For 1990-2009 cars

# Erratic A/C and Power Steering Operation, Harsh Shifting with Auto Trans, ABS Telltale On and Traction Control Not Operating, and/or RKE Not Operating Correctly on Vehicles with RIA Cruise Control

Subject: | Erratic A/C and Power Steering Operation, Harsh Shifting with Auto. Trans., ABS Telltale On and Traction Control Not Operating, and/or RKE Not Operating Correctly on Vehicles with RIA Cruise Control (Reprogram Vehicle Operations in PCM)

Models: | 1996 Saturns equipped with retailer installed accessory (RIA) Cruise control system.

Important: Retailer installed cruise control with install on any SL2, SW1 SW2, and SC2. It can also be installed on any SL, SL1, OR SC1 if it is equipped with one or more of the following options: Power Windows (A31), Electric Roof (CF5), A/C (C60), ABS (JL9), or Automatic Transaxle (MP6).

### Condition

A/C compressor runs 100 percent of the time without the cooling fan running and A/C button not depressed on HVAC controller or pressure relief valve venting refrigerant and compressor oil; power steering On 100 percent of the time, automatic transaxle with harsh shift condition ABS telltale On with no traction control, and/or the rear decklid/liftgate release does not operate from hand--held (FOB) transmitter.

### Cause

Powertrain control module may not have been correctly reprogrammed with vehicle options when retailer installed accessory (RIA) cruise control was installed.

### Correction

On 1996 Saturns, the cruise control system is controlled by the powertrain control module (PCM). Therefore, when installing a retailer cruise control system, an option bit, which identifies vehicle options, must be set in the PCM. (On 1991-1995 Saturns, the cruise control was controlled by circuitry internal to the cruise control module, not the PCM.)

Important: When reprogramming the PCM EEPROM options, make sure to use service stall system software version 32.0 or later. Refer to the procedures in the "1996 Retailer Installed Cruise Control Manual" for proper installation. (If you do not have a copy of the "1996 Retailer Installed Cruise Control Manual," call 1 800 828-2112, prompt 5, to order a copy.)

After the cruise control system is properly installed, the PCM EEPROM must be programmed with all of the correct option(s) on the vehicle by placing an asterisk next to all of the option(s) installed on the vehicle. To place an asterisk next to an option, highlight the option and touch the space bar, or type in the number corresponding to the option.

Notice: An asterisk must be placed next to ALL current vehicle option(s) on the "Select All Option" menu. If an asterisk is not placed next to ALL of the option(s) the vehicle is equipped with, the option(s) will default to "No" and will not to be programmed into the PCM. This could cause damage to certain components, or result in certain systems being inoperative.

The following list details the conditions that will occur if the required option(s) are not selected.

• | Failure to re-select "Air conditioning": Causes the compressor to run 100 percent of the time, without the engine cooling fan running. This will happen with or without the A/C button being depressed on the HVAC controller. When this happens, discharge pressures will become excessive, venting refrigerant and compressor oil through the pressure relief valve on the pressure relief valve)

• | If the refrigerant side of A/C has vented, losing compressor oil and refrigerant, and the A/C compressor continues to operate, internal A/C compressor damage and system contamination can result. (Refer to "Judgement on Contamination of Compressor Oil" and "Compressor Pressure Relief Valve" procedure in "Maintaining Chemical Stability of the Refrigerant System" section of the Leak" procedure in "Maintaining Chemical Stability of Refrigerant System" section of the "1996 HVAC Service Manual.")

• | Failure to re-select "Power Steering/EVO": Causes the power steering system to operate at 100 percent assist at all times, with no EVO control.

• | Failure to re-select "Automatic Transaxle": May cause harsh shifting conditions.

• | Failure to re-select "ABS": Causes the traction control to be inoperative and the ABS telltale to be illuminated. The ABS system will function properly even with the ABS telltale illuminated for this condition.

• | Failure to re-select "Remote Keyless Entry": Causes the powered rear deck/lid liftgate release through the hand-held RKE transmitter (FOB) to be inoperative. The power door locks still operate with hand-held (FOB) transmitter and power door lock switches, and the manual rear decklid/liftgate switch still operates.

• | Failure to select "Cruise Control": Causes the cruise control to be inoperative.