Ahhhh I Need Help Please

[Honzo]

I recently installed a system in my car and now the brake lights stay on as though i'm on the brakes even when i'm not... i can't find any wiring problems so i'm thinking i just knocked something loose??? also, this isn't as big of a deal, but my cruise control isn't working either... where is the cruise computer located so i can see if i knocked something loose...

EDIT: ALSO! a semi-related question. What is the wire that connects to the radio but its just one lone wire in its harness. it obviously has no purpose in the aftermarket system, but whats it for in the factory system that it needs its own giant connector?

[wanderingmind]

Check all of your fuses. When installing systems, blown fuses are usually the cause of problems.

[kymi]

I recently installed a system in my car and now the brake lights stay on as though i'm on the brakes even when i'm not... i can't find any wiring problems so i'm thinking i just knocked something loose??? also, this isn't as big of a deal, but my cruise control isn't working either... where is the cruise computer located so i can see if i knocked something loose...

There is no separate cruise control computer, the cruise control "computer" is built in the cruise control module in the engine bay. You can test it's connection with your horn, it doesn't work if the cruise control module is disconnected.

Have you checked the brake pedal switches & their wires? In cruise controlled car there should be two switches, one for brake light & cruise (black), another for cruise emergency (green, when you brake hard, it should disengage the throttle faster). And if the car is manual, it should have red switch in the clutch pedal, really close to these two brake switches (but this doesn't light your brake lights). If you have all panels in place, these switches are pita to install/check. But those are anyway easy to pop off, just twist a little and the spring pops it out. Just follow the brake pedal up and you can find them. Mirror or small digital camera or something should help up if you can't see. I remember seeing a pic of separate pedal assembly in the forums in a last few days.

EDIT: Found it: Pedal assemblies (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/lbizboy/DSC04713.jpg), originally in FS/Parts: FS: IMRC cover, cd changer cable, clutch pedal assemblies, etc (http://www.newcougar.org/forums/fs-automotive-parts-accessories/116276-fs-imrc-cover-cd-changer-cable-clutch-pedal-assemblies-etc.html)

EDIT: ALSO! a semi-related question. What is the wire that connects to the radio but its just one lone wire in its harness. it obviously has no purpose in the aftermarket system, but whats it for in the factory system that it needs its own giant connector?

I think you mean the car speed signal wire. Not sure, but if I remember correctly that plug is also for radio remote control.

[Honzo]

YES!
thank you so much, it was the pedal switch. it had fallen out of the metal bracket os it was a 30 second fix...
as for the cruise, the horn DOES work, so i'm not sure what to do as far as that goes but all i can say is when I turn it on and set the speed, it doesn't give the green light in my cluster nor does it... well, work. It doesn't engage. any ideas?

and could the car speed signal wire in the stereo have anything to do with my cruise not working? and if you mean steering wheel controls by radio remote controls, my car doesn't have them (if they're even an option) so that could very well be what its for (seeing as it only has one wire in my car).

[Excelcier]

YES!
thank you so much, it was the pedal switch. it had fallen out of the metal bracket os it was a 30 second fix...
as for the cruise, the horn DOES work, so i'm not sure what to do as far as that goes but all i can say is when I turn it on and set the speed, it doesn't give the green light in my cluster nor does it... well, work. It doesn't engage. any ideas?

and could the car speed signal wire in the stereo have anything to do with my cruise not working? and if you mean steering wheel controls by radio remote controls, my car doesn't have them (if they're even an option) so that could very well be what its for (seeing as it only has one wire in my car).

Yes, that lone wire is the VSS ( vehicle speed signal ) which has nothing to do with cruise control. That wire comes from the wheel pulse counter in the vehicle, to the engine control unit then out to splice to the cluster ( hence your speedometer ) and the radio ( for speed compensated volume ). That wire is used for stock radios only OR it is also used for aftermarket GPS navigation systems that have an input option for speed control to make its measurements more accurate.

[Honzo]

ahh, now that makes alot of sense...
i solved the cruse control problem though :P
silly me, i didn't even think about the fact that if my brake lights are constantly lit, its going to think i'm on the brakes and not let me engage it, duh!
so everything is in working order :D