control has been working off and on unfortunately more off than on. The problem is when I set the speed I want it'll hold it for about a few seconds and then start losing speed. Has this happened to anyone, what do you think is wrong.
 

safetyfast

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Ram Year
1996 Laramie SLT 4x4 Club Cab
Engine
5.9
Check the vacuum tubing. The cruise control stuff is under the battery. The tubing gets brittle and cracks under there.
 

ramthis9501

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That and check the cable going from it to the throttle body and make sure it isn't frayed or caught up on something or kinked
 
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ram15

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I checked all that and everything seems to be fine, no cracks kinks or frays. What else do you think it might be.
 
Last edited:

Okiespaniel

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Work, Shop, Computer
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2000
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magnum, 5.9
Tes pprocedure from factory manual. You will need a hand held vacum pump to do this. Sometimes you can rent them from parts stores.

On gasoline powered engines: actual engine vacuum,
a vacuum reservoir, a one-way check valve and
vacuum lines are used to supply vacuum to the speed
control servo.
(1) Disconnect vacuum hose at speed control servo
and install a vacuum gauge into the disconnected hose.
(2) Start engine and observe gauge at idle. Vacuum
gauge should read at least ten inches of mercury.
(3) If vacuum is less than ten inches of mercury,
determine source of leak. Check vacuum line to
engine for leaks. Also check actual engine intake
manifold vacuum. If manifold vacuum does not meet
this requirement, check for poor engine performance.
² Leaking vacuum reservoir.
² Loose or leaking vacuum hoses or connections.
² Defective one-way vacuum check valve.
² Secure attachment of both ends of the speed control
servo cable.
² Smooth operation of throttle linkage and throttle
body air valve.
² Failed speed control servo. Do the servo vacuum
test.
(4) If vacuum line to engine is not leaking, check
for leak at vacuum reservoir. To locate and gain
access to reservoir, refer to Vacuum Reservoir Removal/
Installation in this group. Disconnect vacuum line
at reservoir and connect a hand-operated vacuum
pump to reservoir fitting. Apply vacuum. Reservoir
vacuum should not bleed off. If vacuum is being lost,
replace reservoir.
(5) Verify operation of one-way check valve and
check it for leaks.
(a) Locate one-way check valve. The valve is
located in vacuum line between vacuum reservoir
and engine vacuum source. Disconnect vacuum
hoses (lines) at each end of valve.
(b) Connect a hand-operated vacuum pump to
reservoir end of check valve. Apply vacuum. Vacuum
should not bleed off. If vacuum is being lost,
replace one-way check valve.
(c) Connect a hand-operated vacuum pump to
vacuum source end of check valve. Apply vacuum.
Vacuum should flow through valve. If vacuum is
not flowing, replace one-way check valve. Seal the
fitting at opposite end of valve with a finger and
apply vacuum. If vacuum will not hold, diaphragm
within check valve has ruptured. Replace valve.


DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ROAD TEST
Perform a vehicle road test to verify reports of
speed control system malfunction. The road test
should include attention to the speedometer.
If a road test verifies a system problem and the
speedometer operates properly, check for:
² A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). If a DTC
exists, conduct tests per the Powertrain Diagnostic
Procedures service manual.
² A misadjusted brake (stop) lamp switch. This
could also cause an intermittent problem.
² Loose, damaged or corroded electrical connections
at the servo. Corrosion should be removed from
electrical terminals and a light coating of Mopar
MultiPurpose Grease, or equivalent.


Since the servo/vacumn resvior assembly is below the battery is is subject to corrosive damage from battery acid fumes.
 
Last edited:

rambob

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LA/MS
Ram Year
2001
Engine
318 5.2l
I'm going to bet your a/c switches to defrost sometimes too.

the first thing I would do is get the vacuum check valves from a dealer. they are under $5. you prob need two. replace those and your pvc vavle. there is a post somewhere with the locations and part numbers.
basically it is on the pass side, right by the throttle body and then the other is same side, near the fire wall.
original-valve.jpg
2011-06-20_140640_check_valve.gif

if it doesnt fix the problem, then look into replacing the lines and the method mentioned above.
 
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ram15

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Mendocino, Ca
Ram Year
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Engine
5.9
ok thanks guys ill get replace the check valves and see if that does anything.
 

2K10HemiRam

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Hometown: Tacoma, WA Stationed: Alamogordo NM
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5.7 Hemi
I had the exact same problem with my 2nd gen and after getting a mechanic from the dealership I went to, to check things over real fast at no charge, the dealer i went to back then was cool like that, he said the most likely problem was the speed control servo. But of course, I'd recommend checking everything out first as described above.
 
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