can anyone put a brand name to this cruise control? Need to determine why it didn't disengage with either a brake application or by turning it off the last couple of times I used it. Had to pull over and physically push throttle control to idle speed in engine compartment.

Looks like an earlier model of a King Cruise Control. They make them for mechanical diesel engines including the Cat in the Gillig Chassis. I am now installing a newer model in mine to replace the old Bendix Air Cruise system.

It is probably a mechanical restriction in either the cable that attaches the cruise control to the throttle system or internally the servo unit is sticky or binding. Maybe the cable needs lub. I notice in the picture there is something coming out of the box on the left side. Is that the cable that goes to the throttle system? if so it has a rather sharp bend right where it leaves the box and that could be part of the problem. Do you know if this is a air system or mechanical cable driven system? If air system, than it could be a sticky or binding air cylinder.

I am not familiar with the system shown this is only a WAG

quote:

Originally posted by Tom K:
Looks like an earlier model of a King Cruise Control. They make them for mechanical diesel engines including the Cat in the Gillig Chassis. I am now installing a newer model in mine to replace the old Bendix Air Cruise system.

Tom, keep me posted. I need to replace mine.

Nick

quote:

King Cruise Control

King Cruise Control is what is on our coach and I found this link helpful. King Trouble Shooting Page. You will find four PDF documents that address the different switch types. I found the documents very helpful trouble shooting our cruise control.

Nick: I bought the King Cruise and then decided I did not want to use the old double switches on the dash, so I bought a Smart Wheel that is in all the new coaches so I can have steering wheel control of cruise, lights, wipers and radios. I am building the conversion adapters and will post the whole story when I am finished. Of course I now have an extra Gillig Steering Wheel and column.

...how much does a smart wheel cost??

checked it out but found nothing for my MCC!!

Could/should I change the column/wheel to a different/newer system??

First you need a column with a "clock spring" and the older Gillig does not. So I went on ebay and found a Monaco surplus column that is brand new. On a " make offer" I paid $250 including shipping. Then the Smart wheel controller, and top of the line stering wheel was about $600. By the time it is all done I expect to spend about a grand. You may need to build an adapter to attach the column to the dash frame, unless your mount is vertical, mine was about 30 degrees off of vertical.

The cruise on my Regal is the worst I've owned. It is a long obsolete, cable driven, aftermarket POS.

I think it was made by ARA... when I had to replace the speedo cables I had to make my own. Never did hold speed well. The cruise is vacuum driven, so as the throttle advances and vacuum goes down, the speed will surge (above mid throttle.) My speedometer is worse, varies from -5 mph when cold to +2 mph after many hours!

I am in the process of upgrading the whole thing. I am replacing both speedo and tach gauges with Speedhut GPS type (thanks Bill NY for the link) When I get them installed (pictures will follow!) I will be able to abandon entirely the speedo cable system and the old cruise control with it.

I am looking into aftermarket cruise kits. They seem few and far, I guess factory computer cruise has taken over.

I am considering a Dakota Digital cruise. It is modular, all electric, with numerous electronic speed input options (including transmission cable speed sensors) It has a standard switch on the turn signal stalk. There are DIP switches to select trans type, throttle response rates and sensitivity. All of the professional truck types were much more expensive, the Dakota is under $300.

Anyone had experience with this system? Based on the literature it can be used on diesels also. I am seriously tempted.

Steve!

GET THIS!

I have the same old ARA system on mine (actually same as a Chrysler). Mine only works if you hold in the RESUME button. So on the last trip, I put a rubber band on the stalk (redneck ingenuity) and it would hold the button in and it held the speed pretty darn good!!!!

I'm interested in what you find out...I want to replace mine........

Sounds like the same "quality" unit...

Lately, mine will quit whenever I turn on the lights! I thought it might be the LED brake lights, but it works fine until you turn on running lights... (didn't think to try the "resume hold" technique! )

As soon as I can I'll check out the Dakota Digital one...

removed cruise control module to find the name on the side facing bulkhead. It is indeed a King Cruise control as mentioned. Took throttle control cable apart and oiled to free up as it felt like it had a good deal of friction...seems to slide better now when I put everything back together and braced cable to eliminate the kinking as seen in picture. On the road south in the next few days so will see how it does on road. thanks for all the help.

on the road south now...same old prolem with the cruise..turns on, sets speed and adjusts speed..when wanting to disengage it stays activated at last speed even when shut off...have to pull over and retract control cable at engine to idle down . Looks like I'll have to go with a new unit from King Cruise...web site says they offer a replacement module that should hook up to existing wiring and switches. It did work well for 20 years.