I'm hoping that someone can help me with the cruise amplifier on my 87 300TD. My amplifier was shot so I bought one from an online parts place, but I can't get the thing to work. I returned it once and the new one did the same thing (nothing). I'm wondering if they have gone to a 'universal' amplifier of some type and I need to make some changes for installation. Any help would really be appreciated.

On the bright side, my wagon has been really dogging it for the past six months and I decided to try the ALDA adjustment talked about in the diesel forum. After 45 min of tinkering and $0 I have a car with tons of power and pickup.

The cruise control system is MORE than just the amplifier. You need to check the other components as well. Start here and use the tests on this site: http://gdl-online.com/test021.html

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

I have a pretty good understanding of how the cruise system works. I have replaced the combination switch and removed and inspected the actuator. The one thing I have done that has brought the system back from the dead is swapped out an amplifier from my father-in-laws car (same year and model). Based on that swap (before and after messing with the actuator) I'm pretty well convinced that the amp is the problem.

I'm hoping that someone has had a successful installation of one of these units and can help me out. This thing has been driving me nuts for a while now.

Did you try the amplifier that you purchased on your father-in-law's car?

No, I didn't have that opportunity.

Did you swap over the black, 8 pin, "I.D. box" to the new amp (see picture for location of socket, on the right)

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Yes, that is what my new one looks like. The old one had only pins for the one large plug.