Aftermarket cruise control
 

My 1984 300SD cruise control is dead. I've read the postings about having the amplifier unit sent out for repair. I think that is is expensive, and besides, the old actuator and speed sending units are still in the car and could be part of the problem. In fact, a bad actuator could burn out the amplifier again. I don't think my bulbs are a problem, since both stop lights are Philipps, Germany. I've been looking at the Audiovox CSS-100 cruise control at Kragen for $96.98. It is a vacuum servo unit, opposed to the electric servo unit in the car. The technician at Audiovox says that the CSS-100 would work with a diesel as long as it has a vacuum pump. I would have to wire a magnet on the drive shaft and mount a pick up sensor near the drive shaft. I checked the cruise control lever on the steering column and it works fine. I would use the original lever cruise controls for the CSS-100. Does anyone have an opinion or experience with aftermarket cruise controls with their diesel Mercedes?

My other option is to pull an amplifier from a 1984 190E and put it in my 300SD. I think this would cost $10.

Another option would to take another cruise control system from another car at the junkyard which has a magnet sensor pickup rather than a VSS type.

What are your opinions?

let me know how you fare, my cruise is dead on my 83 300SD as well. I may ask my local junk euro place if theyll sell me the actuator and the amp for 150 as a package. Is there anyway to test these things outside of the car? I have tried resoldering all connections on my 300SD, with absolutely NO success.
R

RG5384,

This link to GDL has several trouble shooting guides for your cruise control: http://www.gdl-online.com/testproc.html

I have found this very useful. In fact, I will use the pinout descriptions to hook up a new cruise control to the existing wires in the car.

At GDL, the amplifier costs $185 to $195. See link http://www.gdl-online.com/price1.html

The motor actuator costs $205. See link http://www.gdl-online.com/price2.html

I can easily find a brand new cruise control for $185 (the price of the amplifier alone at GDL.) No one will know I have replaced the original MB cruise control since the new one will use old switches.

I put a audiovox cruise on my 83 CD about 1 year ago, I think I paid $79. Not bad to install but I used the button switch that came with it, I could not find any way to use the M.B. stalk. It works okay, but is slow to react, once you have it set it holds the speed uphill and down real well.
Jerryb

Jerryb,

Is this Audiovox cruise control system a vacuum type?