im wanting to install a cruise control module into my car since i took a road trip saterday for a car show i realized it SUCKS without one lol. so how hard are they to install? i wouldnt mind installing a factory cruise but if i understand i need the wireing harness and the ECM correct? if thats so im going to grab one from autozone. when i bought the car it had one installed in it but it didnt work so i removed it when i did my engine swap. any help is helpful. thank you

 

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I'm intersted in know the answer to this also....subscribing!

 

im really like some help on this issue. any help..please?

 

They're not parts you can go to AZ and just buy... The cruise is separated into 2 separate harnesses that plug into both the dash harness and each other. And then you need the modulator (the vacuum or electric motor that actually pulls on the throttle lever via a cable) and the control module. And possibly a brake cut-out switch that goes in the other hole across from the brake light switch on the pedal support bracket. And some switches to control it.

Then you need to pull the dash and run the harness across it alongside the main dash harness. You'll see where the harnesses plug into each other and the dash harness.

:edit: I'll get my parts out of the box they're in and get a pic.

 

i know the aftermarket i had was from sears. i know that because i had the manual for it and the box but i threw that out the night i bought the car. it had alot of trash in it

 

There's any number of things that were made 20 years ago by companies such as Sears that aren't available now unless they're hidden in the back of someone's attic covered in an inch of dust or something. Best thing to do is go to a JY and get factory parts. Then you don't have to modify wiring and give yourself a headache and possibly make some other things not work anymore, it just plugs in and works.

 

but does my car have the wireing for the cruise?

 

pics please

 

I don't know how many guys I've told now that there are any number of unused connectors in their harnesses for things that aren't there... My dash harness, for example, has the connectors for the Bose "high performance" stereo system (subwoofer gain) switch that I don't have the parts for, the rear defrost switch, (which I have but don't use because I don't have the grid) and the module to go with it, it had the connector under there for the hatch release (which I added) and already had the relay installed, and a few others that I have no idea what they do or why they're there.

GM put the extra wiring in the harnesses to make them universal. They didn't tag each harness by VIN. They added the add-on harnesses, relays, switches, and other parts to finish assembling the RPO options. There would have been a lot of time (and money) wasted to make each harness according to VIN and RPO orders, taking parts out here and adding others there.

 

yeah your right. i want to add power windows and locks, plus cruise so im gonna be ripping into the wireing anyways. so i need pictures on that cruise so i can see what all i need to grab. i wish i would have grabbed it off my old 90 because it had power locks and cruise.

 

If that's the case, you'll also need to get the harness called the "cross car" harness that is attached to the cowl under where the upper dash to cowl bolts are (behind the front speakers under the bottom of the windshield), held in by about 6 plastic clips. Just pull it off. The power connectors unplug from the junction box on the driver's side by pulling them out after releasing a side tab. And you'll also need the relay pack bolted inside the driver's kick panel for the locks, and there is a part of the window harness that runs down the driver's side along with the rear body harness and under the driver's seat for the switches in the console. And, of course, the window regulators and the lock motors in each door. Forgot to mention that the cross car harness also has the wiring for the rear speakers running down the passenger's side which will need to be popped out of the conduit before the harness can be removed.

I'll get that pic in a bit... Currently sanding the junk off of my hood so hopefully I can spray it within the next couple days if Nature decides to behave .

 

I'm taking my cruise control out. I only use the car locally and for auto-x. I may sell the module part that operates the throttle linkage if you cant find a suitable one. Should bolt right in if you have the rest of the wiring hidden away somewhere.

 

Can't get a pic of the main cruise harness (with the module and the column switch)... I was hoping I had left it separate from the main dash harness when I integrated all of the loose crap (aftermarket alarm, VATS module, hatch release wire that had to be added) under there into one bundle. I was wrong... I'd have to take apart the dash in the dark, 100+ degree top of my garage and then slit the harness to get it out. I do have a pic of the engine bay/brake pedal third of the harness, however. I'll post it in a bit.

 

Okay, so I'm doing my research to gather up parts. My 88 V6 car needs the cruise parts.

I need:

Under hood harness (where does this plug in? Near the bulkhead connector?)

Under dash harness for the brake/clutch switches (where does this plug in? unused connectors under the dash?)

Harness for the steering column stalk switch? is it already there or do I need to put a different harness inside?

Control module for the cruise control (where does THAT go?)

Control mechanism that bolts to the engine throttle

There is nothing that needs to be done to the ECM or chip? On these pre-OBD II systems the cruise is a stand alone system?

Sorry for all the questions, but I want to do this. I have a V8 89 Firebird with Cruise Control to look at, but is the wiring the same for 1988 and 1989 Cruise Control?

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

Underhood goes from a knock-out under the column, along the framerail in that harness sleeve to the cruise module which is either mounted directly to the tray for pass side batteries, or mounted to the washer tank for drivers side batteries. The tiny ground ring goes to the unibody near the relay center

Under dash uses a black 6 pin connector. If your dash has it it will be over the top of the column hard to reach. If your dash doesnt have this connector wired in, the install will be much more difficult

Dont forget the secondary brake switch with the vacuum port mounted to your pedal stop. Should be a 2nd hole drilled

Column harness is part of the cruise harness. Look for a small black 4 pin connector with a white retainer. Your turn signal stalk will have a small black sleeve coming off if its cruise compatible. On the end of the sleeve is a metal hook thing that actually plugs into thew connector above

Module is mounted to the HVAC box under the pass side of the dash behind the ECM tray

No change to the ECM for a stock cruise upgrade. Heck, the ODBII stuff can be upgraded without a retune

88 and 89 should be compatible. Dont forget to get the vacuum canister under the drivers battery tray

 

Thanks for the extra stuff I didn't know about.

I'm not going to cannibalize the 89 for the 88. I will use it as a guide and/or test mule for my other parts if they are the same.

hopefully my car has the harness under the dash the way it is supposed to. I have an extra steering column from another 89 with cruise if I have to go that route. The other parts I'll have to buy and then hook up.

Again, thanks!

 

I wouldnt swap the columns because of VATS. Just the stalk, it pulls right out. Fishing the wire down the column is a pain, but you can run it external and it not be noticable

 

Oh, yes, VATS. I got a taste of that when doing the 89 column initially. My 89 'bird now has an 89 IROC column in it, and I forgot to swap the lock cylinder with the original key. I got to take it all apart and then put the Firebird key back!

My 89 column is just for parts now, so no worries there.

Thanks for the insights.

 

I have all of the cruise control parts. I will sell or trade them.