Constant throttle cruise control ?

[Ted Constantine]

Just to prove my ignorance, how would one put a throttle cable in a 2001 eth.

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by Ted Constantine:
Just to prove my ignorance, how would one put a throttle cable in a 2001 eth.

Just attach the cable where the pedal linkage connects to the wire coming from the engine dept. When you pull your throtle cable it pulls that linkage depresses your pedal and throttles you up. It works great for fast idle and on a 525 mile trip I got 25. 5 mpg with it set at 60 MPH on level ground. Your speed will vary so it works best out on the wide open road



------------------
2001 ETH/DEE ST 4X4 SPACE SHUTTLE

 

[illflem]

I'm still working on it. Found that I can get at the CC servo without removing my Optima battery,but probably couldn't get around the larger stock battery. Only problem is you can't see the electrical connection pins on the servo without removing it. I ordered the connection plug yesterday and will experiment when it comes in. Also talked to my local junkyard,he said the servo is the same for most all Dodge vehicles for the past seven years,the connecters are easy to come by.

------------------
95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[Amianthus]

I was thinking more along the lines of providing an artificial signal to the VSS on the rear axle to fool the PCM in thinking that the rear was turning. But having no specifications on signal input from this sensor, I don't know how the PCM uses it's signal. I think that the pick-up on the pulley is a good idea and may be the way to go.
Anyone else have any ideas?


------------------
'99 2500 ISB QC SLT (No Leather!), 4x4, 5sp w/McLeod, 4:10, BD-II, PE, PE-EZ, 4"exh. , Pac-Brake, A-Pillar gauge pod w/boost and pyro, Line-X, V-1, lights, siren, lic. plt. frame says "Diesel Fumes Make Me Horny!", and much more goofy stuff.

 

[illflem]

Amianthus,problem with fooling the VSS is that it has other functions besides the cruise,I think that tricking it will cause other problems. Putting a sencer on the pulley will work but will require a new CC,if you try to fool the exisiting one you'll be back to the same problem,an incorrect VSS reading.

 

[Andy Perreault]

This is a very interesting topic! It's neat to see how you guys are brainstorming together to come up with a solution. I feel like we're all sitting on stools at a workbench in a shop somewhere with a scratch pad and some cups of coffee.
I would welcome a solution to this, because I have a weird problem on my truck ('97 5-speed). When I have the Gear Vendor overdrive on in 5th gear, the cruise control won't work. It will work in 5th without the GV on, and it will work in 4th WITH the GV on, but not in 5th w/GV. But 5th w/GV -the top gear- is the gear that I would want to be using the cruise control the most, compared to any other gear! That's the gear that I use for top speed on straight flat interstates for hours on end. I called Gear Vendors, and they said they've had problems with Dodges with 3. 54 gears, it seems that the computer can't understand that the truck can be traveling that fast at such a low rpm. He said, "Some Dodges work fine, others don't, and we don't know how to fix it. " I know people (TDR staffer Scott Dalgleish, for one) who have the same size tires and gear ratio, and their cruise works just fine with the Gear Vendors on. My knee gets stiff when I'm holding the throttle at the same speed for hours on end, say, on I-5 going through the San Joaqin Valley.
What you guys are discussing might be a solution to my problem.

Illflem, I hope someday you can make it over to one of our NW BOMBer gatherings, we'd love to have you there.
Andy

 

[illflem]

Andy I will. I'm just a real wuss for winter driving, then when it warms up I get so durn busy...

 

[illflem]

Amianthus,I think for a situation where you aren't moving that a cable pull throttle will work just fine and is probably the most simple. What I'm looking for is a steady throttle while driving,a cable would be far to dangerous,especially with an automatic. I've noticed a 4 mpg increase driving with my foot rather than the cruise because the cruise is constantly adjusting the throttle. Just waiting on a connecter plug to see if my idea will work.

 

[yogibear]

Guys, I've got an idle controll from Diesel Services group out of Canada that I never used, got one from P S cause its easier to install. It cost me 252 clams to get it here, I would give someone a good deal on it. If interested e-mail me, and if you want, can fax the instructions to you. I think it would work for what you are wanting.
Larry

 

[Amianthus]

illflem,

I didn't mean to permanently simulate the VSS signal. Just temporarily. I guess I was thinking of using the system in a PTO application where the truck wouldn't be moving anyway. If you want it to be moving, HMMM?
My understanding is that the VSS provides the PCM with the signal for the Speedo, ABS, and cruise. There would really be a problem with the Speedo as it would run up your miles even though the truck isn't going anywhere (in my planned application).
What else do you think?

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by illflem:
Amianthus,I think for a situation where you aren't moving that a cable pull throttle will work just fine and is probably the most simple. What I'm looking for is a steady throttle while driving,a cable would be far to dangerous,especially with an automatic. I've noticed a 4 mpg increase driving with my foot rather than the cruise because the cruise is constantly adjusting the throttle. Just waiting on a connecter plug to see if my idea will work.

Iflem> I got 26. 5 MPG using my throttle cable this last week going to La. I am so used to it now that i prob wont even mess with this after market cruise. That clutch is absolutely neccessary to disengage the engine though.


------------------
2001 ETH/DEE ST 4X4 SPACE SHUTTLE

 

[thepitts]

illflem: any update on this item yet? Want to keep this on top.

------------------
Eric Pitts 2001 Properly Valved 2500 Qcab 4X4 auto Transgo shifts it 4. 10 LSD Weston Nerf Bars Smith built brush guard Command Remote Starter Scotty Air DD stage 1’s, PS boost module , elbow 32psi boost 247hp,657tq Neophyte B. O. M. B. er
The Pitts Home Page
Member GLTDR

 

[illflem]

Received a connector from the dealer,wrong one. Guess I'll have to hit the junk yard. After looking over the wiring diagrams more it seems that it may have gotten even simpler than I thought it would be. I'll post when I finally finish with it.

 

[Powder Extreme]

Well, I figured out how to do it, and actually was using it in a make shift way going down the road. #ad
The problem is devising a way to send a very fast signal to the cruise control solenoids. One little tap of the switch would give me about a 10mph gain in speed. Very hard to control while using it as an "idle up". I've got some ideas and I'm certain I will get it figured out. I'm even considering selling a "plug and play" box when I get it all working.

Jerry

------------------
2001 Quad Cab Dually, ETH, SLT Plus, Isspro Pyro & 50lb Boost, 275 injectors, Banks Power Pack FINALLY .

 

[illflem]

Jerry,alright, good to see some one else working on it!!!Did you figure out that if you leave the #2 servo wire attached as normal that the servo returns to idle when the brake is depressed?Will save some wiring. Did the servo want to leak down or did the rpms hold steady?
How about throttling down the vacuum to the servo with a small valve or restrictor to slow it down?You could even do it by drilling a small hole though a piece of round plastic or steel that fits in the vacuum tube like a coupling. Maybe even the plastic ink holder for a ball point pen will work. The longer the restrictor is the more it will slow it down. Adjusting downward would still be fast though,but that's ok. I have some solid round plastic that would fit inside the vacuum tube I could send you if you want to experiment,my smallest drill bit is 1/64,it may be too big,you could melt a small hole though it with a hot needle though. The smaller the better.
I am of the opinion that it can be done with just two momentary contact switches and three wires or just one switch and two wires if you use the brake for throttle down,anything else may be an overkill. -Bill




[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 03-12-2001). ]

 

[Powder Extreme]

After looking more at the posts, I think the '01 I have may be different. My system requires a ground input, not a 12v. One is constant all with momentary off, the other is momentary on. The third wire requires constant 12v and the 4th wire is a ground that gets broken with the brake light switch. At least mine used to #ad
I dunno what happened, and I ran out of time last night. The cruise still works as normal (surges) maybe I'm just losing my mind and the wire never did break ground with the brakes #ad


------------------
2001 Quad Cab Dually, ETH, SLT Plus, Isspro Pyro & 50lb Boost, 275 injectors, Banks Power Pack FINALLY .

 

[illflem]

Jerry,you are probably right about things being different. I know the clutch safety switch breaks ground on the older rigs,but somewhere along the line it was changed to positive according to reports here. The changes should just be between what's + and -- though.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

This one needs to go back to the top...

 

[illflem]

Wish I had more time to work on it, it's just not a priority right now. Biggest problem has been to find the correct plugs for the CC servo in order to do a clean job. One thing I have figured out in order to compensate for the very rapid pulse that the servo requires in order to have control without getting into electronics is a restriction in the vacuum line to the servo. I used a 1/4" barbed coupling full of epoxy in the servo vacuum line with a needle sized hole in it. It made it so a push button pulse to the servo valve only jacked the rpms about 100. Running the stock cruise with the restriction is nice on the highway, you don't hear the turbo pitch changing so much, hence the throttle isn't constantly moving, your speed will vary about 4 mph instead of the normal zero. Bad side is if you hit resume after slowing it takes awhile to regain speed. It caught me by surprise the first time, I slowed to 50 behind a slow RV, stomped to pass, hit 85 pushed resume and slowed all the way 55 before hitting the point where the cruise was on it's way up. You just have to help it with your foot. Great side is that I think my mpgs on the highway have increased about 3 mpg, but it's hard to be sure since I haven't checked it in very ideal conditions, but on a 350 mile drive, 60 mph with little traffic and a tail wind recently I was up to 27. 6 mpg. Driving 450 miles from Chelan to Missoula with cruise at 75 I got 24 mpgs, but this was with much slow traffic that I had to stomp on to pass, also two mountain passes to climb. I am leaving the restriction in my servo vacuum line and encourage others to try it, it really evens out the throttle in cruise which a diesel loves for max economy. It is also easy to do, all you need is a couple inches of vacuum hose and something with a small hole in it to restrict the flow, do it right at the servo under the driver's side battery.

I have much more experimenting on the constant throttle cruise, still don't know if it will mess up the PCM feeding a pulse from the wrong side as I've only tried it with the wiring to the PCM disconnected.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Just use a couple of diodes to prevent voltage from backfeeding into the PCM. Should work...

Ideally, we'd get this thing to work with the factory buttons on the steering wheel. Just eliminate the connection betweent he buttons and the PCM, and have the cruise/throttle control be a separate thing.

Back to the shop! #ad