Just wondering about the forward/backwards compatibility of the cruise control systems in our cars. More specifically would a unit from an 88 Cougar 3.8 work in a 87 T-bird 5.0?
I'm fairly certain the cable is a different length, but the servo should be the same. You can get a cable from a 5.0 Mustang, or Mark VII too.
I'm going on the premise that the cable is fine (I hope), and that the actuall solenoid is what's bad.
The servo units are all the same, I believe. The cruise computers also should interchange. The only things different between cars are the cable lengths.
All EEC-V processors have the cruise control function built in; there is no separate standalone computer for it. So the tap up/down feature that newer cars have wouldn't work for our cars. And diagnosing a problem is much, much easier on newer cars. Otherwise we have what newer cars have.
Ok, so in a nutshell, not counting the cable to where-ever, it would work?
Hmm I was under the impression there was a Cruise controll brain box (for lack of a better term). What about pre computer controlled fords?
Do you mean EEC-IV? Thats what his car has.
he is talking about newer for computers in general. Basically that all ford parts are the same exept
The EEC-V on newer cars is technically a PCM (powertrain control module) in that all processors for the vehicle are integrated into one: engine, transmission, ABS and cruise control.
On EEC-IV cars (and EEC-III for that matter), the computer is an ECM (engine control module) because that's all it controls. Everything else has its own brain (ABS on the 1987-88 Turbo Coupes, for example).
The cruise control system has its own separate brain then. It's right above your left foot when you're driving the car; remove the insulation panel and you'll see it. Some housings are black, some are a bright yellow. I have personally never found a difference between any cruise modules from 1984-88. I've swapped servos and cruise computers in many different combinations and all seem to work just fine. Earlier cruise control systems may or may not use the same setup we have; not certain about that.
So to answer your question, aside from cables, yes, they are the same and you can use any servo from 1983-88 in your car.
Cool, thanks for the info!
while on topic, how hard is a cable swap?
If you can get your inner fender off, it's pretty easy.:D
Hopefully, if my cable comes from Vinnie, I'll let you know over the weekend. I know the inner fender doesn't look like much fun. :yuck:
Psssh....it's nothing. A few screws, a few plastic pins and it literally falls out. Helps to have the car up on jack stands.
In 1999 when the new engine went in, I relocated the main harness on the driver's side of the engine bay to the inner fender area. If anything in that harness goes bad, or a connector comes loose, or one of the inline fuses pops....up goes the car, down goes the inner fender. Pain in the ass but it sure cleaned up the engine bay. :)
From what I can find, the Module should be the same on 84-88 models and the Servo should be the same on 87-88 models. And from the attached picture I would think the 3.8 cable would be just as long or longer than the 5.0.
There are actually two different modules, but they work for one another. One is for the 2.3 turbo/3.8 and the other is calibrated for the 5.0. Found this out after I reconnected my cruse. When I would activate or hit resume, it was like almost stomping it to the floor with the original 2.3 module... Switched to the 5.0 module and now get a much more subdued response.
That said... the modules are actually the same, but have a calibration pot inside that regulates just how agressive the throttle responce is.