Cruise Control

MichaelDHam · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2006, 06:48 PM

I have been talking to my Toyota Dealer in Durham, NC and to no avail at the moment of getting a cruise control added to my 2007 Yaris 2 Sedan. Anyone else having this problem or is it localized to my area? Is there one available through Toyota? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

nhparrot · #2 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelDHam

I have been talking to my Toyota Dealer in Durham, NC and to no avail at the moment of getting a cruise control added to my 2007 Yaris 2 Sedan. Anyone else having this problem or is it localized to my area? Is there one available through Toyota? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

There is not a Cruise Control add-on available from Toyota.

http://www.mnrelectronics.com/toya20crcoki.html

http://www.rostra.com/cruise-control.htm

cookiemech · #3 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006, 11:22 AM

I installed the cruise control from M&R on my wife's Yaris hatchback and it works very well. Cost was right around $250 delivered.

Interesting to note that the factory service manual shows factory cruise control switch in the stock location (just like a Tundra). But you can't buy the Yaris that way, at least not in the US. The Rostra cruise (sold by M&R) is located on the left side of the steering column (at about 8 o'clock) and is not quite as convenient. But I have a very similar cruise control on my 2001 Echo with the identical control switch (since you couldn't get a factory cruise unit in that either) and it works just fine and holds the speed precisely.

violin · #4 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006, 03:13 PM

How detailed are the instructions for installing the Rostra unit? Did you find it easy to insatll?

I have been thinking about getting one, but don't want a major headache installing it.

violin · #5 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006, 03:18 PM

Fuuny that you can't get it through your dealer in NC as Toyota dealers have the exclusive on the Rostra unit in that area.

The unit for the manual transmission is supposed to be available sometime this month. It is already available for the automatic: http://www.rostra.com/pdf/yariscruiseaftermarket.pdf

cookiemech · #6 (**permalink**) 06-11-2006, 06:59 PM

The instructions were quite explicit, but like most instructions there were errors. You need to have a bit of experience in installing electrical components and some patience to use them successfully. It's tight working up under the dash; you need to install several "T splice" connectors on existing wires. They don't explain the operation of these connectors; I'm an electrical engineer and have worked on car electrical systems for
quite a while and have never seen them before. You squeeze the connectors on the existing wires, and then plug the spade connectors from the cruise wiring into them. It works very well, but was a first for me (I'm used to the type of 3M connector where you bring the wire to be spliced parallel to the existing wire and use the connector to join them; this is a different approach.)

There is a connector on the transaxle which must have a wire spliced to one of its wires, and that one is difficult to access. Again, patience is a virtue, because you really need to disconnect the connector and feed it up to a place where you can work with it.

Another problem is that there are two electronic modules which must be secured near the main junction box under the dash. They provide double-sided tape, but it doesn't stick well to the junction box or the plastic where they tell you to put one of the modules. There really aren't any good places to hook plastic wire ties, so you need to work around that.

You also must remove most of the fasteners holding the left front inner fender and let it hang down to fish one of the wires through. It is important to know how those fasteners work or you will break them, and it will be annoying to try to buy new ones. Three or four of them are particularly vexing, as they are the ones which would be used if you had mud guards. With those, you need to squeeze them inward at opposite corners with a thin-bladed screwdriver while tugging them out. After you do the first one, it will be apparent.

It's about a two-hour job for someone who's done it before and maybe four if you haven't.

violin · #7 (**permalink**) 06-12-2006, 10:38 AM

Yikes!

Thanks for the explanation. It sounds like something I'd rather pay someone to do.

cookiemech · #8 (**permalink**) 06-12-2006, 08:26 PM

My soon-to-be-ex-nephew-in-law (figure that string out) has a new Yaris and lives in Florida. He paid $400 for his cruise control (same one) installed by the installer used by his Toyota dealer, so the labor works out to about $150.

mikeblanco · #9 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 02:12 PM

Similar problem finding a cruise control for a Yaris. My girlfriend bought one with a standard transmission in July and was told to bring the car back in two weeks and get the cruise control installed. Since then the dealer kept telling her it was on back order. It was only when she called Toyota proper to complain that she found out the truth, there is no kit being sold by dealers in the South East.

I just exchanged e-mails with someone at Rostra who says the part will be shipping to SE Toyota dealers in October. We'll see. In the meantime, where are people getting these kits?