RETRO FIT CRUISE CONTROL?
How practical is it to retro fit cruise-control to 290GD ?
Any recommended sources/suppliers ?
Marcus
What year is a 290 GD
Congratulations on the G. That's a rare machine.
http://www.sewellofleeds.co.uk/auto-electrical.htm
These people in Leeds do a VDO system called tempostat or something like that. It is a unit under the bonnet that connects to the throttle lever or cable somewhere . It contains the ECU inside the unit and only needs the sender connected to the speedo cable/ head. And a switch on the steering column.
However, does your engine actually have a throttle cable or is it all electric signals to an electric fuel pump. I don't know much about the engine so can't help. Can you describe what the accelerator cable/ connection looks like?
Alternatively MB would be able to sell you the standard kit but estimate £1000 + for that.
Thanks Roly,
Cant access that site from this machine, will try in work tomorrow, sounds like what I need, having had a nosy under the bonnet am today -- I think that there is a bowden? cable from pedel mechanism up to a small box of tricks located between the bulkhead and the back end of the air filter, since there is also a warning light in the dash for EDC ( electronic diesel control ) and the manual mentions a limp home function I assume that YES this engine has an electronically controlled injection pump.
I intend to take her to the local VAG guru who "tweaked" the TDI Galaxy for me to see if he can work the same magic on Mr. Benz's lump, if he cant he will know someone who can.
P.S. ---- R E A L L Y S T R A N G E to climb hills without losing headway/changing gears/phoning weightwatchers.
Marcus
your throttle is fly by wire. Buy this months 4x4 magfazine and you will see a van the same as yours doing a shahra desert crossing. He had some problems with his throttle.
Incidently this guy called me back in 98 asking my opinion on the g wagen as he was used to driving landrovers across the desert and writing books about it. As you can imagine I talked him into having a 290GTD auto. He liked the idea of auto and being able to change from high to low on the move and with the added diff locks was an ideal turck for the desert. Never heard from him again until I saw this article he wrote. MAYBE I MIGHT BE ABLE TO BUY IT WHEN HE'S DONE WITH IT :wink: Notice the last sentence of his article. quote. THIS IS WHY PEOPLE HAVE G WAGENS.
this engine can be chipped the same as the sprinters. there are various option. Simple plug in and ones that you have to solder in. YOu will notice the difference. I remember speaking to a company about hese chips, his quote was. After the chip, the sprinter becomes impossible to overtake, instead of difficult.
Peter,
Why can I not stand in Easons and read it like I usually do? does buying it make a difference to the content ? but will certainly "consult" publication as per your recommendation.
Roly,
Just e-mailed Sewell's re cruise control, will let you know how I get on, I have a notion that T.B. Turbos do something similar -- should have called in Thur last week on the way past!!!!!
Marcus
Hi Marcus
Yhe important thing is to make sure that you can make a sensible physical connection to the existing cable and accomodate the auto cable as well. Also you will need to sort out a speedo sender . That can be cut into the existing speedo cable or you could fit something to the back of the speedo. It might be worth looking at the speedo to see if there is anything there already.
I spoke to a German guy who had one of these he chipped his as Ian suggested and said it was great...Next project
Peter,
Why can I not stand in Easons and read it like I usually do? does buying it make a difference to the content ? but will certainly "consult" publication as per your recommendation.
If you do get a cruise control fitted can you set it to post code PE28 5TG, Ill give you the plane fair home
No Peter,
You are thinking of cruise missiles, but if I can get one handy as part of the decommissioning process I will certainly programe it for your postcode as above -- --
however unlike our American friends I would need to ensure that your neighbours were out for the day -- let me know.
Marcus
Roly,
Found a Birmimgham based firm -- Conrad Anderson, who seem to be well into/specialize in supplying & retro fitting cruise control, £242.95 for the complete kit incl stalk, supposedly practical for a competent DIYer, the woman who I spoke to said that there should probably be a suitable electrical connections left for fitting same, ( or the kit can use the "W" ? terminal on the alternator -- anyway I will let Vincent ( my "Guru" ) who will be fiting it worry about that.
Vincent will be doing the "chipping" -- he is bringing the kits in direct from Germany= 1/2 the price. ( + 25% Torque & HP seems to be the norm ? )
Next ( i ) engine & cabin preheater, Eberspacher?
( ii ) Air Conditioning
OH and I might even fit some seats in the back for the children -- gosh I do so spoil them!
Marcus
I looked at the conrad anderson web page but I didn't like the sound of them. It is a hostile enviroment under the bonnet and I could see a cheap devise failing in a short time. VDO at least supply MB so it should be OK.
I would also make certain you determine which bits you require before shelling out any £ . Also make sure the sender and ECI+U are compatible..
There's plenty of secondhand ebascbacher and webastor heaters on ebay UK and De.
Air cond now that's a big deal. A firm quoted me £2700 installed and that wasn't using MB parts.
Don't know anything about this engine but sounds like it is a fly by wire throttle. If yes it should be a simple job. VAG fly by wire diesels can be fitted with cruise for the cost of the combined cruise/indicator switch (46 pounds) and 15 minutes connected to a dealers VAGCOM machine.
Russ
Russ,
Yes I think "fly-by-wire" is correct and I appreciate your comment re the low cost & simplicty of the VAG retro-fit, I did wonder why the kit as recoimmended by Conrad-Anderson required a vaccum unit as I would have thought that it should have been an all electronic job.
Roly,
This ties in with your reservations re Conrad Anderson, I am still awaiting a reply from Sewells btw, but then that is probably( I hope ) because they are making enquiries re the specific fitment for 290 GD. Will keep you informed of progress.
ROLY, I just phoned Sewells,
YES, they are indeed making enquiries -- &
NO, kits as supplied by Conrad Anderson are not compatible with "fly-by-wire" systems
Marcus
Those guys at MB are good, I contacted the commercial operation at Mallusk, they did their homework via the mainland and were back to me within an hour, no problem ( but no estimate/quotation either !!! ) they can & will fit a replacment MB stalk, run in 4 or 6 extra wires to the "brain" and re-set it to recognise the cruise control fitment.
P.S.
FOUR different versions of 2.9 diesel engine fitted to Sprinters, I hope I get this right ( I had my head below bonnet while he was talking me through the permutations )
( i ) mech in-line injection pump
( ii ) elect in-line injection pump
( iii ) elect rotary injection pump ---- wot I got -- so much for 1,000,000 mile plans
( iv ) CDI system
Marcus
Marcus, be a little wary of "chipping" the 290. We carried out such a fitment on an earlier 290 G-van we had. Overall performance was only marginaly better, but it did improve the mid-range acceleration enough to be noticeable when overtaking. HOWEVER, we subsequently had some problems with the head gasket. Be grateful that you have a relatively economical diesel G-Wagen that performs better than most.
Glad you got home okay! :roll:
Q
I do appreciate that word of caution Quercus,
Vincent specifically referred to improving mid range torque - rather than out & out HP, what level of chipping caused the head gasket problems you refer to?
I have always been very wary of chipping in the past, but it now appears to be wideapread ( incl Sprinter vans ) with few reports of premature failures.
I have had Galaxy chipped to 124 HP, but only use it for the occassional time I overtake, though the addl. torque certainly makes for a more relaxed drive.
Does VW make a better diesel then?
VW = 1900cc rated @ 110HP absolutly no probs. when chipped to 124 HP = 65.26 HP/litre
MB = 2900cc rated @ 120HP should surely be good for a reliable 150HP = 51.72 HP/litre
Always did fancy one of those V10 Toerags, & VW have recently announced a 222HP 2500cc V6 diesel.
Marcus
MB = 2900cc rated @ 120HP should surely be good for a reliable 150HP = 51.72 HP/litre
That's the paperwork - in reality there's a fair bit more before chipping...it takes some doing to power a 2.5t bread at 100mph(gps 99.7) on the level. And climbing up from dover, we're in the fast lane 5th gear foot to the floor at 1500rpm accelerating and overtaking just about everything...
Mercfan,
Any chance of an engine swop ?
More pertinently I do not see any other reservations, except those of Quercus, in respect of "chipping". Head gasket failure due to excess heat?, or higher torque?
Bty. I have postponed cruise control plans as it is apparently not a straightfordward job.
But I have purchased a brand new bench seat from a MB Vaneo ( 2/3 1/3 split ), so if I can fabricate suitable mountings I will be able to clip in & out as required, that should keep me out of mischief this weekend anyway.
Are there stiffer springs fitted to this vehicle I wonder, or are tyres too hard, handbook gives 3 bar for 235/85's as fitted, or is it in part due to absence of carpets etc -- certainly feels harder sprung -- OK on motorways -- very noticable on back roads.
N.B. --- Despite those people at M.B. being very good -- The man at the Truck & Van operation cannot bring the VAG 461 ..... VIN / Chassis No. up on his system -- its a car chassis, BUT the Car dealership says they dont recognize it because its a Commercial Vehicle, " Its logical Jim -- but not as we know it"
So Quercus --- what was that about the Chassis No. being recognised by the MB system ????
Marcus
Any chance of an engine swop ?
eeeerrrrrmmmm....NO! :shock:
Just make sure everything is as it's supposed to be - genuine filters, good injectors and pump, good hoses, clean intercooler(with turbo) and mobil 1 full synthetic, just to think of a few things...
in respect of "chipping". Head gasket failure due to excess heat?, or higher torque?
Sounds like they don't know what they're doing!!! :evil:
First look at the basic stuff as above and see where you get. Don't think chipping a non-turbo is much use other than to muck things up badly. Better of playing with the physical timing. And if you're still not happy, go and spend that extra grand or two and stick in a 312d engine or even 270cdi while you're at it - 400nm compared 280nm compared to 190nm, that is 270cdi, 312d and 300gd 6cyl. Thinking about it, I'll probably go for the 270cdi despite the extra money - stonking engine it is! Tested a 316cdi sprinter not long ago... scary! :twisted: dry road 1st and 2nd constant traction control activation on full power straight line :shock: really makes you smile for the wrong reasons... wouldn't get one without esp though...
handbook gives 3 bar for 235/85's
If you're driving around empty, then I think this is way too much - try something like 1.8 to 2.0 bar.
VAG 461
mercfan, have you chipped your Sprinter?
Test drove a 216 a while back with the sprintshift option, they can keep the sprintshift. But that 270cdi engine goes very well.
I'll be keeping my 212 till the new Sprinter with the V6CDI engine arrives.
BTW, know anyone that wants a clean 208CDI?.
Quote:You mean WDB461...??? :?VAG 461
Puch chassis have VINs starting with VAG. But any Mercedes car garage should be able to read the codes in their EPC.
Cheers
Head gasket :?: Dont be to cautious on that one. A club member purchased a 290GTD van from ATL back in 98/99. Thats just covered 75,000 and the head gasket went on that. I have 3 sprinter vans and one of those had head gasket go at around 75k
So Quercus --- what was that about the Chassis No. being recognised by the MB system ????
Marcus
The chassis numbers (VINs) of all the Steyr Puch badged G-wagens brought in officially by ATL were registered with MBUK and should come up on their computer as they undertook to support these machines, despite the VAG prefix and Steyr Puch badging.
As a matter of interest, all Graz built Pinzgauers also carry the VAG prefix on their Vehicle Identity Numbers. Subsequent UK built Pingauers originally had the prefix VIN, but now have SSF followed by the designator code and chassis serial number.
The chipping device we tried was an electronic unit which was simply connected into the loom between the throttle potentiometer and the FIP. It was also tapped into manifold boost pressure. It was intended as an "off-the-shelf" quick-fix for a specialist fire brigade outfit who wanted more performance at gross weight. We didn't run with it in the end as we didn't feel the "improvement" really justified the means or, for that matter, the increased risk. (FIP=Fuel Injection Pump)
Q
Will leave well enough alone ( on the tuning front ) for now.
I ended up fitting our own 3 spare seats from Galaxy in rear of van, Merc seats were going to be too high due to mounting arrangment, pity as they were such a good match upholstry wise.
For the Galaxy seats I bought the complete set of flat floor fixings for £15.00, rear mounting points/holes even line up with crossmember below floor so well secured.
Pity I forgot to get seatbelts , going for them now as the children are keen to go for a run in the VAN :shock: :? :D
Perhaps I should take them & van to Todds Leap over Easter Hols? 8) 8) 8)
Marcus
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Roly,
It's that van from ATL, fairly sure its Oct 1999.( dont have logbook handy )
Marcus