RacingFlyer Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Hi everybody, This question might be for those who have already installed a Rostra Electronic Cruise Control in an older Subie. I have just finished installing a Rostra Global Cruise in my '89 EA82T 4WD A/T Wagon and it works well, as intended. All the switches work as they are supposed to and the speed is indeed nicely regulated. HOWEVER... I have one small issue which is not a show stopper but kinda annoying. It seems that the Tach signal is not picked up by the Rostra Unit. I know the VSS signal is correct since the cruise is working. But when I kick the transmission in neutral while driving, revs jump up to the rev limiter... meaning the Tach signal is not picked up (it's a safety thing according to Rostra, does not affect function). For both VSS and Tach, I picked up the signals out of the big black connector, located behind the fuse box, between the blue and the white connectors. VSS was a yellow and red wire and the Tach a yellow wire. I followed the schematic I have to confirm that. I even did ring the Tach wire from the backshell of the connector to the + of the ignition coil and it is correct... so I know I picked up the Tach... but it ain't working as it is supposed to. Does anybody know which step I am missing? Any help welcone. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Tach signal will be on coil -,not +. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacingFlyer Posted August 3, 2010 Author Share Posted August 3, 2010 Tach signal will be on coil -,not +. Well, that would explain then... Thanks Naru. I will try this next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robm Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Which model of cruise control did you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobywagon Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 That's going to be a Rostra 250-1223 Universal Cruise kit. There are several options available for control stalks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robm Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 Yes, there are a few options. It would be nice to know what worked, as they don't have a listing for the EA82 vehicles on their website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobywagon Posted August 4, 2010 Share Posted August 4, 2010 UNless the customer wants something more specific, we use the 250-3421. It looks a LOT like the cruise handle that GM used for centuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robm Posted August 5, 2010 Share Posted August 5, 2010 So you sell them, eh? How much do they cost, in a box ready to install? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacingFlyer Posted August 5, 2010 Author Share Posted August 5, 2010 Well, that would explain then... Thanks Naru. I will try this next That did not work either... Oh well, I have contacted Rostra and we'll see if they can be of any help. The cruise is working fine. It's just that safety feature missing and I can live without it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacingFlyer Posted August 5, 2010 Author Share Posted August 5, 2010 That's going to be a Rostra 250-1223 Universal Cruise kit. There are several options available for control stalks. Yes, there are a few options. It would be nice to know what worked, as they don't have a listing for the EA82 vehicles on their website. Correct it's a 250-1223 and I did not use a stalk but a panel 250-3593. I will post a few pictures of the install in a sec. And I will explain what I did. Works like a charm (except for that safety feature that is not working but I really don't care that much about it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacingFlyer Posted August 5, 2010 Author Share Posted August 5, 2010 (edited) OK, here is what I have done: Rostra unit 250-1223 installed in the engine compartment close to the washer pump: Route the electrical wiring above the spare wheel to the driver's side of the car. There are some open brackets you can use. Then drop on the driver's side towards the steering column. There is (at least there was on my car) an empty feedthrough just outboard of the steering column. Use it to run your wires inside the car. The throttle cable was routed under the spare wheel. You have to kinda make a 180 from the unit to start going towards the rear, then go over to the driver's side and then run along with the main throttle cable. Anchor the cruise throttle cable on the spare bracket alongside the main throttle cable. Sorry.... it was too hot and I did not feel like removing my spare wheel from the engine compartment Next, the inside... Edited August 5, 2010 by RacingFlyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacingFlyer Posted August 5, 2010 Author Share Posted August 5, 2010 Part deux: the inside I used a Rostra 250-3593, because I thought it was a perfect fit... I spotted that open square area to the left of the steering wheel. It's a cap that pops open. I don't know what was supposed to be there, probably some kind of option I don't have. Anyhow, there is already a whole inside this space for a wiring pass through. Perfect! Anyhow, I removed the cap, drilled it and installed the Rostra panel on it, then ran the wires from under the steering column. Then all that is left is to wire the thing... There is a power prong that you plug to a 15A fuse in your fuse box. Any fuse, as long as it is an accessory. I used the one... for the cruise... logic The VSS can be found behind the fuse box. Unscrew the fuse box, drop it and behind it you will see 3 big connectors. From left to right, a blue one, a black one (center) and a white one. Pull the black one out. VSS is the yellow and red wire. Splice it to the VSS wire of the Rostra unit and plug the connector back in. Find the connector for the brake switch (above the break pedal) and splice those 2 wires to the Rostra unit, respecting hot and cold side of the brake switch. Wire the 4 pin connector between the switch panel and the Rostra wire loom (that's what will send ON/OFF/SET/RESUME to the unit). And my panel in addition needed power so I had to wire that too, but it was supplied on the Rostra loom. Pick a ground close to the Rostra unit (I used an attachment bolt of the bracket for the washer pump) That's it. All in all, I would say pretty easy I have not figured the tach signal yet but I can live without it. If it all comes to that, I have a kit that came with the unit that I can install to provide an external Tach signal. The modification cost was less than $100 including shipping. Normally it's more around $200 but somebody was selling one on eBay so I snatched it Now my right leg can rest during those long trips on the highway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eulogious Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I hate the panel. That's how my dealer installed cruise system works, and I hate it. Really annoying to adjust things while trying to keep your eyes on the road. My panel is located where the power mirror controls are supposed to be (I don't have power mirrors). I added the steering wheel controls in and it's much better But that's just me I don't know why you are having problems with your tach signal. The negative side works fine for both my cruise and my remote start. I installed the remote start myself. I just use the same wire, and it's attached to the negative side of the coil. No problems what so ever... Might want to make sure you are getting a signal at all. I just used my test light, and it just flashes rapidly, so I knew I was getting a signal. Glad you got it working though! Cruise control is sweet when you do alot of freeway driving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobywagon Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Best I can do on them is $215 for the kit, $35 for the handle. PLus shipping. I suspect you'd be better off buying locally because my distributor won't drop-ship. So you sell them, eh? How much do they cost, in a box ready to install? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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