Installing Cruise Control 850
 

Hi there,

I wish to install cruise control on my 850 gle 1994 sedan (Australian spec). The car is quite optioned for its age; leather, alloys, a/c, etc. yet it never had cruise control. Has anyone retrofitted OEM cruise control here? And also, will I need to find many parts such as the module, vacuum pump, wiring harness, stalk, etc. or are they all pre wired and ready to go (I.e new stalk and it's done)?

I'm sorry if this has been raised before but I couldn't find anything out there to suggest it was a thouroughly discussed topic.

Cheers,
Diarmuid

No problem. Welcome to the forum. Most options are pre-wired. Not sure about the vacuum lines but everything else should be there.

I haven't but I don't think you'd need a vacuum pump. At worst you might need to install a "can" a reservoir to hold vacuum and supply it to the system during WOT when the normal vacuum drops. Do you have access to a wiring diagram so you can see if it's pre-wired ?? I would think the wiring is already there and you might only need to install the components.

If trying to install the factory stuff doesn't work for you let me know. I have a new Audiovox CCS-100 cruise control kit I purchased to install on a motorcycle that is still sitting on the shelf.

I have just retrofitted cruise into my 95 aussie spec 850

The bits you need are:
Switch (indicator stalk)
Vacuum pump
Pedal pull diaphragm
brake switch
cruise relay
vacuum hose and joiners

It is all pre-wired, plug and play, the only thing you have to route is the vacuum hose. Took me 2 hours to install myself.

You do need the vacuum pump - this is what gets the signal from the speed pulse to regulate vacuum pressure to keep it at the one speed.

PM me if you need more info, I'm in Adelaide.

Why do you need the vacuum pump ?? I would think a NA would have adequate vacuum but I've been fooled by my 850 before.

The vacuum pump regulates vacuum, increasing and decreasing it in sync with the set speed, to pull and release the accelerator. That keeps it at the same speed. Otherwise it is just constant vacuum and the pedal is straight to the floor

Thanks for all the tips and welcome guys, I appreciate it.

Kiss4afrog, I'll let you know how I go with the OEM cruise control unit first then maybe I might have to chase you up for that aftermarket one... Or then again, I could fit into the SV1000. Hmmm.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted but as I don't get back home to the 850 for another 5 weeks I can't do much on it :(

Thanks Brick850, that list is really helpful.

Great thread. I have a V70 here that is currently being butchered before scrapping. It has cruise, my 850 T5 doesn't. I'm assuming all of the needed parts are there. Can you offer any more advice please? I'm no mechanic, but have tools.

Brick850, any chance you have photos of your install you could post for Papariccardo ??

You'll need to get the vacuum pump from underneath the battery tray, the vacuum hose connected to it that goes around the engine bay into the cabin of the car, the switch which is also your turn signal stalk, the diaphragm which sits in front of the top of the accelerator (gas) pedal and it looks like a big rubber stress ball, and the orange? cruise relay from under the fuse box. Also the additional brake pedal switch that the vacuum hose is plugged into.

The vacuum hose starts at the vacuum pump, goes into the cabin and is then connected via a T piece to the brake pedal switch and then to the diaphragm.

Your car may have different vacuum hose routing if it is left hand drive.

You don't need wiring, all the wiring is there for the vehicle, in plain sight except for the vacuum pump wiring. I had two identical plugs under my battery tray, if one doesn't work, try the other one.

It is really hard to get this wrong. The relay only goes in one spot, it is color coded. The plug for the turn signal switch is clipped right next to the steering column (take the shroud off)

So in summary you have three electrical bits and three vacuum bits.

electrical = Relay - Switch - vacuum pump

Vacuum = diaphragm - brake switch - vacuum pump.

Oh and the vacuum hose goes on the smaller nipple on the vacuum pump, the other is just a breather for the system and is not used.

Sorry for the bad photos, I didn't take any when putting it in.

Thanks guys, I solved the problem the best way I know how. I sold the tired 850 T5 & bought a full spec p1 V70 T5 (1998 build). More hp, quieter, fresher belts/ pumps/ brakes/ suspension AND factory cruise. Changeover cost less than a grand, including airfares & fuel home. Win!