Retrofit cruise control

[Dobiwallah]

hi, I'm orientating on installing cruise control on my Z3. I searched google, but I can't really find a howto which explains everything in detail. I found this on realeom:

If I can find all these part, I should work isit? is the plug which goes into the actuator somewhere hidden under my bonnet, or is a cable loom I need to pull?

I also found this (german) manual (Althoug I'm Dutch, my knowledge of german language is not that great and ends like: ein bier bitte, danke schun ), but the manual looks more complicated than the picture above. Any thoughts? The motor is M52.

Anybody has a cruise control for sale BTW?

 

[Brian H]

Can you confirm that you have a throttle cable? You car is on the cusp of a major change in the way the Z3s, if you have a fly by wire throttle it is really easy, if not it does take a little more patience.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Kiora

Greetings from the Siena Red Z3 in the South Island.

If you have a M52TU or M54 (dual VANOS) engine, then you have a Fly by wire throttle and the cruise control retrofit is a piece of cake. I did it to my M52TU 2000 2.0 L Z3. From opening the courier box to going for a test drive took 3/4 of an hour. Total cost was NZ$400. I picked up the two parts needed from a person parting out a Z3 in the States. Photos of the parts attached.

I'm also researching doing the retrofit without those parts, by doing a steering wheel cruise control version.

The M52 single Vanos and M44 engine require the tempomat actuator system that you have in the drawing. I have not done one of these.

Feel free to PM me your phone number if you want to chat.

Hope this helps

Regards

Murray

 

[Antm72]

Mine is a M52TU and NOT fly by wire depending on the zeds year it may have a right mix of systems i think it depended on the parts bin !

 

[NZ00Z3]

Yep, you are fly by wire with the M52TU but the first version. The M52TU's are fitted with a MKD throttle body that has on one end a good old fashioned accelerator cable (which is what causes the confusion). The cable is fitted to the butterfly spindle via a clutch. On the other end of the butterfly spindle is an electric motor and position sensor. These are directed coupled to the spindle and allows the motor to over-ride the cable due to the clutch.

As an example, when the ASC/DSC wants to cut engine revs, it very quickly closes the throttle butterfly via the motor in the MKD.

As the M52TU's have the MKD, you can fit the I bus cruise control module and steering column switch and have an excellent cruise control. The wiring connector will already be in the loom and tucked away out of sight.

Just noticed that Antm72 has a 2.8. There is a cross over date, 4/99 I think, where the cruise control functions and support systems changed.

Before date, 2 wire clutch switch, Cruise control coding problem that caused hung throttle position. Some ECU's required cruise control enable coding.
After date, 3 wire hall-effect clutch switch, cruise control coding fixed, plug and play fitment.

 

[Dobiwallah]

Yep, you are fly by wire with the M52TU but the first version. The M52TU's are fitted with a MKD throttle body that has on one end a good old fashioned accelerator cable (which is what causes the confusion). The cable is fitted to the butterfly spindle via a clutch. On the other end of the butterfly spindle is an electric motor and position sensor. These are directed coupled to the spindle and allows the motor to over-ride the cable due to the clutch.

As an example, when the ASC/DSC wants to cut engine revs, it very quickly closes the throttle butterfly via the motor in the MKD.

As the M52TU's have the MKD, you can fit the I bus cruise control module and steering column switch and have an excellent cruise control. The wiring connector will already be in the loom and tucked away out of sight.

Just noticed that Antm72 has a 2.8. There is a cross over date, 4/99 I think, where the cruise control functions and support systems changed.

Before date, 2 wire clutch switch, Cruise control coding problem that caused hung throttle position. Some ECU's required cruise control enable coding.
After date, 3 wire hall-effect clutch switch, cruise control coding fixed, plug and play fitment.

Thanks Murry, Good news for me to then, according to the vin decoder I have the M52/TU engine production date
2000-05-25. If I look with my phone light at the throttle body (between the air pipes and other, difficult to see) it looks like there is a black kind of box on the front side.

Where do I plug the FGR interface in?

 

[Dobiwallah]

I found already some clear pictures on the .net version: http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=8000

On my way to ebay...

 

[Alan W]

It will work fine on your M52TU.. you need the control stalk and the little module.. take off the steering cowling and you will see a pre-cast aperture on the inside of the moulding which you need to carefully dremmel out (the control lever/stalk goes on the right hand side of the column directly underneath the wiper stalk) and there is a slot to slide the control stalk already there waiting. You then have to remove the under dash panel and locate the module plug on the loom which will be tucked away somewhere around the pedal box (some find it really easy to find and others spend ages locating it) and then the module plugs into the loom and the other end plugs into the control stalk and away you go. I was fortunate to have another owner fit mine whilst I watched as I'm not that clever although having watched the process I could probably fumble my way through it. Good luck and let us know how you get on.. it was the best bang for the buck mod on my car and I love it!!

 

[Brian H]

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-m54-cruise-control-retrofit.25/

 

[Dobiwallah]

https://zroadster.org/articles/bmw-z3-m54-cruise-control-retrofit.25/

Oh thanks, even better! I did a search on the forum, but this didn't show up

 

[Dobiwallah]

I have an automatic, do I still need to bypass the clutch switch plug?

 

[Brian H]

I have an automatic, do I still need to bypass the clutch switch plug?

Good question, If the loom is in the car for the clutch I suspect you will need the clutch bypass switch, the CC disables when you engage the clutch, if you do not have this link in place then your CC will never work. As far as I know it is just a jumper wire in a connector.

 

[Brian4]

Didn'the any other bits for our auto just the interface and switch. Year 2000 3.0

 

[Dobiwallah]

I bought an used control switch on fleebay for US22.50 plus US12.50 and interface unit on cars245.com for US$54.70 plus US$28.64 shipping (DHL). I'm not really familiar with this company, could not find any reviews, but I gave it a try. Paid with paypal, so I always can get a refund if things go wrong. Now the waiting starts...

 

[NZ00Z3]

Good hunting and well priced too.

 

[Dobiwallah]

Good hunting and well priced too.

Thanks mate

 

[Dobiwallah]

I have installed the switch, the interface hasn't been send yet. The switch only took 5 days from the USA.
When installing I came across some other wires and was wondering what the purpose is.
There are 6 wires going to my steering wheel. Is this for extra options to put in your steering wheel. The Z came with a M steering wheel.
There is also a blue plug hanging under the right side of the steering wheel. What is this for?

 

[Alan W]

I have an automatic, do I still need to bypass the clutch switch plug?

Don't worry about the clutch switch... not required for auto car.. all you need is the control stalk and the module.. my car is a 2.8 M52TU auto and I bought the little clutch thingy (which is basically a little plug with a wire loop on it) but it wasn't needed.

 

[Brian H]

I have installed the switch, the interface hasn't been send yet. The switch only took 5 days from the USA.
When installing I came across some other wires and was wondering what the purpose is.
There are 6 wires going to my steering wheel. Is this for extra options to put in your steering wheel. The Z came with a M steering wheel.
There is also a blue plug hanging under the right side of the steering wheel. What is this for?

Six wires =

Airbag circuit 1 - 2wires
Airbag circuit 2 - 2wires
Horn circuit - 2wires

HTH

 

[Dobiwallah]

Mission accomplished! Today I received the interface unit. I clicked both side in and went for a short test drive. And it works I should have known this 4 years ago that is was so easy. And the fact that is just works after plugging it in. It's not what you expect. I only have to place the foot well panels back in the weekend.

Thanks for all the input.