I believe that I have cruise control in my car. Before killing myself or others, how is the cruise control supposed to work? I have a stalk inscribed "Cruise " If, cruise works, we are good. If it doesn't work, I'll need to know how to get the cruise control working. I'm attaching photographs for reference. Thank you

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Operation of the cruise control is described in detail in the Owner's Manual, starting on page 17. You can find it on line here.

 

That cruise is non-operational. Vacuum ports on the regulator/transducer are capped. The electrical part in connected, but vacuum is not.

 

Probably missing the vacuum pod and associated hardware / linkage on the intake.

 

Does anyone still service these units?

 

Same question.

 

You don't need service so much as you need parts. As noted above, there should be two vacuum hoses connected to the underhood module. One of them goes to the intake manifold for a source of vacuum, and the other goes to the vacuum diaphragm which is what actually pulls on the throttle. The diagram below is from the '78 service manual, not the '71, but I'm guessing the situation is similar with your car.

The hose to the vacuum diaphragm actually goes to a Tee first, with one side of the tee going on to the vacuum diaphragm while the other side goes through the firewall and connects to a vacuum switch at the brake pedal. This is a back-up safety mechanism. Stepping on the brake pedal activates TWO cruise-control cancel functions. One is electronic and connects to the brake light switch, and the other is vacuum-based where stepping on the brake opens the vacuum line and reduces the vacuum to zero, thus releasing the pull on the throttle by the vacuum diaphragm.

One question is, is the vacuum diaphragm still mounted on the engine? If it has been removed, you'll need one of those along with the necessary vacuum hoses.

There is a very good trouble-shooting section for the cruise control in the factory manual, and I strongly suggest you get such a manual if you don't have one. You might get a replacement vacuum diaphragm and new hoses installed and find that the cruise control still doesn't work. This is where the manual becomes vital because it tells you step by step where to check for voltages and so forth. I found it invaluable in getting the cruise control on my '78 Toronado working again. In my case, the problem was the vacuum break switch at the brake pedal. The vacuum hose had become disconnected. I replaced that hose with a fresh one, and, voila, cruise control!