Cruise control and aftermarket PCM/EMS

[A.J.]

The only major drawback to installing MegaSquirt is losing cruise control. My fifteen minute round trip commute is now an hour and a half round trip commute and 75% is highway. I was looking at aftermarket c.c. systems but I'm hesitant to spend $200-$300 on something that might not work or work as well as I'd like it. So it got me thinking, "would it be possible to wire up the factory switch and servo to the SMEC with power, ground, distance sensor, brake switch and possibly TPS and MAP and would it work?" I'm looking for input from people who might have a better understanding of factory c.c. and the SMEC or if anybody has experience with aftermarket c.c. systems that are currently on the market.

[tryingbe]

Can I leave my stock ECU in place to control non-EMS related gadgetry, while letting the MegaSquirt control the engine?

Yes you can-- This is what is known as a 'Parallel Install' and on some newer cars where the OEM is putting more and more responsibility on the ECU (more than just an Engine Management role) you may need to go this route. Some of the other responsibilities that OEM's are putting on the stock ECU are gauge control, cruise control, auto tranny lockup, etc.

http://www.diyautotune.com/faq/faq.htm

Installing MegaSquirt in Parallel with the Stock ECU

http://www.diyautotune.com/tech_arti...n_parallel.htm

[A.J.]

I ended up going with an aftermarket cruise control system.

I bought this universal kit:
http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com...global-cruise/

With this switch:
http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com...ontrol-switch/

And this throttle adaptor:
http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com...-bar-adapters/

I cost $276.60 shipped. I installed it this past weekend and it works great. If you need cruise control I highly recommend this kit.

[turbovanman²]

Very cool.

Hows everything working so far?

How's the MPG?

[shackwrrr]

GMs cruise control servo is self contained. Just feed it a speed signal, power, ground, and a switch input and it works without pcm control.

[135sohc]

Rostra is good stuff. They have gotten expensive though

[wheming]

I've got one of those kits, bought and never used. I had the RF switch kit and CC kit in my 03 Evo. Bought a kit for the van but never used. I need to post it for sale and bring to SDAC.

[A.J.]

Very cool.

Hows everything working so far?

How's the MPG?

So far so good. It works as well if not better than the factory cruise.

Don't know yet. I haven't run a full tank of fuel through.

GMs cruise control servo is self contained. Just feed it a speed signal, power, ground, and a switch input and it works without pcm control.

I tried installing the GM cruise control because it's self contained but couldn't get it to work because I'm sure my inputs were wrong. I'm sure with enough time I could have figured it out but I was tired of not having cruise in the van. I usually drive an hour one way from the far east valley to Phoenix to hang out with my friends and couldn't wait any longer. I also want to hit up the SDAC meet in Cali to show off my van and there was no way I'm driving six hours without cruise control.

[Reaper1]

How do you control the wipers? It looks like the switch stalk doesn't have a provision for that?

[A.J.]

How do you control the wipers? It looks like the switch stalk doesn't have a provision for that?

I was waiting for somebody to notice that. There are two set screws on the switch that lock the new cruise control switch to the wiper arm control. To install the switch you have to remove the factory wiper knob and turn signal cover. Then cut the turn signal shaft to the length you want and slide the new one on. Once in place you tighten down the set screws and now the WHOLE cruise control switch becomes the windshield wiper control. The only drawback is there is nothing indicating what and where the wiper control is.

[ShadowFromHell]

A friend of mine that is a long time mopar guy and a Chrysler tech for 20 years once told me the pre 86 cruise could be easily adapted to any mopar that has a speedo cable. The mechanical one that has the speedo cable going into and then out of it.

[mopar-tech]

A friend of mine that is a long time mopar guy and a Chrysler tech for 20 years once told me the pre 86 cruise could be easily adapted to any mopar that has a speedo cable. The mechanical one that has the speedo cable going into and then out of it.

Yes and I have done this.

Of note- I adapted also the now rare I'm sure stand alone electronic cruise control chrysler made for a few years around 87, it has a build in speed limiter which was annoying as hell. I think it would not go over 70 if I remember correct.

Gary D.

[turbovanman²]

Who goes over 70?

[Reaper1]

The stock cruise won't set over 90mph will it? I can't remember...I haven't used it on so long...the Z never had it.