Cruise Control Pick Up *On* Speedo Back? Mk3 VSS w/ pix!

[Vanagon Nut]

Hi all.

Had a bizzare engine stall on I-5 while doing 70 MPH. Not fun. Am addressing this total mystery by doing a blanket attack. This has never happened before, so recreating it would be tough. Anyhow....

Part of the blanket repair attack includes finally installing a VSS pickup for my swap. It appears to be the same or similar part used in the Vanagon for cruise control. I've read that there's rev limiting or engine cut out issues after a certain RPM (5K?) if no VSS installed. Not sure if this is the problem, but it can't hurt to install it.

Type A question, but does this inductive pickup sit ON the black plastic or slightly below it? Want to make sure pickup is correct distance from speedo, uh, disc (?)

Edit: prior to posting, searched the gallery here and images on line. In a Vanagon, it seems this part sits on the plastic. Just need a Vanagon-ite to confirm

Pics of it installed:

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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[Jake de Villiers]

Hey Neil,

When I installed Dan Fleming's VSS in my van I just punched out the little plastic aperture and screwed the cruise sender in place, then wired it up according to his simple instructions.

...I just went out and had a peek at Dixie's cluster and there is a a protrusion on the back that makes it look a little different but the cruise switch mounts the same way so...

There's a thread on Dan's VSS that might offer some tips: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=338812

Good Luck!
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[Vanagon Nut]

Hey Jake.

Saw that image in the gallery. I needed a side view. Anyway, it's installed sitting on back, not partway in. In the thread you linked to:

[Jake de Villiers]

[Vanagon Nut]

Jake.

Yah, it should be the same mounting. It's a diesel cluster but that shouldn't matter. Edit: thanks for checking.

The flame out remains a mystery. It seems heat (ambient) was the difference (I've driven 70+ MPH before, no issues) so I made some changes like moving the relay box away from "hot" (upper) coolant hose, installed a small shield to that effect, installed an intake snorkel, double checked and moved some wires (exhaust had melted the FLAPS type wire cover in some spots but not wire casings themselves) etc.

It seems that most issues with a lack of VSS in this particular engine management are rev limiting. But then I read of one or two people claiming the engine cut out. I've also had a continuous hunt for idle, engine up to temp, shut down, parked then started again. I've read that idle issues can be had by you VanaSuby swappers if no VSS present. I don't think in my case that the lack of VSS is the cause of that, but if I can kill two birds....

Fingers crossed,

Neil.
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"VW gas I4 Conversions" Google Group is being shut down.

1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[MarkWard]

In my research, I read that the early vanagon speedos had the knock out in the plastic, but may not actually support a VSS signal. I can not verify this, because I ended up installing a replacement cluster from an 86. mark

[Vanagon Nut]

[MarkWard]

It is nice to see a photo of an actual vanagon VSS sensor. I ended up using one from a later Jetta and having to solder wires on to it. For the TDI, it gets key on power, ground, and the 3rd lead runs to the ECU.

I added the VSS for the cruise control. Coincidentally the engine developed a problem after adding the sensor. The TDI has it's own syndrome called SDS or slow down shudder. Without the input from the VSS, the ECU had no idea if we were moving or not. It prevented the adaption from completing and was storing an error code.

With the VSS, the adaption completed, the cruise began to work, the code was gone, but coming to a stop, the engine would shudder. I was able to solve it with the "hammer mod" after doing some reading.

I replaced my cluster because the original foil had turned to dust. Neil, Go Westy had the brown t/s cruise replacment switches in stock. I just installed it to replace the Jetta one. It looks much nicer now. A fellow Samba member had pointed that out some months ago and I ordered one immediately. mark

[Vanagon Nut]

[MarkWard]

Neil, of all the things I have done to our Vanagon, including adding AC, the cruise control is the best. When we take cross country trips, it is not uncommon to drive 600 - 800 miles a day. I don't think we could do it without the cruise control. On the highway, we get up to speed, set the cruise on 71mph and off we go.

If all you need is to add a switch to have cruise and maybe solder a few wires, I highly recommend you do it. I can make you a smokin deal on a jetta cruise switch if you don't want to purchase the vanagon one. Here is a picture with the Jetta cruise switch. You can see it is out of alignment, but does work. mark

[Vanagon Nut]

[r39o]

I made my own:

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[Vanagon Nut]

[purplepeopleeater]

I'm guessing that any pre 1992 Audi/vw with cruise should have a vss like this yes? I am on the hunt for a different vss then what's being offered by some, I had nothing but problems with my over the cv pickup(environment problems, snow and dirt)

[Vanagon Nut]

[hans j]

I have a 2 pin pickup in my hand from a cabrio and it's part number is 321907344. I'm curious to see what happens here as I need a speedo pickup for my TDI conversion.

I also have a vanagon cruise control stalk to use as well as the speedo pickup from that cluster.
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

[r39o]

[kbeefy]

Is all the this info applicable to a Syncro? I've read elsewhere that a Syncro uses a different signal from a 2wd and would very much like to get cc working on mine.

[purplepeopleeater]

Comparing info off the TDI group it looks like a Syncro you'll need to use the Dakota Digital unit to control the pulses per mile, but I think the 2wd one doesn't need it as it won't exceed the high speed govener.

but I could be talking outta my butt cause I haven't personally tried this.

[Vanagon Nut]