Cruise Control Troubleshooting

[forjj]

My Cruise Control stopped working yesterday, and I wanted to get an idea of where to start troubleshooting.  I have the control panel just like the one pictured here:
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/CruiseControl.htm

I don't know what brand it is, or anything else about it.  It was working fine, I was riding with the cruise on, but had my hand on the throttle, just not gripping it, and the cruise just dropped off.  I still have power to the control panel, and the fuse is fine.  Any help would be much appreciated.

[John Schmidt]

A couple years back mine started to kick in/out...then out totally. Traced it to a loose ground wire on the relay. I have to use a relay since I have all LED's except for the headlight. Pulled the connector off, squeezed it a bit with some needle nose and replaced it. Been fine since.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Check and make sure your brake light is not burned out. These cruise controls use the brake element to ground the system.  When you hit the brake the brake system is powered up so the cruise control no longer has a ground so it disconnects. You can use a normally close relay to ground the system and splice into the brake light wiring for the trigger wire. Then when you hit the brake the trigger wire will open the relay to disconnect the cruise control. This method is the way it must be ran if you are using LED lights in the brake system as the LEd will not work as a ground for the cruise control.

[forjj]

What brand is the cruise?  I wanted to do a little more research before I started tearing things apart, and don't even know what brand I have...

[John Schmidt]

It's an Audiovox, CS100 I believe is the model number...or something similar. And please, don't use the terms "tear into" on the cruise control, it's usually something simple. First, do as instructed...check for a bad taillight bulb because it does ground through there. If you have LED's in the brake/taillight circuit, then you have a relay somewhere in the circuit and need to check the connections on it to see if any are loose. Simple things first.

[forjj]

John--Thanks for the info.  Relax, "tearing things apart" was just a figure of speech.  I'll check brake lights, re-check the fuse, etc.  I don't want this repair to be any more difficult than it needs to be, and I don't plan on taking the bike apart until I have some idea of what the cruise looks like.  Thats why I needed to know the model, so I can find out more information about the cruise control, and the specifications of it....

Jason

[John Schmidt]

There should be a connector down the line from the control pad on the handlbar. Might want to check for loose connections there also, and from that connector I believe(trying to recall without looking it up) there is one line with a fuse which may have blown on you. The first connector I spoke of I did away with by soldering the wires together and insulating them. Then made a connection under the seat where the servo is usually mounted on other than Interstates. That connector down from the control pad is subject to the elements, that's why I got rid of it and moved it under the seat.  This schematic might help a little, the thing referred to as "Control Switch" is the control pad on the handlebar. The purple wire is the ground we're talking about...has to be good. Good luck.

[forjj]

Thanks!!!  That will be a big help.  I am going to try some troubleshooting one night this week, I'll let you know if I get stuck....

Jason

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I had a wire break in the connection John is talking about. It was hard to find becaused it looked ok. I found it by accident when trying to unplug the thing. I resoldered it and all was good.

[Moonshot_1]

I'd say high probability that you blew a brake light bulb.

The fact that it was working fine then it wasn't would make this a pretty good bet.

Had the same thing happen last year.

Went on a PGR mission over a weekend and on the way down didn't have the cruise control.
Couldn't figure it out all weekend. Then I noticed the brake light wasn't coming on when I rolled into the garage. Oddly enough, a light bulb went off in my head.
Replaced bulb and tada.

[forjj]

Update--
I realized, I didn't mention this is an Interstate
I double checked the fuse, it is fine.
I checked the brake lights, and they were both lighting up.
I found the connector from the diagram, and I am thinking I will make those a better, permanent connection.  I like the idea of solder, or maybe just butt connectors with dielectric grease.
I found the servo(under the seat), so I can start checking connections there as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[N0tac0p]

anyone have any experience with e rostra, fully electronic cruise for the I/S?  i have an 01

[dreamaker]

I don't understand why people get electronic cruise on a bike, it seem like you trying to kill flies with a sludge hammer.  It appears you create more problems then you need on a bike.  I have a Vista Cruise, I just flick my thumb to shut it off, no batteries needed. In a car it may make some sense to me, because you can be somewhat relaxed, but on a bike you have to be awake and pay attention. The day I can't remember to flick my thumb or know what gear I am in, I guess I'll quit riding that day.
Just my opinion !!

[olddog1946]

I don't understand why people get electronic cruise on a bike, it seem like you trying to kill flies with a sludge hammer.  It appears you create more problems then you need on a bike.  I have a Vista Cruise, I just flick my thumb to shut it off, no batteries needed. In a car it may make some sense to me, because you can be somewhat relaxed, but on a bike you have to be awake and pay attention. The day I can't remember to flick my thumb or know what gear I am in, I guess I'll quit riding that day.
Just my opinion !!

My reason for putting on an electronic cruise is safety. The last thing I'd want in an emergency situation is to have to think about shutting off/releasing a throttle lock or having to try and overcome the lock while clamping down on the brakes. The electronic will shut of as soon as you hit either brake.
Just my thoughts on the matter.

[N0tac0p]

I've used the grip locks and they help, but here in the hills you are constantly adjusting the grip.  the cruise takes that out of the equation.  in the flat lands, i'd be on the vista cruise like flies on ...... well you know.