Factory cruise w/ G56- work OK?

[JStrasser]

The 2006 CTD that we bought 2 months ago came without a cruise control. The dealer assured me that they could install it- "no problem". Well, 2 months later and after 6 individual days in their shop, it will only work OK over 60mph- below that it surges severely every 5 seconds- 4-5 mph high then 4-5 mph low, continuously. It is the Dodge cruise control kit, stalk mounted.

"Factory engineers" tell the dealer service manager that below 60 mph, I should run in 5th gear to avoid the surge. BS.



Anyway, those of you with the factory cruise and manual trans, how well does it work- especially at 50-60 mph? They will replace the truck if I drive a different one on the lot that has factory cruise and it works to my satisfaction. OR does the cruise work better on an auto trans?



Any input would be appreciated.



Thanks,

John

 

[RobertP]

i've got an 05 with the g56 and my cruise control does not surge below 60. i use mine quite often also. i have had my cruise on at about 45 in 6th with no issuses at all. hope this helps.

 

[JayWm]

Never tried cruise control below 65mph. But I will be towing my trailer back to my shop tomorrow so I will try to remember to set it for those speeds and see what happens. Is it doing the surging at those speeds while towing or not towing? If your going 50mph while towing in 6th gear I could see where that would give some issues.

 

[PTomlinson]

I've run my cruise control at 75mph, 70mph, 65mph, 62mph (100km/h) and 56mph (90km/h). All in 6th gear, most empty, but 2100miles of that was with a 5000 pound trailer behind me. No surging at all.



Seems funny for them to say that to run 55mph empty without surging you have to run in 5th at 2200rpm.



Paul

 

[JStrasser]

Never tried cruise control below 65mph. But I will be towing my trailer back to my shop tomorrow so I will try to remember to set it for those speeds and see what happens. Is it doing the surging at those speeds while towing or not towing? If your going 50mph while towing in 6th gear I could see where that would give some issues.

Thanks for the replies so far. I should specify- it is while driving w/o towing. Some of our state highways are 2 lanes with a 50mph limit. Like to set it at 55 or so. Can't right now without getting sea-sick.



Thanks

John

 

[ENafziger]

Mine works great as well... absolutely smooth and no surging at all when stock. After adding the TST box, the cruise would surge some, but the EZ stack dampened that back to a stock feel again. There should only be a 2-3 mph deviation with cruise, and it's so smooth that you don't notice if you aren't watching the speedometer closely.

 

[wcjp]

I'll try to remember to test mine during tonite's commute. I've never used the cruise below 60mph to date. When I have used the cruise it's been very smooth.

 

[JStrasser]

... Seems funny for them to say that to run 55mph empty without surging you have to run in 5th at 2200rpm.



Paul

My thought exactly. I run in 6th gear at those speeds when I am not using CC. Why should I have to downshift, spinning the motor faster just to use cruise? That is certainly is not going to improve my mpg's.



In defense of the dealer, the sales manager is being upfront in his offer of a truck replacement. Hopefully it will go well with no surprises.



John



Love this truck EXCEPT for the #&!!%## cruise control

 

[JStrasser]

UPDATE on the cruise control add-on disaster.



The dealer has a reg cab CTD, 6 speed, cruise control that they wanted me to drive to compare with the add-on that they had installed in my truck. Just got back from driving it.



Night and day difference. Where the one that they had added on surges at anything below 60 in 6th gear, the factory CC will go happily and smoothly maintain 37mph in 6th with no problems. Even went up and down some rolling hills at that speed- no problems.



They now want to order all the actual factory parts to place on my truck. I'm patient, I'll wait to hear their response. But my thoughts are about the holes that they cut, wires spliced into, to install the CC that doesn't work right.



This isn't settled yet.



Thanks for all your input.



John

 

[d.miner]

I'm not sure if it applies in this situation but with the 02 I had the ECM had to have cruise built in.

 

[JStrasser]

Thanks- yes the ECM will be switched out to get a "factory" CC.



John

 

[TowPro]

Mine works great. In the 2gen trucks they has some surging but its gone on my 06. now if they would just allow it to work below 35mph (like all the german cars do). I use it to prevent speeding tickets.

 

[DPKetchum]

Added the FACTORY cruise on several 2nd generations. No issues and NO ecm replacement. Very simple to install about a hour or. Everthing is wired and set to work except servo and steering wheel buttons. Added one on my 2nd gen. No reflash no nothing except what I listed. Sounds like a defective servo maybe on the new parts.

 

[betterthanstock]

Added the FACTORY cruise on several 2nd generations. No issues and NO ecm replacement. Very simple to install about a hour or. Everthing is wired and set to work except servo and steering wheel buttons. Added one on my 2nd gen. No reflash no nothing except what I listed. Sounds like a defective servo maybe on the new parts.

The 03-04 auto trans still have a vacuum servo, but the sticks have had no mechanical parts since 03, just the steering wheel buttons hooked to the ECM.

Hence, the new ECM he needs (it shows they are incapable of flashing the correct software).

I use my cruise all the time to lengthen the life of the foot potentiometer, since it stays at idle while on cruise, unlike the old servo, which moves your pedal all the time.

 

[DPKetchum]

You'd think as in the past vehicles WITHOUT cruise(which is rare) that the ECM's would be identical with the use of a fast paced production line.

 

[wcjp]

Tested my Mega w/G56 and cruise. No problems, very smooth.

 

[betterthanstock]

You'd think as in the past vehicles WITHOUT cruise(which is rare) that the ECM's would be identical with the use of a fast paced production line.

The EPA has placed vehicles into certain groups. If your car/truck comes with certain options, let's say auto transmission, it can never be reprogrammed for stick shift. Same when it comes to upgrading power, etc.

Your ECM can only accept software for your specific vehicle, and it must be newer than the last revision programmed in, so you can never go back to an older software. One would think that Cruise ought to be built-in, but if they have a buggy version for his engine, and they are unable to reflash his with the proper version, then, they need to replace it. It's less money than writing a custom software for his truck.

 

[JStrasser]

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE



They finally realized that the aftermarket KRAP was a really bad idea. Called me last Monday to say that they had all the factory pieces. TOOK THEM LESS THAN 4 HOURS. And after all these weeks of "pharting" around with the non-factory stuff.

Works just like the factory CC.



The frustration is over.



Thanks for all your input.



John

 

[flyairam]

no surge in sixth or any other gear all the way down to 35 mph.

'06, factory cruise.

 

[DPKetchum]

I didn't realize that it was a AFTERMARKET cruise they were farting with :--)