Any upgrade to cruise control? 1993 E350

[simonov]

I am addicted to cruise control and use it n all our cars that have the feature.

We recently purchased a 1993 Jamboree Searcher on a Ford E350 460 chassis and the cruise control is not optimal. Instead of steady cruising, it is constantly accelerating and decelerating slightly, like a beginning driver. Unless it's an issue with a speed sensor or something I was wondering whether anyone has heard about a firmware upgrade that can fix this. It's very unpleasant riding with the cruise control, but in heavy traffic I use it anyway because it's one less thing to think about.

Other than that, it works well. For example, coming down Cajon Pass above San Bernardino, the cruise control controls the speed very well, unlike some I have used that will allow the car to speed up dangerously. It's just that jerky ride we are trying to avoid.

[dufferdj]

You might check to see if your specific vehicle is affected by the Ford cruise control recall. The recall covered a lot of years and a lot of cars and trucks and might include your E-350.

[maillemaker]

The cruise control cable broke on my 1990. I replaced it with some found 1/64" diameter braided stainless steel cable and new crimp balls, but the cruise still does not work.

The problem with these older machines is parts are often just no longer available.

I wonder how hard it is to install aftermarket cruise?

Steve

[carringb]

Besides a bad vacuum canister, a rusty cruise control cable (running between the vacuum chamber and throttle body) can cause erratic operation.

[j-d]

I guess a vacuum leak could do this. We had an older C with a carbureted 460. Long time ago, but I remember the Cruise had to be supplied by Manifold Vacuum not Ported Vacuum. If the Cruise is using vacuum to control the Throttle and the Throttle is changing the Vacuum, you can guess it isn't going to go smoothly.
Also, our EGR valve failed, rusted out. When we replaced it, the system got out of whack again. I fixed that with an improvised "vacuum restrictor."

Looking at Amazon, they have several new cruise units around $200. 21st century electronic design.

[Travelcrafter]

I'Like sch911 has mentioned, look for dry rotted vacuum hoses and a rusted out canister. sounds like a vacuum leak to me.

[sch911]

1993 firmware really?

Pretty sure it's an analog electric and vacuum based system. There should be a vacuum storage tank under the hood, these used to rot out and could cause this type of issue. Good luck.