Vacuum pod for Cruise Control

[Red Ryder]

Looking to replace the vacuum pod (not the vacuum pump) for the cruise control in the engine bay. I think the diaphragm is leaking. Can’t seem to find one online. Yes, I saw the used one offered in the classifieds.
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“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
Tornado Red

[vanis13]

[16CVs]

077 133 185M put this number into Google, I found it on E bay.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[bheins]

I think that's that part number is for the manifold. Try 077198327A
Stacey, have you used one of these in the vanagon?

Bernie

[16CVs]

I have not used one. It looked the right part number. The Audis use them fir their VVT. Same part, you just change the connector to what you need.

Stacy
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Red Ryder]

Saw those on eBay. Wasn’t sure if it was the correct part.
_________________
“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
Tornado Red

[ALIKA T3]

[satchmo]

Older Range Rovers also use the same vacuum pod, and I think you can find them new/unused if you look around.

Satchmo

[DLJ]

I have used the part mentioned by Stacy. It needs a slight modification. Works perfect. I bought it from one of the Samba members.

[Red Ryder]

[Howesight]

If the vacuum actuator "holds" a vacuum, then it is good. When you say that the actuator only opens the throttle a bit, how much vacuum are you applying?

The reason I ask those questions and make those comments is that the typical problems with the Vanagon cruise control (which is essentially the same system used across all VW and Audi cars in the same years), is that the most common problems are:

1. The vacuum/electric switches at the brake pedal and the clutch pedal can develop vacuum leaks which will result in the throttle only opening a bit while the vacuum pump keeps pumping away;

2. The vacuum hoses can be damaged by light, ozone, etc and develop leaks;

The vacuum/electric switches can be restored quite nicely by disassembling and replacing the o-ring and applying oil in the cylinder in which the o-ring slides. See this excellent youtube video from Van-Again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcIL_K9H8zQ

Don't bother buying the new replacement vacuum/electric switches. Restoring your OEM ones is dead simple.

The other frequent headache with these CC systems is the tendency for the turn signal stalk CC switch to get coated with schmutz on the electrical contacts. That is repairable also. Those stalk switches are NLA, so you will have no choice but to repair if that problem crops up. Here is a thread that shows you how to do that job:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=677602

One final comment: The CC computer is designed to tell the vacuum pump to "give up" after a few seconds if the CC is attempting to increase throttle opening, but the vehicle does not speed up. This is designed to anticipate a vacuum leak and keep the vacuum pump from burning itself up.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[vanis13]

[Diy2k]

Did I sell you the pod?

It held air when you close the ports. Tested it with wd40 on the rubber as welts check for cracks.

I would inspect the hoses as well. They become brittle anywhere they bend.
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1987 VW Vanagon Wolfsburg Weekender
2012 Ford Transit Connect Xlt

[DanHoug]

[davideric9]

The instructions in the "how to" thread sited by Howesite can be a bit distructive, breaking the part of the plastic that keeps the switch from sliding out. The thread "Cruise Control Switch Secret - Revealed - Video" shows a safer method to disassemble and some simple tests to determine if you need to take it apart at all.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[Red Ryder]

OK. I think I'll have another look at the brake vacuum switch. I have cleaned and serviced it, but perhaps I did not adjust it properly when reinstalling it.
_________________
“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland

“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition
Tornado Red

[davideric9]

I should have mentioned there is an excellent troubleshooting guide for the cruise control in the Bentley manual.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[DanHoug]

[Howesight]

Hey Dan:

I totally agree on the failsafe overkill that VW (and Audi) employed on their cruise control. I made my own cheap cruise control from junkyard VW and Audi parts, more as a lark than to save money. I did not use the vacuum valve aspect, although I did use the electric part of those switches.

The CC control computer also receives an input from the brake pressure switch on the brake master cylinder. Double redundancy is good enough for me.

I suspect that the whole VAG group was so spooked by the Audi 5000 "unintended acceleration" myth/debacle/hype that they went overboard on their CC systems in the '80's.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[Red Ryder]