Question about the AudioVox Cruise Control

[DOCTORBILL]

Instead of bringing back the old thread, I started this new one.

My AudioVox Cruise Control works quite well now in my 3 cyl, '93, Manual Transmission
Metro (The Phoenix).

However, I live in a slightly hilly environment and often, in the winter when
the engine is lower power, have to downshift from 5th to 4th.

What I do is tap the brake - then shift - then press resume - I have the magnets
installed on the transaxle.

I realized, while driving and thinking w/o Rush Limbaugh on the radio, that the clutch
has a switch on it to tell the ECM if the clutch in in or out.

I am tempted to splice into the wire from the upside of the switch normally open
and connect it to the brake wire of the Cruise Control.

That way, just as soon as I press the clutch pedal, the Cruise Control will think
the brake has been pressed and it will disengage.

Thus, while I am downshifting, the Cruise Control will go off immediately
and I can shift w/o pressing the brake pedal then press "Resume" and go back
to cruising.

I can shift rather quickly.

Does anyone have any reason(s) why I shouldn't do that?

If the clutch switch sends a 12v signal to the ECM, splicing to that wire and
sending the 12v signal to the Cruise Control also shouldn't hurt the ECM...no?

DoctorBill

[Hugemoth]

The way mine is wired it goes off when I press the clutch. I assume it is the connection to the coil that tells the unit to click off when it senses a rapid rise in RPM.

Q

GO HILLARY!!!

Just kidding. I support Obama

[DOCTORBILL]

Mine will also do that, but I don't want it to zip up in rpm.

I'd like it to disengage when I go to change gears.

What I am worried about is that connecting the clutch wire to the Cruise Control's
brake wire might confuse the ECM.

A 12 volt pulse from the brake might make the ECM think the clutch has been
engaged.

Would that cause any problem while driving?

Another idea - The microswitch on the Cruise Control Servo unit for Manual/Automatic transmissions.

What does that do when set for Automatic? Desensitize the CC to rpm changes?

maybe setting the CC Servo's microswitch to "Automatic" would allow me a
quick Gear change w/o the engine revving up so fast.... (?)

DoctorBill

PS - Maybe Hillary is out of the Primary with Osama's high tallies. Let us pray.....

[Hugemoth]

How about something like a trigger switch on the gear shift, tied into the brake light circuit. You could hook a second trigger switch to the "resume" circuit on the cruise control.

Q

[DOCTORBILL]

I was thinking of putting a Microswitch on the Clutch Pedal or somewhere by the
clutch lever on the Transmission Case.

But - being a lazy bugger, I was hoping the clutch switch (already there) could be used.

Necessity is the mother of invention....
..........(especially for lazy buggers)

DoctorBill

[Tiara_270]

So how did this work out Doc? Looking at adding one to my car. By the way you are my new hero along with this form, just found me a 1995 metro I am bringing back from the dead. Fixing to start your tranny rebuild adventure! Wish you were closer I would provide the wisdom juice while you watched and made sure I did not make any mistakes!

[DOCTORBILL]

My AV Cruise Control has worked GREAT ever since I put it in.

I used the Magnetic Pick-up so that as I changed gears, the setting doesn't
change - i.e. it is based on speed, not engine rpm's.

I tap the brake, change gears, then press resume.

Same for down shifting.

Lot of gentle hills here.

Has saved my butt from getting speeding tickets !

I installed the control wire to the gas pedal lever.
Hard to do and frustrating, but it works well once done.

If you do it that way, bring the cable in thru the Speedo Cable Hole and
make a gentle bend behind the steering wheel to the gas Pedal Mount.

Mounted Control unit just behind the Battery to the Strut Mount Bubble.

Have patience. Once done, you'll love it.

DoctorBill

[Hugemoth]

Mine is working great too. It's attached to the speed sensor wire rather than using a magnet on the axle. Originally I installed a vacuum chamber but eventually removed it since it didn't make much difference. Space under the hood is limited on the 4 cylinder cars.

Q