retro-fit cruise control

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    • #3481
      Trevor Kent
        @trevorkent

        Hi,

        Thought I’d posted this query yesterday but clearly my IT skills are not up to it! Can I have advice from anyone who has fitted cruise control please. Mine is a 1987 XJ.SC 3.6 auto. Trevor Kent

      • #3485
        John Bleasdale
          @bleasie

          Hi Trevor have never seen a 3.6 with Cruise Control I would have thought the car would need to be Automatic to start with,
          The V12’s all had it but initially it was proven to be lethal. I was coming off a motor way in the early days 1986/7 and it would not cut out when I hit the brakes quite hair raising & frightening, Jaguar all but called me a liar and said it was not possible. Just a few months later there was a re-call after someone had been killed.
          There is nothing in the parts book re parts for 3.6 cruise control.
          Pleased to see you are still with us Trevor from around 2011.

          • #3533
            Trevor Kent
              @trevorkent

              Hello Bleasie,

              I am delighted you’re still about too!! I well remember meeting you at Silverstone and my son winning a Jaguar holdall at your raffle!

              I don’t seem too confident that my need for cruise control (bad right knee!) will be satisfied but I shall continue my search!

              All the best,

              Trevor

          • #3492
            Laurence Jones
              @laurence_admin

              The facelift 4.0 litre models do have Cruise Control as an option< so you might be able to retro fit one to your 3.6 Automatic Trevor. I have a donor 1995 4.0litre XJS auto, with Cruise Control, which at some point in the future I'm hoping to dismantle and reassemble in either my 1994 Couple or possibly the 1993 Convertible - all something for the future at the moment I'm afraid. Laurence

            • #3535
              Trevor Kent
                @trevorkent

                Thanks Laurence, I hope I’ll find something soon as right knee now giving me considerable gip on long runs!!

                Cheers,

                Trevor

              • #3605
                Robin
                  @woodsmoke

                  Hi Trevor, Cruise was indeed an option on 3.6l XJS both cabriolet and coupe. The earlier system was AE Econocruise but in Feb 1987 was replaced with the more sophisticated Hella ‘computer’ cruise. (Source Skilleter – says vin 108285 roughly)
                  Same 1987.5 model year revamp they introduced wood veneered ski-slope.

                  If yours is a 1987 it might be quite straightforward..

                  The system is however a little more complex than you might think at first sight but I believe should be retrofitable to cars post Feb 1987. I don’t think anyone would recommend the Econocruise version but the Hella by all accounts is a reliable and sophisticated system.

                  Components:
                  Ski-slope switch & mounting, ECU which fits under passenger foot board next to main 3.6l engine ECU, brake pedal actuating double switch (and single clutch switch on manual cars), solenoid vacuum valve fits on N/S inside engine bulkhead, Actuator bellows, tubing and linkage to throttle.
                  I haven’t mentioned wiring or relays either but I think will be already in harness on post 1987 cars. I cannot confirm that but my Sept 1987 certainly has an extra plug in footwell next to location for the cruise ECU.

                  The 3.6l (& 4.0l) models use a totally different system to that on the V12 cars so no major components are the same (happy to be corrected)

                  My own cab does not have cruise but I have slowly been gathering the required components myself for future fitting. The ECU latest version is cheap enough at circa £20 brand new off eBay, console switches quite costly as are the bellows as often second hand ones look poor. Double brake pedal switches (cruise and brake light) are more difficult to find but I’m sure if you approached one of the known Jag breakers like ‘JustXJS’ at Derby they could source all the necessary parts.
                  The parts aren’t really that costly.
                  The missing ingredient is whether the existing wiring loom has the connections already there and I cannot confirm that myself yet..

                  If anyone has actually done the modification on a post 1987 I would also be most interested to hear of any pitfalls..

                  Regards, Robin

                • #3608
                  Robin
                    @woodsmoke

                    Parts References for 3.6l Cruise Control – poor pics but shows where to get the info!

                    Photo 510

                    Photo 509

                    Photo 508

                  • #3626
                    Trevor Kent
                      @trevorkent

                      Hello Robin,

                      Thanks for your detailed and thoughtful reply. I am positively NOT a bonnet-lifter I’m embarrassed to admit. I’ve come across http://www.bridgwater-electronics.co.uk who say they have a unit which will do the job. My local Classic Jag garage think it will work and have suggested just today that I buy the kit! What do you think?

                      Cheers,

                      Trevor

                    • #3628
                      Robin
                        @woodsmoke

                        If it works well then could be a good option. I imagine will be similar to the Jag ‘Econocruise’ early system which was also an aftermarket fitment originally, before being offered by Jaguar as an option in production.

                        Modern electronics might have benefits too.

                        Let us know how you get on if you go that route, be most interested.

                        Regards, Robin

                      • #3681
                        Trevor Kent
                          @trevorkent

                          Shall buy kit on Monday and drop it and SC to Powerbell Maidenhead to do the magic bits! Will let you know! Trevor

                        • #3897
                          Laurence Jones
                            @laurence_admin

                            Hi Trevor

                            Any update to share on your Cruise Control install ?

                            Laurence

                            • #3910
                              Trevor Kent
                                @trevorkent

                                In classic TK style I haven’t done a thing. One reason – I’ve no idea whether my accelerator linkage is ‘wire’ or ‘electronic’ as there appears to be a different ‘kit’ for each. All I know is, on a short run into London yesterday my right knee hurt like a ……. so I must get round to doing something before the touring season, Southern Ireland and France already planned!! Cheers, Trevor

                            • #3960
                              Trevor Kent
                                @trevorkent

                                Bridgwater Electronics kit for cable accelerator version purchased. Powerbell booked to fit next week – fingers crossed. Bleasie tells me a faulty Cruise Control nearly killed him once – but it was standard not retro-fit, so hope I shall be able to post here for many more years!!!

                              • #4421
                                Trevor Kent
                                  @trevorkent

                                  Only partial success – gizmo fitted close to accelerator cable in engine bay (as you can tell, I’m no bonnet-lifter sadly) but then discovered another bit needed to be fitted to speedometer, ordered from Bridgwater (shame they didn’t tell me about this extra) now awaiting further fix at Powerbell.

                                • #4427
                                  Jon Scales
                                    @jonscales

                                    Interesting about the Cruise Control not fitted on the 3.6 Auto, as posted by Bleasie further up. Ours has it!!!!

                                  • #4431
                                    John Bleasdale
                                      @bleasie

                                      Well Jon you know what they say you learn something every day.

                                    • #4833
                                      Trevor Kent
                                        @trevorkent

                                        Well it’s finally been completed. Despite parts supplier assuring me and Powerbell (Taplow) that the first delivery contained everything needed to fit a 1987 XJ-SC 3.6 Auto RHD this turned out not to be so, and a further bit had to be purchased! Total cost about £750 and full marks to the patience shown by Powerbell doing a job they had never done before (and I doubt anyone else has either). Doing JEC Ireland Rally soon – that should give the system a good test!!

                                      • #4845
                                        Laurence Jones
                                          @laurence_admin

                                          Hi Trevor,

                                          If it means you can be comfortable driving your Cabriolet the distances you do, then it will be a great success.

                                          Enjoy your tour around Ireland

                                          Laurence

                                        • #4955
                                          Richard Salt
                                            @richard-s

                                            Just as an aside to all this, the 85 Cab has a crude mechanical/vacuum system. I scrapped mine long ago, its ok when new, but not good as it ages.
                                            The tiny brass strip flap valves don’t seal any more and speed can’t be held.
                                            Of course these tiny bits can’t be bought so you’re faced with buying the complete unit – if you can find one.
                                            Anyway, taking the big vacuum cylinder out means more airflow across the engine which is good.

                                          • #5307
                                            Trevor Kent
                                              @trevorkent

                                              1250 miles in under a week on the JEC Ireland rally and the cruise control worked flawlessly. Shortly another 1500 or so in France and Belgium – what a delight to give the right leg and knee a rest every so often! Have a great summer all softies!

                                            • #5327
                                              Laurence Jones
                                                @laurence_admin

                                                That’s great news Trevor, really pleased about that news.

                                                Wish I had time to go on a few day/week tour in one of our XJS, but have to restrict it to annaul holidays or long bank holiday weekends for now.

                                                Laurence

                                              • #7036
                                                Trevor Kent
                                                  @trevorkent

                                                  In the end 1300 miles in France and Belguim, CC still working perfectly! Local village Classic Car show today but seemingly 2″ rain already fallen this morning so doubt I or anyone else will risk it, shame!!

                                                  • #7177
                                                    John Bleasdale
                                                      @bleasie

                                                      Well Trevor Kent you certainly proved me wrong glad to hear not only did the conversion go well but that the trips went well.
                                                      Why not put the story of the conversion together and get Laurence to post it will save future owners having to start from square one Just a thought.

                                                      BLEASIE

                                                  • #13465
                                                    Trevor Kent
                                                      @trevorkent

                                                      Another 1100 miles on JEC Ireland tour (10 XJS’s this year, 50 cars in all, one XK120, 2 Mk 11’s, 2 E-Types et al) just completed. Retro cruise control still 100% !

                                                      However lost headlight flasher and horn during trip – not being a bonnet-lifter as I’ve always embarrassingly admitted to all, I can only assume a fuse problem. Next problem – what’s a fuse and where is it!!

                                                       

                                                      Happy Softing !

                                                       

                                                      Trevor

                                                    • #13477
                                                      eddiepanton
                                                        @eddie-panton

                                                        many moons ago i test drove a 3.6 manual coupe (complete shed) and im sure it had cruise control. there was a stalk on the left side of the steering column, didnt think to see if it was cruise but cant think what else it could have been. As soon as i saw the car I wasnt interested as in my opinion it was a parts car

                                                      • #14637
                                                        Geoff Pedlar
                                                          @geoffpedlar

                                                          Interested in what Richard Salt refers to as “the crude mechanical/vacuum system”, are you refering to the V12 ?

                                                          Do we mind if we expand the discussion to the V12 vacuum system ? My CC doesn’t function but its not important to me so I haven’t looked at it yet. On the other hand I do like all parts of a car to function properly so maybe this will trigger me to action ! I am hands on.

                                                          So Richard please let me/us in to the secret, where are these “tiny brass strip flap valves” and the “big vacuum cylinder” too please.

                                                          Many thanks

                                                           

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