CharlieG

There is a spring-loaded clip on the airbag spring which I've had problems with. It is a very strange component, because the only purpose it seems to serve is to keep the airbag spring from rotating when the wheel is removed for service. The problem is that it is always rubbing against the steering wheel and making creaking/clicking noises if it isn't lubricated. This noise is also felt through the wheel as you describe.

I'll see if I can post up some pictures later today if you are interested.

Cool. Are you going to do a completely OEM hack, complete with the console switch? That's something I've been thinking seriously about doing.

I have this crazy idea, I doubt it has been done before. For XM or GPS antenna pods, how about finding a cranny in between the canvas top and the interior liner? Somewhere toward the latch would ensure that the antenna wouldn't go under the tonneau and would always have a clean signal. All you'd have to worry about is the routing of the wires, and epoxying or bolting a bracket inside the mechanism.

24mm. 15/16ths should work in a pinch.

Orient Express, that looks really nice. Did you look into finding where the dome light wire came from, or did you do it with the A-pillar because it was simpler to do?

Loren and I got together this afternoon...SUCCESS! The timing couldn't be better, since we are about to go on about a 2,000 mile road trip. :)

Turned out it was the additional cluster setting, which was hidden further down a menu.

Thanks Loren! I think this is the first left-hand drive '03-'04 car to enable this hack?

Well, bummer! I'd really been hoping to find I'd done something dumb on the wiring side. Actually I still need to check to see that the B7 is getting power, but I doubt this is the problem.

Thanks anyway everyone for your help, especially Loren.

I wired the connector according to the numbers on the connector, which sound like they are wrong. But I don't see any numbers on the female stalk connector.

Do you happen to remember the colors of the wires on the stalk? Right now I have the following:

C17-->Blue

B7-->Black (this wire is thinner than the others)

C4--Yellow

C1-->Brown

I'm hoping I just need to reverse these, but I'm afraid that the thin black wire is a giveaway that it is indeed the power lead which should go to the B7 as it already does.

If the input values of the switches aren't shown by the PST2, check the wiring. It is easy to get the plug and socket on the stalk connector the wrong way round. It isn't polarised very well. I've seen this happen more than once. Also, check the operation of the clutch switch and brake light switch with the PST2. If the clutch switch has slipped in its mounting bracket the cruise won't engage.

Today I went over to Loren's to enable the computer, and unfortunately it didn't work. Switch continuity check on the computer showed that on/off worked, but was turned "off" when the acceleration contact was activated. Pretty straightforward symptom of crossing my wires, I was thinking.

Tonight I pulled everything apart and verified that the wiring appears correct:

Cluster -->Stalk

17 --> 1

(B7) --> 2

4 -->3

1 -->4

Loren felt that it was strange that the cruise light didn't at least go on, since the on/off was functioning. I pulled apart the cluster and confirmed that my car does have a "bulb" there (actually they are all board-mounted LED's on this '04).

The only thing I can think of is that perhaps my B7 isn't wired correctly? Any other ideas guys?

Thanks,

Charlie

I think I saw this hack a few years ago, but if I recall it wasn't done too professionally (using a wire all the way up to the "dome" light via the A-pillar).

I searched this site and didn't find anything.

I'm just wondering if this hack could be done OEM style, using a wire to the fusebox (probably shared with the overhead light) and a couple trunk interior light parts. Actually I think there is even more to the $700 option, because I think it also adds a switch to the console?

The trouble with this hack is that most people only do it once, so have to go through the learning curve. The second time is MUCH easier!

Yes, I can see doing this hack in a couple easy hours now!

Well, since I've done such an "advanced" hack I'd like to go ahead and do a bunch of others now! :)

Whew, I just finished up the work! And my car still runs, the airbag didn't go off, and everything looks good.

Now, to find a mechanic or dealer to activate it! Anyone know someone with a hacker-friendly business in the Bay Area? It would be worth it for me to make the trip from Sacramento.

Chris, I can't say I enjoyed the hack, but I did make it through it. (We'll see if it really worked soon!)

I'm not sure you'd have the same problems as me, but here are things that especially annoyed me:

- Removal of the hazard indicator switch

- Finding 22 gauge braided wire

- Connection removal in general

- Solder dripping into the connectors and blocking them off

- Getting to the back of the fuse box was a pain

I could probably write a book on the whole thing, but I'd rather forget it. I [will] have cruise control, finally, that's what important!

Just do it and feel free to ask questions.

Thanks Richard.

I finally started my installation. I delayed it for weeks because I was sort of dreading it, and also because I couldn't find my radio code...which in fact was dumb because I learned the '03+ system doesn't have codes!

Anyway, my car is in pieces right now and I'm pleased that nothing was that tough.

Could someone help me with the power cable? I understand I need to tap fuse B7, but how is this done? Do I need to pull out the whole fuse assembly and splice a wire from behind? I think that's pretty much my only question in this process.

Excellent, Richard. Thanks for posting again. I ordered my parts last week and will be doing the hack soon.

Yeah, its me from PPBB, we swapped a couple messages there. I keep forgetting to call a dealer for a price; if it is not crazy I'd rather go with a new stalk assembly. I thought I read somewhere that it was only $150 or something? I had a bad experience a long time ago with a used Honda stalk and it was such a pain to put all the labor in and realize that there was a reason somebody was getting rid of the old part!

I better get going here because I'm going on a 2,000+ mile trip in June and I need that cruise!

Thanks Richard. I'm also going to throw my name into this thread, I have an '04 986S without cruise but with OBC. Crazy. But anyway, the first thing I need to do is aquire a 4-stalk assembly.

Great thread, I'll be following it/adding to it very actively.