How To: Add cruise control for $27

[Mach]

Step 1:

Go to a dealer and have them print you out instructions for a cruise control add on kit.

Step 2:

Go to a U-pull it junkyard. Find a Neon.
Get the following:
actuator w/ connector (just in case your ride isnt wired for cruise control)
vaccum tank w/ hoses
steering wheel back cover
steering wheel buttons
clockspring

If you are unsure what you need or how it looks.. refer to the intructions you got from the dealer. They have pictures of all the parts you need.

My car was already prewired for cruise control. Yours maybe too but if its not the instructions will tell you exactly what to do.



All those parts cost a whopping 27 dollars and 3 hours of my time.





Mac

[occasional demons]

Sweet, nothing like cheap options for something that can save a little fuel if used properly.

[aperson]

What do you drive? For future reference just fill out your garage an profile info and then you'll have a link to what you drive right under your location. I ask because if it's an 03+ then I may be stopping at the junkyard this weekend and picking some stuff up.

[2k1MotorSport]

i already grabbed the back cover, buttons and clock spring... however the motor was taken out of the car. So for now, it's a dead option. I have to many other thing to worry about before carlisle. But i will have to keep my eyes open.

[Pablodragon]

Step 2:

Go to a U-pull it junkyard. Find a Neon.

Mac

uh, yea...here's the problem I, and a number of others have mentioned... cant find a Neon in a Junkyard...crap

[aperson]

Step 2:

Go to a U-pull it junkyard. Find a Neon.

Mac

uh, yea...here's the problem I, and a number of others have mentioned... cant find a Neon in a Junkyard...crap

I got 3, two SXTs and an R/T.

[boxcarfan]

mtx matter any?

[aperson]

It shouldn't, but you downshift it and it will change the RPM to keep speed.

[racer12306]

Depends on what the automatic trans does to help maintain speed. I know in some cases the auto will downshift or unlock the convertor to maintain speed.

[occasional demons]

It shouldn't, but you downshift it and it will change the RPM to keep speed.

All MTX's I driven with cruise control disengage when the clutch is depressed. If you want it in a lower gear you have to hit resume. Otherwise the engine would bounce off the rev limiter if the clutch was in for a long enough time, due to the car slowing and the speed control trying to maintain speed. IIRC the speed control will also kickout if the MTX is knocked out of gear. The rpm's will rise slightly then drop.

[CrashTeam]

Step 2:

Go to a U-pull it junkyard. Find a Neon.

Mac

uh, yea...here's the problem I, and a number of others have mentioned... cant find a Neon in a Junkyard...crap

And people say our cars a junk, theres a reason why there arnt many in junk yards! lol

www.car-parts.com and find a yard with a whole neon and call them and let them know what you need, thats how I get any stock parts I need.

[Mach]

My car is a 2002 mtx. It works fine. The cruise control will disengage if the clutch is depressed

[boxcarfan]

could you umm...take pictures of the things you took off if it isnt too much trouble...there are no junkyard around here with neons lol...and i have an 02 so i can only look for 00-02 right? or can i do the 03s-05s also?

[lilschmied]

03 and up used different controls on the steering wheel I'll get some pictures in the am of my stuff for you. basically if you follow the second cable off the throttle body you need everything attached. inside the car the main thing you'll have trouble getting is the clock spring with the right wires on it as you'll have to pull the steering wheel to get to it (personally I'd buy a new one due to the nature of the clock spring but a used one will work).

[lilschmied]

vacuum canister 2 nuts under the cowling hold it on. Make sure you get the vacuum lines attached to it!


cruise control cable is the inner of the 2 loops on the throttle body.


clockspring is tucked behind the steering wheel the cruise control one has 4 plugs non cruise has 2 this is my old one.


and finally the speed control servo.

only other things you need are the back steering wheel cover(3 screws) and the buttons that you'll have to remove anyhow to get to the clockspring. and possibly a wiring harness if you car does not have the wiring already. Grabbing all mounting hardware obviously.

To see if your car already has the speed control harness grab the wiring to the ac canister and follow it along the fender. If you have a cruise control harness it will most likely be taped to the inner fender tucked out of sight. So follow the wire and if it's there you should feel it or see it.

[aperson]

The wiring you're talking about, it should be tucked behind the AC canister right? I think I feel something when I just checked but it's raining and I don't have time to pull it apart now.

[lilschmied]

yes mine was directly below the front most bolt on the servo mount. taped to the inner fender like i said follow the wire from the ac canister towards the front of the car and feel around mine was wedged in there pretty darn good.

[01neon01]

how difficult was it for you to connect the cruise? how long did it take you to do it?