Bendix Cruise Control and Throttle control??

Frank W. · #1 05-11-2008

Leaving Maxton I heard a squealing and on checking belts found they were loose. This week got to it and on opening up the front could see the main pully "cart" was loose. I tightened it up per Mr. Finns guide and thats off the list now. And since the front end is open...

my cruise control became intermittent on the way home...and I want to check the components. What I have thought was part of the Bendix cruise control is just the controller for the air pump. Where are the main CC components so I can check wiring, etc? I have looked and cannot find the controller or the actuator?

Thanks for any pointers

Frank W
85FC33
Woodbridge, VA.

Turbokitty · #2 05-11-2008

Dear Frank,

On my 1983 the guts of the cruise control are behind the battery compartment. They are accessible from the engine side looking out as if through the battery tray. They are behind a black metal cover. The "black Box" is about 8" X 16". Facing forward coming out of the box will be a metal stranded cable going up to the gas pedal. There will also be 2 copper air lines coming out as well. I completely replaced my unit about a month ago with an all electric unit. I will have to let you know the manufacturer because I cannot recall off of the top of my head. The old Bendix unit never worked since I bought the coach. Being 25 years old, I never tried to troubleshoot it I just decided to replace it?? I hope the picture helps. You can have my old unit if you like...

sfedeli · #3 05-12-2008

Hi Ryan,

If no one else has laid claim to it, I'd love to get your old one for spare parts. I'm going to try and get mine working in the next few weeks.

Frank W. · #4 05-12-2008

Thanks Ryan, I know where to look now and will dig into it this weekend. I have the Bendix manual and it has a troubleshooting guide that should lead me in the right direction. I am interested in your parts...if still willing to "part" with them, give me a e-mail at f.wernleinATcomcast.net and we can work out the details.

Thanks,

Frank
85FC33
Woodbridge, VA.

Turbokitty · #5 05-16-2008

Dear Frank,

I sent a private email to you recently. The Bendix CC unit I have is yours as promised unless you find you do not need it (or at least some part of it) in the next several days. If you do not find a need for it, then I will probably offer it to someone else for maybe a minimum fee or something. Please advise as to your findings. Good Luck!

Bill Pape · #6 05-17-2008

Ryan and Michelle,

I would be interested in the Air Cylinder and Cable,
If that would work for you and others,
Someone is always interested in the old stuff,
Thanks for posting

Turbokitty · #7 05-17-2008

Dear Bill and all,

Lets see what Frank come up with for his needs. Unfortunately, I cannibalized the cable end for the new cruise control I installed. The air cylinder is still there though, Sorry, I did not think there would have been such interest...
P.S. check out the gauges I have for sale under parts.

Frank W. · #8 05-17-2008

I got the CC opened up today. My set up is exactly like the photo shared by "turbokitty" in previous message.

One wire running off the lower left soleniod was apparantly in contact with the housing and had about 1/2 inch of bare conductor wire showing, e-tape and a wire tie will fix this. This may have been the cause of my intermittent CC. No other visable issues found. I found all the pushtogether wire harness plugs to be in very tight and no signs of heat damage or corrosion.

I'll research the Bendix manual and do some circuit testing tomorrow.

***Ryan thanks for your reply as to parts...will let you know ASAP.

UPDATE NOTE: AFTER ALL THIS I GOT SEVERAL MONTHS OF GOOD SERVICE FROM CRUISE CONTROL...SUBSQUENTLY WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND HAD PROBLEMS....A RELATED ISSUE WORTH CHECKING IS TO ENSURE YOUR GETTING GOOD VOLTAGE TO CONTROL UNIT. AS WIRED BY BB THERE IS A PROBLEM...CHECK A LATER POSTING/NEW THREAD REFERENCE ADDING A RELAY TO CRUISE CONTROL WIRING. I DID THIS MOD AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS.

konehd · #9 05-27-2008

Hi Frank,

How is your cruise repair going?

I started working on mine today.
First thing I found was only ~7.5 v getting to the plug at the Bendix unit.
Had only about 10v at the switch on the dash.

Does anyone know where that gets its power from? Or is the ~7v enough?

/Joe

sfedeli · #10 05-27-2008

Joe,

I've installed a Bosch relay in the circuit to provide a full 13 volts to the system. The dash switch is now just a trigger for the relay. As it was originally wired, I believe that the cruise control got its power from/through the dash switch.