Factory-type Cruise Control Installation

[ScottG]

I have a '98 Forester L, that I bought 2 months ago. It has AT and 163k on the clock. Being the L model, it was not well equipped. I've added power mirrors and I got a keyless entry fob from E-bay. I finally got it programmed properly a few hours ago.

 

Now, i want to add cruise control (cc), the factory type. Her's what I've added so far:

1. a cruise control switch for the instrument panel (from a 2001 Outback, H- 6)

2. a vacuum throttle control(mounts on the firewall directly in fron of the driver...has cable connection to the throttle body & a vacuum hose connection to the vacuum motor. This item came from a 97 Outback.

3. a vacuum motor that has a 4 prong plug(electrical) and a vac connection to number 2. (This came from a 96 Legacy)

4. a cruise control computer from a '97 outback

5. a steering wheel with the paddle cc control on it (not sure what year vehicle this came from, but it's exactly the same as oiginal wheel on the Forester).

 

I have connected all this stuff up to the proper plugs, but no matter what I do, I cannot get the cc to engage. What have I done wrong, or what mistake can anyone find?

 

I'll be out of town for the Memorial day weekend, & i'm looking forward to receiving advice & technical input. I've taken this vehicle on 1 long (5hr) trip.....and that was enough untill I get the cc working.

 

ScottG

[avk]

Since Impreza/Forester cruise control used engine vacuum and not a vacuum pump, the pin-out of the Legacy control unit may not match

that of the harness plug.

Maybe you could still find a NOS factory add-on kit for your model.

Edited May 23, 2009 by avk

[Scoobywagon]

Check out Rostra Controls. Just search for your vehicle and your set.

 

I'm pretty sure that vaccuum cruise control systems have long since gone the way of the dodo. I'd bet good money that that vac cruise you have is NOT OEM.

[lmdew]

Brake, clutch switches. You are putting a Legacy unit into a Impreza/Forster. I believe the Impreza or Forster units are different. I know my 98 OBS mouts the Cruise unit on the passenger frame rail in the engine compartment.

[idosubaru]

there are different cruise control set ups. seems like he just touched on that, so hopefully that helps.

 

you'll obviously want everything coming from the same set up and be reading info/pinouts/diagrams/FSM's regarding the same set ups.

[ScottG]

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

I think the fact that some of the components came from different cars (and different year cars) is the source of the problem. The main problem, I think, is the vacuum pump, which should sit on the frame rail above the catalytic concerter in the Forester. I used one from a '97 Outback, which bolted behind the AC filter drier. I also modifed the original electrical plug for it from a flat 4 prong to a square four prong. Since I couldn't get it to work, I took that vac pump out & have modified the plug back to original.....now I need to find a vac pump that goes in the proper spot & has the proper electrical hookup.

 

The advice to get all the components from the same vehicle is the best advice yet. Anyone have a complete cruise control setup for a '98 or '99Forester or Outback they might want to sell???? PM me.

 

ScottG

[Scoobywagon]

http://www.rostra.com

 

These are aftermarket electronic cruise kits. VERY good ones. With a little bit of work, you can get them to work with factory cruise handles.