Can we do this? (aka The DIY Cruise Control Thread)

[AlexNet0]

The thought crossed my mind as well

[lunjiaow]

Yeah. its just two T30 torx bits on each side of the steering wheel. then just pull the horn/airbag off, be careful not to deploy the airbag and dont disconnet the airbag when battery is still connected. Its recommended to disconnect the battery and wait 60seconds or so to discharge power. I just wanted to check whats behind the steering wheel so i didn't disconnect the battery. Took less then 5mins to take out.

[IllusionX]

my dealer had remove the top cover of my dashboard, and they did remove the passenger air bag without disconnecting the battery.

[ozmdd]

Airbag pullers: its very easy. Make sure the battery is disconnected for a few minutes (I think the manual says 3-6, I waited 10), then use the CORRECT torx driver to remove the 2 side-bolts (you'll need one with a bit of reach), and it might take a decent tug to break the bolt initially, but then its easy). You should matchmark your wheel before you pull it. You shouldn't need a wheel pullet, just tug back-and-forth till it comes off. If you move your closckspring at all, read the directions on how to reset it. Its not hard, but needs to be done right or it will be an EXPENSIVE repair, and might set-off the airbag when you are turning. This is not a process to be afraid of, just take your time and know the steps. BTW - the "clockspring" is the name for the circular plastic unit behind the steerign wheel that allows all the wires to reach the steering wheel/cruise/airbag/horns and still spin the steering wheel round-and-round, where some very old vehicles ran the wires through a hollow center shaft.

[devinlamothe]

Originally Posted by ozmdd

Airbag pullers: its very easy. Make sure the battery is disconnected for a few minutes (I think the manual says 3-6, I waited 10), then use the CORRECT torx driver to remove the 2 side-bolts (you'll need one with a bit of reach), and it might take a decent tug to break the bolt initially, but then its easy). You should matchmark your wheel before you pull it. You shouldn't need a wheel pullet, just tug back-and-forth till it comes off. If you move your closckspring at all, read the directions on how to reset it. Its not hard, but needs to be done right or it will be an EXPENSIVE repair, and might set-off the airbag when you are turning. This is not a process to be afraid of, just take your time and know the steps. BTW - the "clockspring" is the name for the circular plastic unit behind the steerign wheel that allows all the wires to reach the steering wheel/cruise/airbag/horns and still spin the steering wheel round-and-round, where some very old vehicles ran the wires through a hollow center shaft.

The problem I am having are the torx screws on the side ... they seem really hard to get off lol. But then again I was using a regular screw driver ... would a torque wrench do it? Or should I be using more force?

[Shroomster]

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

The problem I am having are the torx screws on the side ... they seem really hard to get off lol. But then again I was using a regular screw driver ... would a torque wrench do it? Or should I be using more force?

no...the TORX refers to the head/socket....
courtesy of fakeplasticrock.com

[devinlamothe]

Originally Posted by Shroomster

no...the TORX refers to the head/socket....
courtesy of fakeplasticrock.com

No I know what torx are. I was just saying if a torque wrench using a torx head would do the trick.

I managed to get it though, the bit I was using was really crappy, so I ended up buying a new one and it worked.

[Edit]: Never mind, the wire that is connecting to the clockspring is the ground for the airbag and is replaced with the OEM wiring connection to/from the cruise stalk. Whew. Hopefully we get ours in the mail soon!

[enobmort42]

I was just reading this DIY a little while ago. I'm a huge fan of picture step-by-steps lol.

[marcus]

lolz funny about the airbag..i remember a video about an echo owner where the airbag deployed while hes drumming on his dash..knocked him out cold..

here i found it

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/115063...dude_out_cold/

[IllusionX]

the chances someone drumming on this steering wheel, the air bag deploying while someone is filming is VERY slim...

[Shroomster]

the tags for the video as well as the other videos recommended lead me to believe it's from a car insurance company....

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by PK198105

guys , easy wait for CTScott to confirm if this is doable. From what i saw in the wiring it seems it will work , but i don't want you guys to spend money if you need an extra control module for it to work

Sorry for the delay in looking into this, but I was away on vacation. I looked this morning and agree that it should work with simply adding the switch.

Here is a quote from the 09 service manual:
"The microcomputer which controls the cruise control system is built into the ECM, and uses the throttle position sensor and motor as the actuator."

The stalk basically just has 4 switches and 3 resistors. The quick and dirty test (without removing the airbag) would be to short the ECM CCS pin to ground. If the cruise light illuminates on the combination meter, you are good to go.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by PK198105

i think we need to be rolling above 25mph for the cruise to enable , its one of the failsafe conditions.

25mph is the minimum limit for "set", but the manual doesn't list a speed limit for the on/off function.

[Sir A.Y. Atoyot]

I just checked - my car ('08 5-door) doesn't have the wiring from the spiral cable to the ECM - nothing coming from that plug except the thin black horn wire. If the wiring for cruise were present, there would be two more wires.

So, installing cruise is probably still possible, but unfortunately it's not just a matter of adding a switch.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by Sir A.Y. Atoyot

I just checked - my car ('08 5-door) doesn't have the wiring from the spiral cable to the ECM - nothing coming from that plug except the thin black horn wire. If the wiring for cruise were present, there would be two more wires.

So, installing cruise is probably still possible, but unfortunately it's not just a matter of adding a switch.

My '09 has a blue wire in pin 1 and a brown in pin 3.

When I look at the models that the stalk part number is applicable to I see 06-09 sedans, but only 09 liftbacks.

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by PK198105

thats not where you connect the stalk to and the wire for css is already there,
wire 1 and 3 from the stalk is connected to 3 and 4 on the spiral cable

The stalk connects to the spiral cable on the steering wheel hub end, but the connector he pictured is the output of the spiral cable, heading towards the ECM. In his picture, the CCS wire (blue on my 09) is missing.

[Sir A.Y. Atoyot]

Originally Posted by PK198105

do you have that wire? the way i was looking at the ewd it seemed like these are used only as test points. either way it shouldn't be hard to just use the jumeper to connect the D3 with A21 i need to pop my cover to see better

I've done some research with the documentation that members have provided, and I can assure you that you need two wires coming out of that plug, in addition to the horn wire. One of them is blue and goes to the ECU. The other is a yellow ground wire.

[ka0sx]

guys, those of you who are saying few minutes, be careful, some car systems can take over an hour to discharge the sustaining capacitors, also ground yourself to prevent static discharge.