Question for MDC Cruise owners

[ulflyer]

I've read lots of search threads on this forum about the MDC control and everyong says its so easy, it just needs to be plugged into proper plugs and its ready to go.

But then, after looking at the installation instructions on the Smartmadness site, pages 12-13 have lots of details about setting the unit....or somesuch.

Frankly, I simply don't understand what the information on these two pages is trying to tell me .

Is the unit a plug and go, or does it require doing all those things that is described on the above two pages?

Call me "Numb Newbie in N.C."

[kdfcogwheel]

In an answer, yes. What you are primarily setting is the Sprint Booster. It is pretty easy and quick as compared to the install. Good luck. Mine works really great. Totally happy with it.

[John_H]

Paraphrasing:
. "Is it A) plug & go, or B) requiring setup."
. "Yes."

Pet peeve: ask a question in 2 parts, get a response to one. Which one?

My understanding (not owning an MDC) is that the unit is Plug & Go. The only reason to play with the settings is to enable or adjust different features such as the speed-booster-like pedal mapping feature, speed limiting, and such.

It's unfortunate that the descriptions of the features and setting techniques are mediocre translations, bet they're better than some we've seen out there in the wild.

[Terry Stibal]

It's unfortunate that the descriptions of the features and setting techniques are mediocre translations, bet they're better than some we've seen out there in the wild.

The installation of the cruise control are just fine as written. The operation instructions could use a section stating that the "on-off" button on the MDC control operates differently from other cruise controls - I read through both set up and operation instructions at least a dozen times, but I never picked up on that little tidbit, and went through some grief as a result.

The section applying to the speed limiter left my poor old head spinning. I THINK that I understand what it is supposed to do, adn I have a pretty good idea how it should work, but reading the instructions for it makes me dizzy.

The booster/throttle set point adjustment is something that has a multi-step procedure to set, but it seems to be straightforward enough. Time enough for that later, however.

[ulflyer]

Terry: I take it you've not yet installed yours? Perhaps you can explain it to me later on....in plain english? I have no qualms about the mechanical part of the installation; just the jibberish mainly on pp. 13.

Also, how does one drill a hole thru dash for the LED without the drill twisting the fabric?

[Terry Stibal]

Nope, mine is in and fully functional. I just have not bothered (intentionally, that is) with setting the speed limiter (I had set in any number of times without known, this when the on-off button functions were not clear to me) or the booster (no time). After I close everything in the car up following the filing of my tax return, I'll then take the time to set the booster to see what it does.

As for the hole through the steering wheel column cover, I can't help you there. Instead of an external mount, I went for the OEM install approach. It involved taking the speedometer enclosure apart and cutting a small hole into the correct light channel for the cruise control icon, but difficulty was minimal and the final effect was worth it.

...or rather it will be, once I get a more intense LED to replace the one that came with the kit. During daytime, the LED is not intense enough to show well through the mask over the LED displays. (At night, it shows up fine, if at about one third of the intensity of the others in the cluster.)

I cannot stress hard enough the fact that all of this installation, from the wire up of the control/speed limiter/booster box through the demolition and rebuilding of the speedometer cluster, is well within the abilities of anyone capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. There is no "cutting" beyond the ends of installed wire ties (plus the optional method of putting the LED through the steering column cover), no wire stripping or splicing, no soldering or disassembly of connector pins - none of the stuff that most associate with do it yourself auto work.

You do need to follow some very basic precautions. Disconnecting the battery is the first of these, and it is a must. Watching where you put tools and the like in the car is another one - we have leather seats, and I didn't relish a screwdriver hole through one of them.

But, anyone capable of following simple instructions can do this. No mechanical attachments to the car (everything is pop off and clip on, right down to the new wiper stalk).

And, it works like a charm. The cruise control immediately sets to the current speed and, as far as I can test it in hill free Houston, it holds it well.

I cannot speak to the other one (the one from Area 451). Both are quality products, from what I have been told. However, the Area 45 apparently works well, even though it is a bit more difficult to install and requires some disassembly..

[ulflyer]

Terry, thanks for the details. I will probably have at mine one day next week. Its a shame the mfg didn't provide a brighter LED to begin with. I'd like mine installed in the speedo cluster also but wouldn't want to take it apart a second time.

[Rich M]

MDC Cruise Installation
I installed mine last Thursday on a 93 degree Florida day, wait for a cool day!!!!! Took me about 2 1/2 hours including running to the house to look at my computer for instructions, and to cool off.
If you have a laptop, set that on the passenger seat, will speed things up in a big way, I could do a second one in an hour on a cool day, as I wouldn't need any directions. Be sure to read everything in the directions including the transmission reprogram, so you won't momentarily panic as I did.
Be sure you have the 3 or 4 tools including the torx 10 & 15.
One thing they don't mention, is to install the LED in the dash before putting the speedo back in. Tape the area where you need to drill, mark your spot with a sharp pick, drill small holes first, I found a P size drill was perfect, Smart Madness said final hole should be 5/16, that was too tight, P size is perfect.
I didn't worry too much about the speed limiter and the stuff on pages 12-13 as I will never use the speed limiter, or speed max.
When you reattach your battery connection after the install is done, have the instructions open to page 16, and don't panic over what you see or don't see on the speedo.!!!
Do set up the Sprint Booster. While it does not give your motor any more horsepower, it makes shifts a bit faster and there is less bog or hesitation in the 1-2 shift in D position. I used the middle or position three. When you get into the setup mode and get the yellow LED, the actual LED flashes for what setting you are at are in RED on the LED, this drove me nuts, as I was thinking it should be yellow. On the first day of driving with the sprint booster set at 3, I found the accelerator a little sensitive, on the second day I was used to it, and would never change back. This one feature sets the MDC unit apart from the other unit on market, in addition to the plug and play, and is very imortant in my view. If anyone has a MDC and has not set up the sprint booster it is well worth doing, (no more speed or horsepower) but very noticeable on shift quality.
This unit is manufactured by Delphi and is first rate, I have Delphi cruises on a couple of my Harleys, and operation is super smooth, and I felt if they could make a smooth cruise for those things, than anything else would be a piece of cake. That was the reason I originally selected MDC.
That was my recent experience.
Rich

[John_H]

What makes you think the unit is manufactured by Delphi rather than MDC simply using one of their parts?

[Rich M]

RE Mfg:
Like everything else I read it somewhere, and Delphi is marked on a couple of the parts, namely the wiper stick, and a connector. Forgot to look at the contoller, as I was soaked with presperation by that time. Is the unit that you promote completely manufactured in house?
Rich