'94 C220 Cruise Contol Repair

[scjim]

I just recently got my Cruise Control in a '94 C220 operating again. I had searched seveal web sites prior to the repair and found owners with a problem, but was unable to come up with a solution for what I thought was my particular problem. The problem started with occasionally not engaging, progressed to engaging only as I slowed down, to total failure. In January I got a hint from this site to go to the GDL website. Luckily the '94 is still a separate contol unit and actuator. I performed the tests recommended and was able to conclude that the actuator was bad, but the control was still questionable. Finally removed both and sent to GDL for testing and repair. Both were bad.
Removal and installation are quite simple for the contol unit as it resides in front of the firewall on the passenger side. Removal of the actuator is a challenge! It requires removal of the ties around the wire bindle runinng from the drivers side connector on the inner fender in fron of the fuse boxes closest to the engine.
Removal of the underside cover and starter. Disconnect the battery before starting any of this work. Finally you will see the actuator. It sits on a bracket thar is attached to the engine with three bolts. Two can be felt and removed from where you're laying under the car. The third is best removed from the top using a quarter inch rachet and 10" extention. You can just get your fingers down to feel the bolt. You will have to remove the actuator from the bracket to get it out. Like wise you will have to install it back on the bracket just after getting it past the steering parts. I made a stud to put back where the top bolt resided. May have helped some. I weigh 270 and was able to work with one hand only up around the actuator. I had to have a freind help me hold the actuator up in place as I starte the bolts in the bracket. All he could do was hold a long scewdriver against it, but I could not have gotten it up in place to bolt in without that help. I wish I had thought to take some picture up in there so I would have been able to see what I was fighting.
It was amajor job, but it is done and the result is great!
Hope this helps someone out there.