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Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284129] Thu, 06 August 2015 12:23 Go to next message
lw8000 is currently offline  lw8000   United States
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Registered: July 2012
Location: S.E. Michigan
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Hello all,

Our cruise has not worked since we purchased the coach a couple years ago, and I'm going to look at it soon. I'm assuming that either the transducer or the diaphragm is dried out and will need to be replaced. I've checked the vacuum lines and connections and they seem to be good.

The transducer also causes the speedometer to pulse a little bit, so I may end up just swapping that and the diaphragm and see how things work. I see the "A1 Cardone 36-102" transducer out there, it's a remanufactured unit and looks to be an exact replacement.

Anybody used one of these remanufactured units by A1 Cardone? I see they have good reviews out there, but I was wondering if anybody has tried one on the coach with any good or bad stories. I didn't see any talk of these so far.

Thanks!


Chris S. - 77 Kingsley, 3.70 FD, mostly OEM - S.E. Michigan
Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284133 is a reply to message #284129] Thu, 06 August 2015 13:13 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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I assume you've tested the vacuum switch on the brake pedal and it's working properly?
My experience with Cardone is "lower - middle class'. When purchased from the national chains though, you normally get a forever warranty. Save the receipt and if it pukes, take it back for anopther one.
Also have a look at the speedo cable from the trans to the cruise transducer. It runs close to the driver's side exhaust system and can get very hot. If it fails by seizing, it can do Bad Things for the governor gear and leave you with a 1 speed trans.


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284140 is a reply to message #284129] Thu, 06 August 2015 14:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
thainglo is currently offline  thainglo   United States
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Location: Iowa
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Chris - have you gone thru the troubleshooting in the manual? I was getting ready to tear into my non-functional system then found I was getting zero power off the oem brake switch. Once I dismantled it and cleaned the contacts, the cruise control worked perfectly.

Hope yours is that easy!


Matt Sladek 1976 Eleganza II Coralville, IA
Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284154 is a reply to message #284129] Thu, 06 August 2015 19:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Location: Tucson, AZ.
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Go this route to be sure: http://appliedgmc.com/prod.itml/icOid/884

I replaced mine because it definitely had issues, but the turn signal stalk switch turned out to be bad as well. It works perfectly now.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284157 is a reply to message #284154] Thu, 06 August 2015 20:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MikeT   United States
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Registered: November 2009
Location: Marine City, Michigan
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Senior Member
Carl, my turn signal stalk is intermittent and drives me crazy. Sometimes will come on right away and others I need to push jiggle for minutes. What is the solution?

Mike Thomas Marine City, MI 77 ex Palm Beach

[Updated on: Thu, 06 August 2015 20:22]

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Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284159 is a reply to message #284154] Thu, 06 August 2015 20:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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Fix the speedo first, that cable needs to operate smoothly, and there is also the likelyhood that the cruise transducer is causing the pulsation you are seeing.

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: [GMCnet] Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284164 is a reply to message #284157] Thu, 06 August 2015 21:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Are you aware that the CC switch has 3 positions: Released, Engaged, and
Coast (released)? In other words, you only push the button in half way to
engage the CC.

Ken H.
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284165 is a reply to message #284164] Thu, 06 August 2015 21:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MikeT   United States
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Registered: November 2009
Location: Marine City, Michigan
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Yes Ken. I learned that the button on the switch is three way. Found that out the hard way after a 6 hour trip without cruise, thorough testing per Jim Bounds instructions and then he explained how the switch works. My stalk failed a few years back and I replaced it with one from the parts coach. Now this one is acting up. Wonder if I can use the wires and just install a toggle switch. Once it's engaged works great execpt the +or- 10 knots.

Thanks Chris for the cruise control thread.


Mike Thomas Marine City, MI 77 ex Palm Beach

[Updated on: Thu, 06 August 2015 21:32]

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Re: [GMCnet] Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284169 is a reply to message #284165] Thu, 06 August 2015 21:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Here's the best answer, IMHO:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/guy-27s-album/p55443-pdf-of-j-sharpe-cruise-control-install.html
Ken H.


On Thu, Aug 6, 2015 at 10:30 PM, Thomas Mike wrote:

> Yes Ken. I learned that the button on the switch is three way. Found that
> out the hard way after a 6 hour trip without cruise, thorough testing per
> Jim Bounds instructions and then he explained how the switch works. My
> stalk failed a few years back and I replaced it with one from the parts
> coach.
> Now this one is acting up. Wonder if I can use the wires and just install
> a toggle switch. Once it's engaged works great execpt the +or- 10 knots.
> --
> Mike Thomas
> Troy, MI
> 77 ex Palm Beach, 77 Royale (rear bath)
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284173 is a reply to message #284157] Thu, 06 August 2015 22:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
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MikeT wrote on Thu, 06 August 2015 18:15
Carl, my turn signal stalk is intermittent and drives me crazy. Sometimes will come on right away and others I need to push jiggle for minutes. What is the solution?


I borrowed a known good switch from my mechanic friend to test the system. It worked perfectly with the good switch. I then acquired a switch from a fellow GMCer (Jim Decheine) who was changing his to the updated "Rostra" system.

I don't know whether the switch can be cleaned with electrical contact cleaner or not, but it might be worth a try.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: [GMCnet] Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284175 is a reply to message #284165] Thu, 06 August 2015 22:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
wally is currently offline  wally   Canada
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Registered: August 2004
Location: Omaha Nebraska
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Senior Member
MikeT wrote on Thu, 06 August 2015 21:30
Yes Ken. I learned that the button on the switch is three way. Found that out the hard way after a 6 hour trip without cruise, thorough testing per Jim Bounds instructions and then he explained how the switch works. My stalk failed a few years back and I replaced it with one from the parts coach. Now this one is acting up. Wonder if I can use the wires and just install a toggle switch. Once it's engaged works great execpt the +or- 10 knots.

Thanks Chris for the cruise control thread.

You might try squirting contact cleaner in the cruise button and then exercising it a bunch of times. Got mine working with this.


Wally Anderson
Omaha NE
75 Glenbrook
Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284183 is a reply to message #284133] Fri, 07 August 2015 07:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lw8000 is currently offline  lw8000   United States
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Registered: July 2012
Location: S.E. Michigan
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Johnny Bridges wrote on Thu, 06 August 2015 13:13
I assume you've tested the vacuum switch on the brake pedal and it's working properly?
My experience with Cardone is "lower - middle class'. When purchased from the national chains though, you normally get a forever warranty. Save the receipt and if it pukes, take it back for anopther one.
Also have a look at the speedo cable from the trans to the cruise transducer. It runs close to the driver's side exhaust system and can get very hot. If it fails by seizing, it can do Bad Things for the governor gear and leave you with a 1 speed trans.


I have not inspected that side of the system yet (switch). I will definitely do that. The transducer has some resistance to it and causes a fair amount of pulsing with the speedometer so I think at a minimum we'll replace it. I'll probably test the diaphragm with a vacuum pump but if it's a cheap enough part we'll probably just replace that as well.

Yes I definitely hear you on the speedo cable near the manifold, we've wrapped ours with heat shield material just in case. In fact, I did that because we did have our old governor gear get stripped while on a trip, with the 1st gear only issue you mention!! The issue actually turned out to be a bad reducer that we had purchased with the 3.70 final drive, the reducer locked up and caused the governor gear to strip.


Chris S. - 77 Kingsley, 3.70 FD, mostly OEM - S.E. Michigan
Re: [GMCnet] Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284199 is a reply to message #284175] Fri, 07 August 2015 09:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim at the Co-op is currently offline  Jim at the Co-op   United States
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Location: Orlando Florida
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If you open up an original transducer, you see a pretty crafty high school
science project but still it's pretty reliable. 2 of the 4 coaches Janie &
I drive use originals and they perform great! If you have ever driven with
a cruise with up/down control you will miss not being able to cross your
legs while driving but life is tough everywhere... To my knowledge, A1
Cardone is the only supplier supporting the original transducer and the
diaphragm is only available at your local Mens Mall.

The original turn signal/ cruise control stalk is now only made in
Unobtanium which is the #1 reason we install a new, computer controlled, RF
remote, interior mounted cpu, up/down resume unit. Down the road, it will
get more difficult to get transducers rebuilt. I gave like 20 cores to A1
Cardone so they would keep their production rebuild line going.
Restorations of course get the new hot shot set up but still those original
deals are kinda neat and if it stops working it won't put me on the side of
the road so playing with this system does not have to be a serious matter...

Jim Bounds

On Thu, Aug 6, 2015 at 11:55 PM, Wally Anderson
wrote:

> MikeT wrote on Thu, 06 August 2015 21:30
>> Yes Ken. I learned that the button on the switch is three way. Found
> that out the hard way after a 6 hour trip without cruise, thorough testing
>> per Jim Bounds instructions and then he explained how the switch works.
> My stalk failed a few years back and I replaced it with one from the parts
>> coach. Now this one is acting up. Wonder if I can use the wires and
> just install a toggle switch. Once it's engaged works great execpt the +or-
> 10
>> knots.
>>
>> Thanks Chris for the cruise control thread.
>
> You might try squirting contact cleaner in the cruise button and then
> exercising it a bunch of times. Got mine working with this.
> --
> Wally Anderson
> 1975 Glenbrook
> Megasquirt 455 port injection science project
> Omaha Nebraska
> Bob Stone hydroBOOOOST
> Greater Midwest Classics
> GMCES
> http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
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Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284201 is a reply to message #284129] Fri, 07 August 2015 09:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
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Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
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Most drivers don't know how to use the tap up/ tap down 1MPH increment feature that GM has had for about 25 years anyway.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284202 is a reply to message #284199] Fri, 07 August 2015 10:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bob de Kruyff   United States
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Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Jim at the Co-op wrote on Fri, 07 August 2015 08:00
If you open up an original transducer, you see a pretty crafty high school
science project but still it's pretty reliable. 2 of the 4 coaches Janie &
I drive use originals and they perform great! If you have ever driven with
a cruise with up/down control you will miss not being able to cross your
legs while driving but life is tough everywhere... To my knowledge, A1
Cardone is the only supplier supporting the original transducer and the
diaphragm is only available at your local Mens Mall.

The original turn signal/ cruise control stalk is now only made in
Unobtanium which is the #1 reason we install a new, computer controlled, RF
remote, interior mounted cpu, up/down resume unit. Down the road, it will
get more difficult to get transducers rebuilt. I gave like 20 cores to A1
Cardone so they would keep their production rebuild line going.
Restorations of course get the new hot shot set up but still those original
deals are kinda neat and if it stops working it won't put me on the side of
the road so playing with this system does not have to be a serious matter...

Jim Bounds

On Thu, Aug 6, 2015 at 11:55 PM, Wally Anderson
wrote:

> MikeT wrote on Thu, 06 August 2015 21:30
>> Yes Ken. I learned that the button on the switch is three way. Found
> that out the hard way after a 6 hour trip without cruise, thorough testing
>> per Jim Bounds instructions and then he explained how the switch works.
> My stalk failed a few years back and I replaced it with one from the parts
>> coach. Now this one is acting up. Wonder if I can use the wires and
> just install a toggle switch. Once it's engaged works great execpt the +or-
> 10
>> knots.
>>
>> Thanks Chris for the cruise control thread.
>
> You might try squirting contact cleaner in the cruise button and then
> exercising it a bunch of times. Got mine working with this.
> --
> Wally Anderson
> 1975 Glenbrook
> Megasquirt 455 port injection science project
> Omaha Nebraska
> Bob Stone hydroBOOOOST
> Greater Midwest Classics
> GMCES
> http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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There are still plenty of the original transducers available in the men's malls. Some have a 2 terminal connector and some have 3. The 3rd one is for the dash light, but any of them will work. I always try to spin them by hand to see if they are any good. I converted mine to a resume feature using the original stalk and it works reliably. I still like the originals because they don't try too hard to maintain the exact speed on grades. They are easily adjusted to maintain the correct set point on the level.


Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
Re: [GMCnet] Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #284207 is a reply to message #284202] Fri, 07 August 2015 10:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim at the Co-op is currently offline  Jim at the Co-op   United States
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Registered: May 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Karma: 2
Senior Member
Yeah, they're out there. If you do that get several to make the odds of
getting one operational. If everything else works it will.... or not.

Jim Bounds

On Fri, Aug 7, 2015 at 11:00 AM, Bob de Kruyff wrote:

> Jim at the Co-op wrote on Fri, 07 August 2015 08:00
>> If you open up an original transducer, you see a pretty crafty high
> school
>> science project but still it's pretty reliable. 2 of the 4 coaches
> Janie &
>> I drive use originals and they perform great! If you have ever driven
> with
>> a cruise with up/down control you will miss not being able to cross your
>> legs while driving but life is tough everywhere... To my knowledge, A1
>> Cardone is the only supplier supporting the original transducer and the
>> diaphragm is only available at your local Mens Mall.
>>
>> The original turn signal/ cruise control stalk is now only made in
>> Unobtanium which is the #1 reason we install a new, computer controlled,
> RF
>> remote, interior mounted cpu, up/down resume unit. Down the road, it
> will
>> get more difficult to get transducers rebuilt. I gave like 20 cores to
> A1
>> Cardone so they would keep their production rebuild line going.
>> Restorations of course get the new hot shot set up but still those
> original
>> deals are kinda neat and if it stops working it won't put me on the side
> of
>> the road so playing with this system does not have to be a serious
> matter...
>>
>> Jim Bounds
>>
>> On Thu, Aug 6, 2015 at 11:55 PM, Wally Anderson
>> wrote:
>>
>>> MikeT wrote on Thu, 06 August 2015 21:30
>>>> Yes Ken. I learned that the button on the switch is three way. Found
>>> that out the hard way after a 6 hour trip without cruise, thorough
> testing
>>>> per Jim Bounds instructions and then he explained how the switch
> works.
>>> My stalk failed a few years back and I replaced it with one from the
> parts
>>>> coach. Now this one is acting up. Wonder if I can use the wires and
>>> just install a toggle switch. Once it's engaged works great execpt
> the +or-
>>> 10
>>>> knots.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks Chris for the cruise control thread.
>>>
>>> You might try squirting contact cleaner in the cruise button and then
>>> exercising it a bunch of times. Got mine working with this.
>>> --
>>> Wally Anderson
>>> 1975 Glenbrook
>>> Megasquirt 455 port injection science project
>>> Omaha Nebraska
>>> Bob Stone hydroBOOOOST
>>> Greater Midwest Classics
>>> GMCES
>>> http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> There are still plenty of the original transducers available in the men's
> malls. Some have a 2 terminal connector and some have 3. The 3rd one is for
> the dash light, but any of them will work. I always try to spin them by
> hand to see if they are any good. I converted mine to a resume feature using
> the original stalk and it works reliably. I still like the originals
> because they don't try too hard to maintain the exact speed on grades. They
> are
> easily adjusted to maintain the correct set point on the level.
> --
> Bob de Kruyff
> 78 Eleganza
> Chandler, AZ
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Re: Cruise control transducer, A1/Cardone any good? [message #288575 is a reply to message #284129] Mon, 12 October 2015 12:26 Go to previous message
lw8000 is currently offline  lw8000   United States
Messages: 201
Registered: July 2012
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 1
Senior Member
As always, thanks for all of the replies. We ended up getting the A1 Cardone 36-102, seems like this is the only one out there so we swapped out the original and it's working great! I did try spinning the old one like some of you mentioned, and yep, it is not smooth at all, thus was the cause of our pulsing speedometer. The new one is smooth and is working as it should, no pulsing and turns freely. I am not sure if our switch on the stick was good or not but I used some contact cleaner like you mentioned, and it's working fine. As for the brake switch, it looks like it's buried behind the dash just to the right of the pedals, no idea how to get in there to access it, but we're good so we won't mess with it for now. We also didn't mess with the diaphragm as it's working and the current one looks to be in pretty good shape.

Thanks!


Chris S. - 77 Kingsley, 3.70 FD, mostly OEM - S.E. Michigan

[Updated on: Mon, 12 October 2015 12:27]

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