cruise control sucks donky ding dongs!!!

[NSXer]

Does anyone elses cruise control suck? Even the slightest inclines cause mt H2 to downshift when i'm on cruise control, but if I'm not in cruise it will go up much steeper inclines... holding a steady speed... without downshifting. I can't stand it! Can anyone with a "re-programmed" computer, (removing torque management), tell me if their H2 still does this???

It is unacceptable to me!

[TheGoodHummerMan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MAC:
According to my observation..."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Mac,

Please try and pay attention. Maybe because you live on a mountain you never have this happen because you are constantly climbing steeply or descending???

The cruise control SHOULD kick in when going up STEEP mountains... If it didn't you wouldn't be cruising?

BUT, the issue at hand is NOT on steep grades, but rather on minimal, almost non-existant grades. For EXAMPLE: in my Denali I would be traveling down the interstate at 75mph and come to an overpass. The Denali would just go right over it, with no change in rpms or no action with the cruise control. Speed constant. No shifts.

Now, when traveling on the same interstate highway in my H2, going the exact same speed of 75mph, the H2 gets about halfway to the top of the overpass (the same overpass as in the previous example) but suddenly, abrubtly and with a huge lurch --- the cruise control causes the transmission to downshift, the revs jump from 2250 rpms to about 3100 rpms. The speed increases from 75 to about 78 or 79. Then since the grade is almost non-existant, the H2 quickly reaches the top and the transmission shifts back and the rpms fall back to 2250 and the speed returns to the preset 75 mph.

This happens on almost EVERY overpass. It is extremely noticeable and seemingly unneccesary? The Denali never did this, unless the grade was much steeper. Even then, the speed would pretty much (within 1 mph) stay the same.

I've noticed that you can get this sudden downshift to happen sometimes by hitting the accerate button on the cruise control a couple of times in a row (speeding up 2 mph).

Is this something to do with shift points or torque management?

Ed

Albie: I didn't know silicone counted...

[TheGoodHummerMan]

Here in Florida (the FLAT state) I immediately noticed a difference after being used to driving a Yukon Denali for several years. When I have the cruise control set at 75mph, it maintains the speed just fine, until I come to a standard overpass. About half-way to the top, the cruise control causes the transmission to downshift and the rpms go from about 2250 to a little over 3000 rpms and the speed jumps from 75 to about 78mph. Then, as we reach the top of the overpass (not a steep hill by ANYONE'S judgement) the transmission shifts back, the rpms return to 2250 and the speed drops back to 75mph.

While I don't know if this qualifies as being a suction event --- it is definitely irritating, and the cruise on the GMC Yukon did not act this way. I have noticed that when accelerating up to 75mph on the level interstate, the transmission seems to stay in third gear (about 2500 rpm) until I back off on the accelerator pedal slightly. At that point, the transmission shifts and the revs drop from 2500 to 2250. Not a very big difference? Is this typical too? Is that the "overdrive" gearing?

What is torque control management? (in fifty words or less?)

Is this what they talk about regarding programmers being able to change shift points???

Ed

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

[PARAGON]

The cruise control in the GM vehicles I currently have and have had recently are all the same, awful. It's really not the fact that it downshifts too often, it's the fact that it does not sense the need for higher rpms soon enough to apply the accelerator properly and then has to make a 1 or 2 gear downshift to maintain speed.

I currently have a 2001 Yukon XL Denali (6.0L), a 2003 GMC 2500 (Duramax Diesel) and a partner with a 2003 GMC 2500 (6.0L). All of them, even the Duramax, have the same annoyance with the cruise control as my H2 except it is not as noticeable with the Denali or the Duramax until you drag just a little weight behind it.

The Denali cruises fine on flat ground unless you try to drag more than 2000#. Then it can't maintain speed without downshifting about every 3/4 mile, even in Tow/Haul mode. You simply have to keep it out of overdrive. I had attributed this to the fact that the Denali has 3.73 gears but noticed the same type of annoyance even though the others have 4.10 gears. By the way, this is on highways in the flat delta land and by "flat" I mean surveyor's flat.

The cc is controlled electronically and I personally think it needs to be re-programmed. I have written this in each survey that GM has sent after buying a vehicle.

[Albie]

theGoodhummerman I've been to Miami and its not a FLAT State...LOL ( South Beach)

[TheGoodHummerMan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MAC:
"Ed has a way to go on and on and break down the letters and words that no man can remain sane and unconfused after reading his message. Just to think about how I need to tell the story again to make him understand makes me tired (how’s that as a clear sentence?) I have seen his victims unknowingly tried to answer his questions one by one, only to get trapped even deeper hopelessly. I used the cruise for a few miles on 280 freeway today, there is no flat freeway on 280 which runs through the coastal mountains, it was just not a problem to me. I’ll try the cruise again tomorrow, we have to go to San Jose tomorrow night for a dinner. Hold your horses."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Mac,

To be perfectly honest, your last message wasn't very clear at all. Maybe it's just me, or maybe you've been reading too many of my messages? The strain seems to be getting to you my friend!

Okay. Let's see if I interpret you correctly: You drove on the 280? It isn't a flat highway? It goes through coastal mountains? You experienced NO problems with excessive downshifting while on this trip?

How did I do? Is that what you intended to say?

At the risk of irritating you even more (a risk I am glad to accept) I think we are not communicating at all. I am getting weary of explaining to you that the complaint about the cruise control causing unexpected and unnecessary downshifts is caused when driving on FLAT highwways. You continually report that you have no problems and then state that you are driving in hilly terrain. I agree with you completely that when going up a steep hill the cruise control SHOULD cause the transmission to downshift in an effort to maintain the set speed. I am NOT arguing with you on this point. We agree!

But, on flat, level ground, the cruise control causes the transmission on MY Hummer H2 to downshift. Instead of maintaining a relatively constant speed --- the vehicle speeds up! After only a few seconds, the transmission shifts back into fourth gear and the speed returns to what it was originally set at.

Maybe your H2 does NOT exhibit this behavior? If not, I am thrilled for you... But it does apparently happen to others besides me. Why do you single me out for your personal attacks? Look back over this very thread and unless you are more weary than you sound, you should notice others reporting this exact same behavior.

If you reply one more time about how your H2 does fine while driving in mountainous or hilly terrain, I will stop discussing this with you, and place your name in my personal book of suspected terrorists. You might be impressed to know that yours will be the first name in my book.

Take two aspirin (if you are not allergic to aspirin) and get a good nights rest. Things will surely look better in the morning?

Ed

[MAC]

Chris,
1- These talks are no less valuable than your talk of valet parking Corvette.
2- I don't read half or 1/3 of the posts, because I am not interetsed in those topics, but I don't barge in to stop them from talking.
3- I am sure many members glanced at these posts and moved on.
4- Every post is a contribution to the Hummer forum, if you don't believe me, take a look at H2Fanatic site and see how pathetic that site is.
5- Non-technical BS posts can generate far more responses that dry technical posts, and these are the posts which build and bond friendship, which is what glue us together. I certainly do not really need to know any more about tires and supercharger, I can be just as Hummer happy without ever visit this forum again.
6- Smart people disagree, idiots always agree. Disagreements and controversies stimulate the mind and livens up the forum.
7- The bottomline, the success of survival of this forum depend on the posts, more the better, whethere it is about you parking other people's fancy cars or how cheap Ed is.

Ed. just remember I tipped the valet $2 at the country club where the drink is $5-$7 + tip, and it was not my $2. Now try to beat me on that. Dare to give $1 valet tip?

[TheGoodHummerMan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Big Z:
"What's so hard to understand? Either your system is working properly and you don't understand why it happening, or you have an electro/mechanical problem. It, (there's that word again) could be something as simple as a vacuum leak, a bad board, or defective trans part. You could be causing more damage by not getting it, (Your Hummer, trans, Cruse control, computer ect.) checked out."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

YOUR message was hard to understand. If your desire is to post messages that are unclear, confusing and not understandable you were most successful. But, is that why you posted them?

As NSXer mentioned, and as I would have thought that you realized, this forum is an excellent site for sharing information from fellow H2 owners. Thankfully many forum members post easily understandable messages that are helpful. Sharing information is generally helpful. For some reason, I didn't find yours helpful in the least. Maybe you were trying to be humorous and I didn't get IT? If that's the case I apologize!!!

"Either your system is working properly and you don't understand why it happening, or you have an electro/mechanical problem."

Thanks for stating the obvious. It isn't the least bit helpful, but luckily for me, many others have posted helpful comments and observations...

Ed

[TheGoodHummerMan]

Big Z,

I almost want to ask you what the heck you meant by "Another difference a lot of folks don't consider is the Different Gear Ratios." BUT, I won't! I'm sure I wouldn't understand your reply...

Quoting you: "I think I've been at this site long enough to know far more what its about..."

Did you forgot the apostrophe in "its" or was that just a typo?

You might know a lot Big Z, but if you can't write an intelligible message, "it" doesn't really mean very much.

Paraphrasing Bill Clinton, maybe "it" depends upon what your definition of ITS is? Get "it"?

What you've made perfectly clear and obvious from your last few posts is that you don't communicate well. So, I will simply skip over your future posts. Believe me, it's no big deal...

I would suggest that you have Mac help you compose your messages but he really isn't much better than you are.

Ed

[DURAMAX TIM]

White H2 Kid, I thought cruise control was the right foot firmly planted on the floor and let computer take care of it.

[TheGoodHummerMan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MAC:
"To lend you money to buy a supercharger will be like giving money to the homeless man to buy drug." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Mac,

Now that Greenspan has dropped interest rates AGAIN, I figure that is a sign from above that it's time to get that supercharger...

Oh please, oh please, oh please reconsider that loan? I need a supercharger really bad, man! I think I might be suffering from withdrawal (of power).

Don't you dare call me "wasteful, inexperienced, young and stupid"! I am NOT ALL THAT YOUNG ANYMORE!!!

Heck, Mac, I feel bad now, since you explained everything for me --- all I have to say is thanks for calling me cheap... I think? Cheap doesn't seem like a very complimentary comment by "my" standards. But since you intended it to be a compliment, I'll say thanks. Shucks, I'll bet you're really cheap too!

As you accurately pointed out, I have a ways to go before I really begin to get a good feel for the H2, while you and many others here have had a considerably longer time to get to know yours... Which is exactly why this forum is so great. Literally, y'all are sharing your experiences with everyone else. Good and bad, rear end collisions included...

Seriously, I believe that people can legitimately decide that for themselves a supercharger would be a ridiculous and unneccesary modification. In your case, if you decide this, how could anyone say you're wrong? Everybody brings their own unique situation and requirements. But I really don't understand anyone who would call a supercharger a fraud. Sure, the coke-can, super-swirlling, Tornado deals are a scam and selling them seems bogus to me. But, a "real" supercharger is a supercharger. Where does the fraud come in? The power gains are real and measureable. Whether or not it is necessary to supercharge the Hummer is debateable... But, fraud? Nahhhh. This is of course, just my opinion, and since I seem to change my opinion about my need for a supercharger as often as I change my socks, I might disagree with MYSELF by tomorrow.

I plan on getting that supercharger, but not to prove anything. Hopefully it will IMPROVE something.

Ed

Putting everything into perspective is the hard part...

[NSXer]

goodhummerman--> mine does exactly what yours does! very aggitating!! None of my other vehicles do that crap. (Expedition,F350,E350,NSX,Aucra 3.2TL)It's got to be the computer, because you can drive it "manually" without the downshifts! What gives????

If you like bikes... Check out http://www.usualsuspex.com

[NSXer]

what can we do? does anyone have an inside connection somewhere at gm? Surely, they didn't expect the cruise to work like it does! No way! I mean.... did they test it? Did the guy who was in charge of the cruise control skip work that day? Don't get me wrong... I love the H2, but for $55K, you expect simple things like "cruise control" to be handled!

If you like bikes... Check out http://www.usualsuspex.com

[MAC]

FYI. We went to Sunnyvale last night for a dinner with friends. The exact same freeway(25 miles ea way) and same Silicon Valley exit as last Sunday and Monday. But this time I did not use cruise control at all, the Hummer did not downshift at all, all the way up and down, fast and slow. 70-75-80MPH, 2000-2100-2500RPM. 80MPH usually 2250RPM but up to 2500RPM on few top of hills.

In the past trips, I used cruise and Hummer downshifted several times, quietly and smoothly.

[MAC]

Ed, If you want to carry on the tip subject, maybe you can start a new topic under OFF TOPIC. This tip discussion is getting old and too long, some poeple do not like to see that in unrelated tech section under cruise control topic. I'll be happy to join you over there.

"There you go again." I know you go on and on, seen you do that many times, always fun to watch, remembered you were playing with those 2 GM guys? Rule number one is never reply to your ramblings one by one. Most poor guys tried to get into this word by word game but never knew there was no chance that you'll ever give up, and that game can go on forever. In this one you are losing traction and not hitting the points, not your usual self, you got a bit too emotional on this one. Read my above post again, feel free to post 10 replies, but in OFF TOPIC. Sometimes it is better to wait 30 minutes to digest the post and come up with something far more meaningful, you usually do.

My cruise control is just fine, I have nothing more to say at this time. Surely you understood that?

[MAC]

When my Hummer downshifted in cruise control, they were quite smooth. At one point after midnight, real quiet without radio, I asked my wife, "Dowshifted, did you feel that?" She said "what? no."

She drove with 2 sons to LA once, 14 hours round trip mostly with cruise control, she didn't think there was anything unusual about the cruise.

I don't know if it has anything to do with driver's experience or expectation. When it rains, some feel depressed while I feel refreshed. It is 98 degree today, some hate it but I say it is great time for a swim in the 90 degree pool water. There are Hummer owners here said interior is cheap, not enough power and all kinds of non-quality complaints, but I think the Hummer is beautiful inside out and powerful. or maybe I am just too easy to please.

Ed, you are too cheap, experienced, old and wise to fall for programmer or supercharger.

[H2 Bill]

I think that the condition is "normal". The problem is that the H2 is a very large vehicle and fairly under powered. It only took one long trip for me to figure this out...I put a Whipple supercharger on it and programmed out the torque management and it cured the problem. Going 75 mph in a 6500 lb. vehicle that is shaped like a brick is pushing it. Anything that you can do to increase the power/torque will help, but you have to remove the T/M.

2003 H2 Hummer, Yellow,Polished Whipple Supercharged, Edelbrock ceramics, catback,18" Ambush w/mudders,lots of goodies!
Y2K Corvette Millennium Yellow Convert/Blk/Blk, B&B headers, B&B Tri-Flo's, H-Tech MAG,GMS MAF, RM Racing TwinFlow.
1994 Chev 454 Suburban, Blown, Doug Thorley
1970 Trans Am, balanced, blue printed, Hooker ceramics

www.4swimwear.com

[8MYROVER]

I had the same problem with mine. First, took it to the dealer and them reprogram the computer. Still was not satisified, then I got the Predator programer and that solved everything, except really steep grades where at around 60-65mph it will kick down to a lower gear. It is the GM torque managment and changing it actually improved my gas mileage.

[MAC]

First about the cruise control, there is nothing more can be said at this point.

Then we move on to tips, guess it is Hummer related for the simple fact that we are on Hummer forum. I’ll try to be brief.
1- Tipping is a foreign concept in most foreign countries, service is usually exceptional with no tip.

2- It is the employers’ responsibilities to pay reasonable good wages to employees so they don’t have to depend on tips and favors.

3- Mailmen make more money and have better benefits than most of the people they serve, to do their job promptly and correctly is their job, pride and honor, it is shameless for any USPS union employees to accept tips.
4- I pay 20% tip in restaurants because that is the system.

5- Newspapers are some of the most profitable and most powerful businesses in the land, the owners are some of the richest men in the world. The income comes from advertising. I subscribe and pay for the newspaper, it is the newspaper’s job to deliver the paper to my door promptly. If that is not enough money for them to pay good wages or to the delivery contractor, they should raise the price.

6- My annual charity donation usually exceeds the cost of a Hummer and I contribute 1000s of hours in non-profit institutions for decades. I know a couple big flashy tippers who refused to contribute money or time to schools, hospitals, community senior centers; I do know many people who are stingy tippers but donate 6 figures annually to charities. I am glad the schools now impose such community service requirements, and we are always by our children’s side to serve. That is far more important to teach the children than to be big tippers.

7- I do my job to the best of my ability everyday and every task. I work with the rude customers the same way I treat the nicest customer, same courtesy and attention to a $100 customer or $1 Million customer. At the convention, when I am talking to a small shop owner and I see my $3 million customer standing there waiting for me; I never abandon the small guy for the big buyer, I keep my eyes and ears on the person in front of me. I will not accept $1 extra payment for above the call of duty service, which is too common, nor will any customer offer it. It is a matter of pride, honor and old fashion integrity.

8- If you have to tip Hummer mechanic to fix your Hummer, why not tip the policemen, firemen, politicians, doctors, nurses or our soldiers? What kind of society is it when people only do their job right when there is cash waving in front of their noses?

[MAC]

On regular flat freeway with minor hills cruise control works flawlessly. Only on rare steep climb and when we were in the high country (5K-7K) with constant steep climb I noticed more frequent downshifts than driving the similar roads without cruise control. Doesn't seem like a "problem" or "suck" to me, thats just the way the engine management is built. I can leave it in cruise and not be bothered by it or I can cancel the cruise and drive that section of the road, I tried both, either way, not a problem and I have no complaint. I monitored the MPG, didn't see much difference either ways.