50 replies to this topic

[chicharrones]

Thanks to everybody at MO for all the info on installing the cruise control. I feel like Christmas came early. I can't believe I put 39,000 miles on my Matrix before I installed this set up, which only cost me $58.00 US in parts and shipping.

Since Vinster03XR brought it up, here is a "how to" using what I learned from everyone here. All credit is due to the prior posters in this thread http://matrixowners....opic=56433&st=0 . Thanks to Tigger, hammy233, Squashtowner, tcmatrix, river1, mariagwyn, losmorob, angusmcoz, tman_00, camryvibe, and anyone else I might have left out.

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These pics are from my install on my 2006 Matrix base model with a 5-speed tranny.

1st up, you might want to see if you have Drive By Wire. That's easy, look underneath your dash to see if it matches this pic.



If you have that, what follows should be all you need.

0. Pre-install. Write down all your radio presets and any head unit sound settings because you will be disconnecting the negative cable to your car battery. DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE CABLE FROM YOUR CAR BATTERY!! Thank you.

1. Parts: Cruise control switch assembly and clutch switch (clutch switch not needed on the automatic transmission Matrix). I got the cruise control from http://www.rockauto.com/ and the clutch switch from http://www.discounttoyotaparts.com/ .

Cruise Control Assembly part number: AC Delco D1919E
Clutch Switch part number: Toyota 88280-14030 (If needed)




2. Airbag removal part a. Remove the T30 Torx screws that hold the airbag assembly to the steering wheel. Note: Even with the screws loose, they might not be free from the airbag assembly. I had to slightly pry open the rear steering wheel cover by the airbag assembly to knock the screws clear with a small thin screwdriver. (See new photos later in this thread!)



3. Airbag removal part b. Remove the airbag assembly or lay on top of the steering column. Use rags to protect the steering column from the airbag screws. Remove the green wired horn ground at the plug and ground tab. Save for later use.



4. Wire swap part a. The green horn ground wire must be moved to the new cruise control assembly plug. Start by removing the white wire locks on both plugs.



5. Wire swap part b. To remove the green wire from its plug, take a very tiny strong wire (like a re-shaped staple) and push into the tiny hole directly above the small hole that the green wire is in. With a little finesse, the staple will release the green wire terminal lock and let the green wire slip out of its plug undamaged.



To be continued.......

Edited by chicharrones, 25 March 2008 - 09:02 PM.

[chicharrones]

6. Wire swap part c. Install the green wire to the left of the red wire and install the white wire lock.




7. Time to make a hole in your steering wheel back cover. Thoroughly check and measure where you need to make the hole for the cruise control to pass through. The cruise control lever is fairly wide and you also have to make sure the lever is somewhat centered in the hole so you can use the lever in the UP, DOWN, and FORWARD dimensions.

I used a drill to open up a starter hole and finished the job up with a Dremel rotary tool with a cutting bit to shape the hole. Then I used a fine grit emery cloth to sand the burrs from the hole. (This was the most intimidating moment in the install for me because I didn't want to buy another cover if I screwed this up.)



8. Mounting holes for the cruise control. I went metric and used 5mm diameter x 10mm thread length allen cap screws. I used a drill and tap (size 5mm x 0.80) to make the existing untapped holes in the steering wheel casting fit the cap screws I bought. After drilling and tapping, I put some blue Loc-Tite on the screws and snugged 'em down on the cruise control. Be sure to double check the clearance of the cruise control lever motion.

(Some kits come with self tapping screws for the mounting of the cruise control. If that's good enough for Toyota, that could be good enough for you, too.

Also, plug in the new cruise control plug and reattach the green horn ground wire on the ground tab.




9. Reinstall the airbag assembly and tighten the two Torx screws.


AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OWNERS SHOULD BE DONE AT THIS POINT. GO DRIVE SOMEWHERE AND HAVE FUN!


For the 5-speed Matrix owner, read on.

10. Clutch switch. Apparently all 5-speed Matrixes not made in America do not have the clutch switch installed. Since Matrixes are supposedly all made in Canada (like mine) they all need the switch.

Get on your back under the dash, look up top where the clutch pedal lever ends and remove the bolt and nut that act as a clutch pedal return stop. You may have to remove the dashboard change drawer (lower left of the steering wheel) to gain access with a socket and extension to this bolt.



Now install the clutch switch where you removed the bolt. After adjusting the switch for proper engagement, tighten the lock-nut. There is a wire assembly under your dash that has to plug into the new clutch switch. Mine was dangling free next to the clutch pedal lever against the firewall. Plug in that wire assembly to the new clutch switch. (If you think you already have a clutch switch, you may be looking at a starter interlock switch. New pics are shown later in this thread showing the difference in the switches.)



Clutch switch wires and plug as found under dash.


Hook your battery back up. Clean your car up and go for a test drive!!

When all is well, set your radio back up, and if you got that annoying seat belt beep back again go here for that procedure. http://matrixowners....showtopic=45649


This job took me about 3 honest hours due to getting all my tools out, figuring out how to make the steering wheel cover hole, figuring out where the clutch switch went, taking pics, cleaning everything up, and resetting my non-factory head unit.

(Be sure to check the other thread out started by Tigger, too. http://matrixowners....pic=56433&st=0)

Edited by chicharrones, 25 March 2008 - 09:06 PM.

[Stripes]

Excellent write up! It made my planning easy and showed me just where to look.

I got my switch from RocKauto and they were very fast and efficient. Cost was $33.87 delivered.

I also own a Corolla with factory cruise, the hole for the cruise is just about one inch square.

I had trouble finding the clutch wire but the last picture there of the clutch wire was great. I finally spotted the cable wrapping just as pictured and pulled at it and out came the plug for the clutch. Seems it had been tucked behind the radio unit of my after market remote entry. For those looking for the wire it is to the left of the clutch lever almost up against the left side wall. It drops down from above. My clutch switch isn't here yet so I had to jumper the contacts of the plug to get the criuse to work. It works just fine, can't wait for the clutch switch to arrive. You never know who will drive the car in the future.

[chicharrones]

Welcome to MO, Stripes!

[chicharrones]

I've been digging around for places to find the special cutting tools that come with some cruise control kits. Just in case any of y'all would like a more precise way of cutting the hole in the cover that the cruise control switch mounts to.

I had no luck of finding them separately, but the tools appear to be included with pricier kits from http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com/ just like mentioned in the previous thread that inspired this "how to". Be sure to call them about the tools before purchasing the kit.

Another bonus of the kits is you don't have to move the green horn ground wire like I did. You can see the tools shown in the manuals that are linked below. The kits cost quite a bit more money, but may be exactly what some installers want if you are not comfortable with cutting into your car's plastic.

Matrix/Corolla auto transmission kit

Matrix/Corolla auto transmission install manual

Matrix/Corolla manual transmission kit

Matrix/Corolla manual transmission install manual

Edited by chicharrones, 27 October 2007 - 09:03 PM.

[VitMa]

Hi,
I have 2006 Matrix (purchased new in US), based model with automatic transmission. I would like to add a cruise control, but I don't see the the "drive-by-wire" as discribed in very first step (quote: "1st up, you might want to see if you have Drive By Wire. That's easy, look underneath your dash to see if it matches this pic._..")
Is it possible that some of "base" 2006 models are not "drive-by-wire"?
Thanks,
Vitaliy

[matrixdude06]

where did you get those allen cap screws at? radio shack or hardware store?

[chicharrones]

VitMa, on Nov 5 2007, 02:36 PM, said:

Hi,
I have 2006 Matrix (purchased new in US), based model with automatic transmission. I would like to add a cruise control, but I don't see the the "drive-by-wire" as discribed in very first step (quote: "1st up, you might want to see if you have Drive By Wire. That's easy, look underneath your dash to see if it matches this pic._..")
Is it possible that some of "base" 2006 models are not "drive-by-wire"?
Thanks,
Vitaliy

From what I understand, 2005 and newer Matrix models have the drive by wire.

Double check what you have against the drive-by-wire photo. You'll notice that the photo is at the TOP of the gas pedal lever. It's so high that you will see the steering column going through the firewall to the left of it. (Just like in the photo.)

I suppose it's possible that your drive-by-wire looks a little different. Basically, if you DON'T have a mechanical cable (non-electrical) or linkage that goes from your gas pedal, through the firewall and to the throttle body you have drive-by-wire.

Drive-by-wire meaning the mechanical act of moving the gas pedal is turned in to an electrical input that goes through a plug that connects to a cable to the car's computer. The computer in turn controls the fuel injectors, etc.

Take a pic and post it up if you need to.

Edited by chicharrones, 05 November 2007 - 08:17 PM.

[chicharrones]

matrixdude06, on Nov 5 2007, 06:54 PM, said:

where did you get those allen cap screws at? radio shack or hardware store?

Home Depot, amazingly enough. Usually I have to go to a "mom and pop" hardware store to get metric fasteners.

[netwolf]

Excellent write-up, thanks! I've been trying to figure out whether or not my 2005 Matrix had DBW or not. Unfortunately, the answer to that is no (but at least I know).

So much for adding cruise...

[chicharrones]

netwolf, on Dec 6 2007, 06:38 PM, said:

Excellent write-up, thanks! I've been trying to figure out whether or not my 2005 Matrix had DBW or not. Unfortunately, the answer to that is no (but at least I know).

So much for adding cruise...

You have a steel cable running through your firewall?

I was led to believe that 2005 and up have only electrical wires attaching to the top of the gas pedal.

Edited by chicharrones, 06 December 2007 - 10:03 PM.

[matrixdude06]

some 05s & 06s actually have a throttle cable oddly enough

[chicharrones]

matrixdude06, on Dec 9 2007, 08:47 AM, said:

some 05s & 06s actually have a throttle cable oddly enough

Bummer!

Netwolf, there is apparently a kit for the non drive-by-wire Matrix's too. It's entirely different and probably a bit more work to install and definitely a bit more costly. Check it out at the Cruise Control Store.
http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com/cgi-b...yout_custom.xsl

[xmabo]

chicharrones, on Nov 5 2007, 07:58 PM, said:

matrixdude06, on Nov 5 2007, 06:54 PM, said:

where did you get those allen cap screws at? radio shack or hardware store?

Home Depot, amazingly enough. Usually I have to go to a "mom and pop" hardware store to get metric fasteners.

Thanks again to chicharrones and all others who started this thread.
Just purchased 08 Matrix and, of course, base comes with no cruise control, but power everything else!
It has the clutch switch already hooked up, so I installed the D1919E commutateur. Was simple enough with all the photos here.
Getting the 30T torx out was a pain--I had to actually enlarge the hole a bit with dremel tool.
Now it's all installed and the test drive ....... cruise light comes on, but NO ACTUATION OF CONTROL, no SET, no ACC, no RES.
The on/off works great with cruise light, but nothing else. Any thoughts on this?

Hope it's not tied into the disarming of the seatbelt chime which I did last week before this install. Wouldn't that be just like some computer guy's idea of a virus for DIY's?

[chicharrones]

xmabo, on Feb 6 2008, 04:34 PM, said:

Now it's all installed and the test drive ....... cruise light comes on, but NO ACTUATION OF CONTROL, no SET, no ACC, no RES.
The on/off works great with cruise light, but nothing else. Any thoughts on this?

Hope it's not tied into the disarming of the seatbelt chime which I did last week before this install. Wouldn't that be just like some computer guy's idea of a virus for DIY's?

Sorry for the delay. Have you figured it out yet?

I just took a look in my Trix. Yes the Matrix comes with a clutch switch from the factory that is for the Starter Interlock. The Starter Interlock Clutch Switch is actually against the firewall.

You need to look up the clutch lever from that point about 6 inches. You will be looking up under the dash and may have to get on your back to do so. Near the top of the clutch lever you will see a thin rubber pad on the clutch lever that rests against a bolt that is the clutch lever stop. The Cruise Control clutch switch replaces that bolt!

Just to make it more clear, the Starter Interlock Clutch Switch does not have the clutch lever against it until you press the clutch pedal.

The Cruise Control Clutch Switch has the clutch lever pressing against it all the time, unless you press the clutch lever.

[chicharrones]

I should have made this more clear, so here are some more pics.

This is NOT the Cruise Control Clutch Switch.


This one is. However, you have to install it in place of the bolt shown in the 2nd post.

[xmabo]

chicharrones, on Feb 8 2008, 08:48 PM, said:

I should have made this more clear, so here are some more pics.

This is NOT the Cruise Control Clutch Switch.


This one is. However, you have to install it in place of the bolt shown in the 2nd post.

Thank You for clarifying the location. Great pics and yes I found the correct bolt. Now finding that wire is the next challenge.

I will post results.

[xmabo]

xmabo, on Feb 9 2008, 08:20 PM, said:

chicharrones, on Feb 8 2008, 08:48 PM, said:

I should have made this more clear, so here are some more pics.

This is NOT the Cruise Control Clutch Switch.


This one is. However, you have to install it in place of the bolt shown in the 2nd post.

Thank You for clarifying the location. Great pics and yes I found the correct bolt. Now finding that wire is the next challenge.

I will post results.

Finished install of clutch switch this morn. Hot damn! java script:add_smilie("","smid_41")I am a happy man! Thank you again chicharrones and this thread for the DIY! Fantastico!
Here's the rest of the story...I called the dealer about them installing this. I was told by the parts dept. manager that it could cost upwards of $2000 for the parts to put in cruise control. I am going to call the service dept. ask if they know of this procedure. I think with the knowledge and tools available, a service tech could install this in about 1 to 1.5 hours and charge $300 for the job.

[rocky29oct]

Hello All,

I am new to this forum and took lot of time to understand that i have to buy a paid subscription in order to reply to any topic.
anyway, i have base model of matrix 2006 (auto. trans.) and i wanted to install cruise control. so i googled it and it lead me to this forum. i bought the control arm from one of the sites mentioned in this forum. Yesterday i was trying to install it but could not remove the airbag cover. As it mentioned inthis forum that even if the side screws are loose its hard to remove the cover. Then i searched it again and it mentioned inthis forum that you had to remove the airbag assembly rubber cover.
Can you give me the specific details with pictures (if possible) showing how to remove that cover.

Thank you.

Rocky

[chicharrones]

rocky29oct, on Mar 23 2008, 07:09 AM, said:

Yesterday i was trying to install it but could not remove the airbag cover. As it mentioned inthis forum that even if the side screws are loose its hard to remove the cover. Then i searched it again and it mentioned inthis forum that you had to remove the airbag assembly rubber cover.
Can you give me the specific details with pictures (if possible) showing how to remove that cover.

Welcome to the forum, Rocky!

Here are some different pics that may help. You are removing the entire airbag assembly, not just the cover.



The torx screws will either just lay sideways or fall down into the steering wheel cover. Either way you won't lose them and can get them back after you get the airbag assembly off.



The hard part is that even when the screws have been unscrewed, the screws don't want to come out of the steering wheel rear cover. That keeps the screws partially engaged into the airbag assembly. I had to use a very small, thin screwdriver to come in from the front by the airbag assembly to knock the torx screws down and out of position. That allowed the airbag assembly to tilt forward, then you can lift it up and out, off of a tab at the bottom that the airbag assembly rests on.

You could use a small steel ruler or a thick feeler gauge in place of the thin screwdriver I mentioned. Anything that will fit in the small seam in between the airbag assembly and the steering wheel rear cover that the torx screws are held in. The photo doesn't show the gap pried open to get the screwdriver or steel rule inside. I couldn't take a pic and do all that at the same time.

I didn't even unplug my airbag assembly like some have. I just laid it on top of the steering column on a rag.

Be sure to let us know how it worked out!

Edited by chicharrones, 25 March 2008 - 09:11 PM.