Early 70's GM cruise control button

[Guest Vetteman61]

I have found that there is a problem in the button or wiring in the column of my cruise control setup on my '71 Pontiac B Body. It's the kind with one button on the end of the turn signal stalk. I'm curious if anyone has ever rebuild one of these units and how difficult it is to remove from the column.

Thanks

[Guest Magoo]

I have found that there is a problem in the button or wiring in the column of my cruise control setup on my '71 Pontiac B Body. It's the kind with one button on the end of the turn signal stalk. I'm curious if anyone has ever rebuild one of these units and how difficult it is to remove from the column.

Thanks

Piece of cake. The cruise stalk is attached to the T/S switch just like a standard turn lever, with a single Phillips screw. All you will need are a steering wheel puller and a GM lock plate compressor to get access to it. The only faintly tricky part is snaking the cruise harness down through the column. Just use a piece of music wire or safety lock wire as a leader. You can use the old harness to pull the leader through.

To test the cruise handle, you can find the connector at the base of the column and check continuity on/off with an ohmmeter.

[Guest Vetteman61]

Thanks for the reply. I followed the flowchart in the shop manual and began testing out under the hood. It eventually led to me, as you mentioned, take the 3-wire plug loose from under the column and run a jumper wire between two wires and then run a test light from the 3rd to a ground and see if it would light up when the button was pressed. I see in the shop manual it shows a blown apart picture of the cruise stalk coming apart but I don't see any way for it to come apart. Is it held with glue? Is there typical, more common problem that goes wrong with these (small wires break or internal button problems)? Since these are hard to find and pretty expensive if you do I'd like to repair the one I have if possible.

Thanks,

[Guest Magoo]

I've never attempted to take the handle apart. The button installs in the body in a sort of trap door fashion -- is intended to go in but there is no (apparent) provision for it to come out.

[Guest Vetteman61]

OK, thanks for the responses.