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I have searched previous threads but could not find this problem mentioned. I have a 79 L48 automatic w/ cruise control. When I push the button to engage it does not work. If I pull slightly on the turn signal lever while pushing the button, the cruise engages but only accelerates. It's like it gets a shot of nitrous. The cruise disengages when I press the brake.
Any suggestions???
Here is the factory cruise manual from the 1978 Service Manual, it should be the same as the set up on your car. I suspect you have a turn signal lever shorting out which is not good news. http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...iagnostics.pdf
First, any of the three wires at the cruise control switch were shorted to the column (ground) you would pop the low amp GAUGES fuse. The red and blue wires have +12V ignition power while the third (brown) wire gets +12V when the switch is pushed to either position. (Note these are the colors of the wires in the column--they change at the firewall connector. At the speed control unit (transducer) the blue wire is now brown and the brown wire is now white.
Since the cruise control didn't have a "RESUME" function in '79 I see utterly no way for the speed to increase due to an electrical fault in the switch or the circuit. The only thing that could cause run-away operation is a defective transducer.
I would suspect some sort of mechanical problem in the direction signal lever and a transducer in need of service or replacement. If you search you can find instructions for cleaning/checking the transducer. Remanufactured units are easily available and not particularly expensive.