Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Operation






OPERATION

When speed control is selected by depressing the ON, OFF switch, the PCM (ECM for diesel) allows a set speed to be stored in its RAM for speed control. To store a set speed, depress the SET switch while the vehicle is moving at a speed between approximately 35 (56.2kph) and 85 mph (136.8kph). In order for the speed control to engage, the brakes cannot be applied, nor can the gear selector be indicating the transmission is in Park or Neutral.

The speed control can be disengaged manually by:
- Stepping on the brake pedal
- Depressing the OFF switch
- Depressing the CANCEL switch.

The speed control can be disengaged also by any of the following conditions:
- An indication of Park or Neutral (auto. trans.)
- The VSS signal increases at a rate of 10 mph (16 kph) per second (indicates that the co-efficient of friction between the road surface and tires is extremely low)
- Depressing the clutch pedal (manual trans.).
- Excessive engine rpm (indicates that the transmission may be in a low gear)
- The VSS signal decreases at a rate of 10 mph (16 kph) per second (indicates that the vehicle may have decelerated at an extremely high rate)
- If the actual speed is not within 20 mph (32.1 kph) of the set speed
- The previous disengagement conditions are programmed for added safety.

Once the speed control has been disengaged, depressing the ACCEL switch restores the vehicle to the target speed that was stored in the PCM's RAM (ECM for diesel).

NOTE: Depressing the OFF switch will erase the set speed stored in the PCM's/ECM's RAM.

If, while the speed control is engaged, the driver wishes to increase vehicle speed, the PCM (ECM for diesel) is programmed for an acceleration feature. With the ACCEL switch held closed, the vehicle accelerates slowly to the desired speed. The new target speed is stored in the PCM's/ECM's RAM when the ACCEL switch is released. The PCM/ECM also has a "tap-up" feature in which vehicle speed increases at a rate of approximately 2 mph (3.2 kph) for each momentary switch activation of the ACCEL switch.

The PCM/ECM also provides a means to decelerate without disengaging speed control. To decelerate from an existing recorded target speed, depress and hold the COAST switch until the desired speed is reached. Then release the switch. The ON, OFF switch operates two components: the PCM's/ECM's ON, OFF input, and the battery voltage to the brake switch.