Cruise Control retro fitting guide

[Contigo]

What I find is that if you leave the wipers in "rain detect mode" (one click down from off) they don't work until you reset to off then one click down again!!!! So annoying....

 

[spkennyuk]

What I find is that if you leave the wipers in "rain detect mode" (one click down from off) they don't work until you reset to off then one click down again!!!! So annoying....

Its a safety feature incase your wiper blades get frozen to the screen in winter.

 

[Contigo]

Its a safety feature incase your wiper blades get frozen to the screen in winter.

I assume to stop the motor burning out?

 

[spkennyuk]

I assume to stop the motor burning out?

That or tearing the rubber blade off if it frozen and burning the motor out if the screen is covered in snow and ice.

I only know because there was an explaination for it in my 159 manual. It makes sense particularly in colder climates like Canada. However you would think that they could tie it in with the temperature sensor on restarts. Above 2 degrees it could continue. Below 2 then you would have to re engage auto wipers. It should be a fairly simple task for the designers and engineers to achieve if they thought about it.

 

[CatmanV2]

Why would the rain sensor trigger if it's <0C and the screen is frozen?


C

 

[spkennyuk]

Why would the rain sensor trigger if it's <0C and the screen is frozen?


C

Because a rain sensor doesnt actually sense rain it looks for the amount of light being reflected back of the screen. If the screen has a layer of ice on it then the sensor picks up a variance in the amount of light reflected back to the IR sensor.

Its also the reason why you get the occasional random screen wiper activation in auto mode even when the screen is dry. The sensor has picked up a variance for whatever reason and thinks it is raining.

 

[spkennyuk]

I was looking at the Ghibli manual before and what do you know. They have now done what i suggested above by having the auto wiper function check the outside temperature first before disabling.

 

[hukent]

Cruise Control

i got it from these guys http://www.bridgwater-electronics.co.uk/

It requires splicing into the pedal pot wiring loom and there is a wire connection to the brake pedal switch, and you have to connect it up to the speed signal which is conveniently in the stereo wiring loom at the back. I got a stalk control and mounted it to the plastic cover around the top of the steering column. i must say it it quite unobtrusive and seems to work quite well. I think on a manual you also need a connection to the clutch and/or gear lever, my car is an auto so it was pretty simple.
On a cautionary note i have had more CEL problems from the pedal pot since fitting this, but i am not sure this is directly related to the cruise control, but it might be. The problem is I also remove and replace the pedal sensor in my car every week or so because i am still making these things, so my car is not a great example! So the errors are more likely the sensor as i am running one that does not meet its spec, because i sold all the others . I will fit a good sensor within a week and see if it settles down.

Finally got round to fitting this to my car, but i'm having a problem with it!
It accelerates hard when you switch it on, and hunts a bit when cruising at a set speed.
I've set the parameters numerous times, but to no avail, any ideas?
Regards,
Hu.

 

[jasst]

Here is my guide to retro fitting the cruise stalk from an Alfa 166 to your 4200, Spyder and GranSport. This guide does not include the 3200.

These items do wear so I WOULD NOT purchase a used item, I would only buy new as you will find that the indicator cancellation does not work and that is really annoying believe me.


Alfa part number: 156018005

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 90 mins


WARNING. REMOVAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL INVOLVES REMOVAL OF THE AIRBAG UNIT WHICH IS AN EXPLOSIVE AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL DEVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT AS TO YOUR ABILITY TO UNDERTAKE THIS JOB YOU CONSULT PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE BEFORE DOING SO. NO LIABILITY WILL BE TAKEN BY ANY PERSON ATTEMPTING THIS JOB FROM MYSELF, SPORTSMASERATI.COM, ITS OWNERS OR ANY OF ITS MEMBERS.


Tools needed:

• 3 legged puller
• Security bits set (ones with pin hole in the middle)
• Socket set
• Screwdriver
• Hammer

1. Turn off the battery and allow the system, including the airbag to decharge.

2. Start by releasing the central airbag unit. This is done by removing the 2 security torx screws behind the steering wheel:

View attachment 22719

3. The airbag unit will now pull out of the steering wheel:

View attachment 22720

4. Turn it over and prise off the multi plug:

View attachment 22721

5. Carefully put the airbag in a safe, cool, dry place whilst you undertake the rest of the job.

6. Remove the horn multi plug and earth wire:

View attachment 22722

View attachment 22723

7. Undo the 4 steering wheel to boss mounting screws and remove the wheel from the column:

View attachment 22724

8. Remove the central steering wheel nut, you don't need to remove the carrier:

View attachment 22726

9. Remove the 2 screws from the horn clock spring and remove the item:

View attachment 22725

View attachment 22727

10. Undo the other 3 fixings and mark the shaft and the boss with a punch so you can reassemble in the correct orientation:

View attachment 22728

11. Remove the upper and lower steering column cowling 2 screws on the face:

View attachment 22729

and a further 5 fixings on the underside. both sections can now be removed.

12. Remove the paddle shifter. This is not necessary but I did so as not to damage them

13. Attach a medium 3 legged puller to the steering boss and gently wind it up. It will let go fiercely, so be ready to catch it:

View attachment 22730

14. Feed the horn and airbag wires through the holes in the boss and remove the boss from the car:

View attachment 22731

15. Unclip the airbag cable from the chassis and remove the bearing bush:

View attachment 22732

16. Remove the 3 mounting screws form the paddle shift chassis and pull it forward and allow it to hang:

View attachment 22733

17. Undo the 2 indicator unit mountain screws:

View attachment 22734

18. Release the 3 multi plugs on the rear of the unit and remove it form the car:

View attachment 22735

View attachment 22736

19. This is what you should now have:

View attachment 22737

20. This is what you will be fitting is the reverse of the removal. NOTE: you have a new multiplug for the Cruise Control stalk. You have to remove it from where is is mounted on the Alfa part as it will not allow the cowling to go back on. This slides towards you to de mount it:

View attachment 22738

Refitting is the reversal of the removal.

I did this over the winter as part of my winter overhaul /upgrade program, woke her from her winter slumber today, and now I have airbag warning light on, have removed air bag unit and plugged back in again, still on. Anyone any ideas?

 

[CatmanV2]

Did you disconnect the battery before you unplugged the airbag?

C

 

[jasst]

Did you disconnect the battery before you unplugged the airbag?

C

Yeah, and left it for 30 mins

 

[CatmanV2]

Yeah, and left it for 30 mins

Probably going to need a code reader and reset then. It could be any of the bags with a loose connection, but it's not going to reset itself I suspect

C

 

[jasst]

Will a generic code reader do, or does it have to be SD2/3?

 

[CatmanV2]

Will a generic code reader do, or does it have to be SD2/3?

It'll have to be an SD2 / 3 or equivalent

C

 

[jasst]

Oh Bo***cks, nearest place will be miles away, and mot due in 10 days

 

[Twinspark]

Slightly unrelated but if my indicator stalk can signal left with no issue, has all the hazard lights working but can only indicate right occasionally does that mean my stalk is broken?

 

[sparkplug155]

I would say yes - not from experience with my Maserati but but from an old Alfa 75 I had. It could be a poor connection on the multi plug to the indicator stalk but I think it is more likely the contact within the stalk. Switch cleaner may revive it for a while.

 

[Twinspark]

I figured, since it doesn't seem to be related to the lighting of the car. I assumed that its broken so I'm going to get the 166 part and fit cruise control while I'm there, but the 166 stalk has that multiplug at the back which the guide says to dismount, but doesn't specify if I should cut it off or does it connect to the car to activate the cruise function?

20. This is what you will be fitting is the reverse of the removal. NOTE: you have a new multiplug for the Cruise Control stalk. You have to remove it from where is is mounted on the Alfa part as it will not allow the cowling to go back on. This slides towards you to de mount it:

View attachment 22738

 

[Navcorr]

May as well give the contacts a clean up whilst you're installing a cruise enabled set. There's a couple available on fleebay at the moment. Don't cut off the plug you mention - it connects to the loom.

 

[tan55555]

Sorry, might be a stupid question. My 2004 manual doesn't have cruise at present. Is it actually there, just not connected? If I did the Alfa stalk change I could connect it and get cruise control without needing any other kits/adaptors?
I did see someone had a kit fitted from Bridgwater engineering, this is really local to me, is either option preferable to the other?
It would be nice to have cruise for motorway journeys, with so much power I find the accelerator only needs pressing slightly so my ankle aches from being held flexed after a couple of hours.