Check Engine light disables cruise control

Doug - Iowa · Feb 15, 2023

Can anyone confirm the check engine light on 2002 GM SUV (Tahoe, Envoy, Bravada, Trailblazer, etc) disables the cruise control? I find info both yes and no on the net. I've had this one to three different shops and the dealer, they change a part (outside air temp sensor, intake temp sensor, cam position sensor thus far) and it lasts maybe a week then the CEL comes back on. No change to performance, the vehicle starts and drives fine. Gas mileage is normal. However this last time the cruise stopped working when the CEL came on. Kind of the last straw for me, maybe time to trade it off but only has 120k on it. Thanks.

Sprint 6 · Feb 15, 2023

CEL should only cancel cruise if the code is vehicle speed related. My Avalanche has a CEL for catalytic converters and the cruise works fine.

Check the brake lights. If a bulb is out, the cruise is disabled.

Steve@Advance · Feb 15, 2023

I don't know about the cruise control, it's possible. Especially if the problem is somehow related to the cruise. The computer looks for out of range return signals, if something doesn't look right it sets the code.

Sounds like someone at the dealer is guessing and throwing parts at it. You can get a very cheap code reader and check the codes yourself, then either fix it or take it somewhere that cares and knows what they are doing.

Dennis P · Feb 15, 2023

I had an issue similar to this in aSubaru and a Ford truck, both were bad brake light switches.

KEB in GCMS · Feb 15, 2023

On my 2008 Suburban the cruise quit working when my brake fluid got low. Also had a brake switch malfunction that caused it. So I can imagine about anything would turn it off until you got it repaired.

Goose · Feb 15, 2023

Did anyone check ALL of the ground connections in the wiring system?

I once had a '99 Olds 88 that began doing bizarre things. You could be cruising down the Interstate with the cruise set, and if you hit the left turn signal to change lanes the cruise would disconnect, among other things.

It turned out to be a loose ground connection hidden inside the left fender.

dhermesc · Feb 15, 2023

I would get your own code reader before I let anyone swap any more parts. I had a 2002 Tahoe 5.3 and the knock sensor that is under the intake manifold kept going off (even after it and the wiring were replaced 2X). The check engine light coming on did not affect the vehicle operation at all - including the cruise.

used red MN · Feb 15, 2023

Until we know the code or codes and have access to a diagnostic tree for the code we are shooting arrows into the forest. I am going to say yes, an illuminated CEL and the cruise not working CAN BE related.
Edit to add: If the code is for the ABS it can definitely disable the Cruise. I believe they are required to have a separate diagnostic warning light though.

This post was edited by used red MN on 02/15/2023 at 11:42 am.

Jerrycpp · Feb 15, 2023

That is exactly what my 2008 Subaru Forester does. The code reader always says Small air leak. Repair shop says it is labor intensive to track down those leaks, so I bought a Harbor Freight code reader and shut off the light which restores the cruise control every time.

NDIHC · Feb 15, 2023

Depends on the fault and in which system. Transmission related, electronic throttle control, speed sensor related and some others definitely will disable the cruise control.

jimg.allentown · Feb 15, 2023

Actually, tracking dosn leaks in the evap system is really easy. All you need is a smoke tester. It took me all of 5 minutes to find the leak in my system. It took longer to set up the smoke tester than to find the leak.

Check Engine light disables cruise control

Doug - Iowa

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Sprint 6

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Steve@Advance

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Dennis P

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KEB in GCMS

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Goose

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dhermesc

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used red MN

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Jerrycpp

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NDIHC

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jimg.allentown

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