Problem was intermittent drop-out of 99 Buick Century cruise-control. Removed felt cover belows steering column (easy); Observed two nylon switch-assemblies....both operated simultaneously by metal tab attached to the brake pedal. Both were quite loose....mounted by a nylon nut on a threaded shaft.....quite difficult to reach or maneuver to re-tighten the nylon nuts . I gave up on trying to tighten the nuts , but there is a convenient bolt-and-washer that holds the steering column, nearby. I took a small length of steel wire (6 or 7") under the bolt/washer. I used a piece of #10 copper-clad steel, but larger size coat hanger wire (or double up with the smaller size) would probably be strong enough. I improvised so that the shorter end extended up to hold the smaller upper switch, and the longer end extended behind the larger switch to hold them forward toward the brake pedal. Trick: leave the bolt/washer loose about 1/8" while positioning steel wires, so that tension will be added when the bolt is tightened. (This is the same action that would occur if you could tighten the nylon nuts). I dobbed some RTV adhesive on the steel wires to prevent them from slipping due to vibration. Note: A quicker and easier fix might be to improvise a tin or perhaps even alumimum foil "shim" to wrap aroung the steel tab, or plate that is attached to the brake pedal. However, this might only be a temporary fix because, the nylon switch assemblies would probably continue to shake still looser.
- posted
19 years ago