Cruise control & Tach - 96 Legacy

D

davemcc

As a follow up to an earlier post, some information about how this
project went. The project was to install a tach and cruise control in
a 96 Legacy (MT).

The tach was easy. Just remove the instrument cluster, add the tach
and plug everything back together again. This car did not have a
cable speedometer which made the job even easier.

Installing the cruise control was a bit more involved, but simple
enough. The existing wiring harness had all the required plugs and
connectors in all the right places. All that was missing were the
various pieces. There were also some issues around the production
date of our car which I will explain as well.

In the engine compartment, there were 2 main pieces to install making
up the vacuum actuator - the parts that actually control the
accelerator. One bolts to the firewall just behind and in line with
the existing accelerator cable and the other hides over on the right
side near the strut tower. A small diameter metal tube connects the
two. If you're doing this, you'll need to collect the metal tube from
the donor car as well.

On the steering wheel, you will need the hand control switch (resume,
set, coast, cancel). Disconnect the battery, wait a few minutes, then
use a Torx screwdriver to remove the steering wheel air bag. You will
need to cut the opening for the switch handle to stick out through on
the side of the steering wheel - the position is marked, but I had to
actually cut the opening with a knife and smooth it with a file.
There was also a small issue with the connector - I had to take it
apart to get the wires under and around other parts in the steering
wheel. Put everything back together.

While I was installing the tach, I also added the main cruise control
switch. It goes just to the right of the rear window defogger
switch. The wiring harness connector is there.

A switch needs to be changed on the brake pedal. Remove the brake
light switch and replace it with the combined brake light -cruise
control switch. There is a different connector right there for the
new switch.

A switch needs to be added to the clutch pedal. Don't confuse this
with the clutch start switch which is also there. I did, briefly,
until I realized what was going on. Remove the bolt and nuts that
adjust clutch pedal height and replace with the new switch. The
needed connector is right there.

The main cruise control module can be in one of two different
locations, depending on the production date of your car. One location
is behind the passenger side kick panel. On our 96 Legacy, the module
goes just above the clutch pedal - there are two bolt studs there to
attach it and a connector to plug in. The difference here is related
to the production date of the car so make sure you clarify which
you're dealing with. For all I know, the modules may be the same
internally, but the attachment bracket is certainly different. It
took me two trips to the auto wreckers to get this sorted out. Also,
according to the auto wrecker guy, there is no difference between
automatic and manual transmission cruise control modules but I can't
verify that.

That's it. It took me longer to find all the pieces than it did to
install them, but it works just fine. I will have to adjust the cable
on the actuator so the cruise takeover is smooth but the project was
simple enough.

Dave
 
As a follow up to an earlier post, some information about how this
project went. The project was to install a tach and cruise control in
a 96 Legacy (MT).

The tach was easy. Just remove the instrument cluster, add the tach
and plug everything back together again. This car did not have a
cable speedometer which made the job even easier.

Installing the cruise control was a bit more involved, but simple
enough. The existing wiring harness had all the required plugs and
connectors in all the right places. All that was missing were the
various pieces. There were also some issues around the production
date of our car which I will explain as well.

In the engine compartment, there were 2 main pieces to install making
up the vacuum actuator - the parts that actually control the
accelerator. One bolts to the firewall just behind and in line with
the existing accelerator cable and the other hides over on the right
side near the strut tower. A small diameter metal tube connects the
two. If you're doing this, you'll need to collect the metal tube from
the donor car as well.

On the steering wheel, you will need the hand control switch (resume,
set, coast, cancel). Disconnect the battery, wait a few minutes, then
use a Torx screwdriver to remove the steering wheel air bag. You will
need to cut the opening for the switch handle to stick out through on
the side of the steering wheel - the position is marked, but I had to
actually cut the opening with a knife and smooth it with a file.
There was also a small issue with the connector - I had to take it
apart to get the wires under and around other parts in the steering
wheel. Put everything back together.

While I was installing the tach, I also added the main cruise control
switch. It goes just to the right of the rear window defogger
switch. The wiring harness connector is there.

A switch needs to be changed on the brake pedal. Remove the brake
light switch and replace it with the combined brake light -cruise
control switch. There is a different connector right there for the
new switch.

A switch needs to be added to the clutch pedal. Don't confuse this
with the clutch start switch which is also there. I did, briefly,
until I realized what was going on. Remove the bolt and nuts that
adjust clutch pedal height and replace with the new switch. The
needed connector is right there.

The main cruise control module can be in one of two different
locations, depending on the production date of your car. One location
is behind the passenger side kick panel. On our 96 Legacy, the module
goes just above the clutch pedal - there are two bolt studs there to
attach it and a connector to plug in. The difference here is related
to the production date of the car so make sure you clarify which
you're dealing with. For all I know, the modules may be the same
internally, but the attachment bracket is certainly different. It
took me two trips to the auto wreckers to get this sorted out. Also,
according to the auto wrecker guy, there is no difference between
automatic and manual transmission cruise control modules but I can't
verify that.

That's it. It took me longer to find all the pieces than it did to
install them, but it works just fine. I will have to adjust the cable
on the actuator so the cruise takeover is smooth but the project was
simple enough.

Dave

Thanks for that. It's a project I've considered for a long time. I
usually travel v e r y close to the 10k margin over the speed limit
we're allowed and a cruise control would give that little bit more
confidence.

Cam
02 GT Wagon
 
Hi Dave!

Good Job!

ByeBye! S.

As a follow up to an earlier post, some information about how this
project went. The project was to install a tach and cruise control in
a 96 Legacy (MT).

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101
 

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