Team-BHP - DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea
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-   -   DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-do-yourself/196822-diy-cruise-control-fiat-linea.html)

First things first


DISCLAIMER

If you try this and render your car inoperable / burnt to ashes / worthless piece of junk - you are responsible, I am not
If your car is in warranty and you do not want to lose it, stop reading now
This post is exclusively for Linea Owners.
I have only tested this on the Old T-Jet (2010 model) and the 1.4 FIRE (2011 Model). Both have Bosch ECU ME 7.9.1. I have no idea if it works in other models



Now that we have that out of the way, here is the process:


Things you will need

24 - 26 AWG automotive grade wire - 2 meters each of 5 different colours. If you do not get different colours, you can use the same colour, but mark each end with a different coloured insulation tape after cutting to size
2 mts corrugated tube
Alfa 147 cruise control stalk - I used this. Other possibilities exist.
Set of 5 (5 male & 5 female) - Round pin type solder-less wire crimp terminals
3 sets of two way connectors
4 numbers TE MQS connectors - Part number 968220-1
Licensed copy of FIATECUScan / MultiECUScan software - I have version 3.4.2 of FES and it works great.
ELM327 USB ECU OBDII scanner
Basic tools - wire stripper, crimping tool, pliers, screwdriver set, etc.



Steps:


Before doing anything else, disconnect battery negative terminal and wait for 10 minutes. On opening the bonnet, you will see a black rubber grommet at the left corner, just behind the power steering fluid container. The bonnet lock release cable will be routed through this. You will also see a thick rubber padding above the plastic trim, that holds the wipers. On moving this trim, you will see that the plastic trim is screwed down to the body with a Philips head screw. Undo that screw and you should see another rubber grommet on the body, through which the bonnet lock release cable will enter the cabin. With a screw driver, make holes into both grommets.


Now pass through a thick (10 gauge) wire or a GI wire from the engine bay, though the grommets into the car. This will eventually pop out inside the car from behind the fuse box. Take 4 lengths of the 24/26 AWG wire, strip the insulation approx 1 inch and tie to the wire you just inserted. Make sure you do not have any sharp edges that might snag somewhere. Now start pulling the thick wire you inserted back into the engine bay, till all the four wires come out. Cut off the thick wire.


Now that we have routed 4 wires to the engine bay, we have to connect them to the ECU. Here is a short video of how to open the ECU connector.

https://youtu.be/k2O_K5Kjicc


Once you have that open, detach the semicircular lid on top, to expose the wires connected to the ECU.

DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-connector-lid.jpg


Now turn the connector over and remove the purple tab that locks the pins in the ECU.


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-img_1063.jpg


Now, crimp and terminate the four wires we have with MQS connectors. One wire already plugged in. So you are seeing only three wires.


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-img_1065.jpg


All four wires connected to the plug. The MQS connecters go in only one way and lock with a reassuring click.


Once inserted into the ECU, they will look like this:


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-img_1066.jpg


The pins to connect to


Pin 61
Pin 84
Pin 85
Pin 86


At this point, make a note of which colour wire is connected to which pin. Now that we are done with wiring to the ECU, it is time to finish the end inside the car.


Ground work, before we start the connection inside the car.


The Alfa 147 stalk that I bought looked like this:


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-cc.jpg


The part that is meant for fitting on the steering column, does not fit the Linea (It is meant for the Alfa, remember?). So that part needs to be cut off


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-cc-modified-1.jpg


If you are able to find a suitable female connector for the stalk, you can skip this step. I have used 3 two way connectors. You can use a single 5 way connector as well.


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-cc-modified.jpg
Now take the end of the four wires we connected to the ECU and crimp and connect the other half of the two way connectors to them. This is where, our notes made when connecting to the ECU come in handy. The Alfa stalk has 5 wires. The connection need to be made in the following way.


Yellow wire - 12 V DC in
Orange wire - to Pin # 85
Blue wire - to Pin # 86
Red wire - to Pin # 84
Green wire - to Pin # 61


Now take off the lower portion of the steering column shroud. It is held up by 4 allen screws (3 mm) and 3 Philips head screws. 2 of the Philips head screws are hidden beneath the steering wheel tilt adjustment lever, so releasing that lever and bringing the steering to the lowest position first is necessary. Once you have the lower shroud off, take off the oblong piece of plastic that extends from the headlight / turn indicator lever. Now use your imagination to fit the modified stalk to this piece. Doing this step, before connecting replacement connectors to the stalk wires will help in getting a better fitment. I did not think of it and ended up with a rather awkward fit.


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-img_1050.jpg
You might have noticed that we still have the yellow wire on the CC stalk, not connected to anything. We need to provide a +12 V source to this. I used the fuse marked "Sub woofer" in my car. Any source - direct from battery, splicing into another wire or even from the cigarette lighter socket, though it may not look very elegant. At this point, if you put everything back together, you should have a working cruise control in your car. However, you may not have an indicator light in the console or message in the MID.


The following steps will enable this functionality:


Connect the ELM 327 to the OBD port (located in the fuse box under the steering wheel), connect to laptop, turn key to MAR and fire up FIATEcuScan / MultiECUScan software.


Choose your vehicle and connect to Dashboard Module, Marelli Instrument Panel, go to the tab that reads "Actuators", scroll down to Cruise Control and click Execute. A small green light should come on in the bottom left of the Console.


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-cc-light.jpg


This is just to ensure that you have the LED in your dashboard console. Now disconnect from the module, go back to the main menu and select STILO 1.9 JTD as your car and connect to Body - CAN Setup / PROXI Alignment Procedure.


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-proxi1.jpg
You will get this pop up


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-proxi2.jpg
Click Y, select the adjustments tab. The very first option should be Cruise Control Light. Select that and click Execute. You will get another pop up. Choose enabled and click OK. From the same screen select PROXI ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE - the last item and execute. You will get 2 pop ups, one asking you to read all the notes and another as pictured earlier, saying the vehicle is properly configured. Click Y on both, let the process finish.


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-proxi3.jpg


Now, if you turn off the car, wait for 5 seconds and then turn back to MAR and turn the CC stalk ON, you should see this:


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-wp_000401.jpg

DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-wp_000402.jpg


Now you are all set to go on that highway drive and cruise along . As an added bonus, you will also notice that from the second time onwards (i.e. after having started the engine at least once post installation), every time you get in the car and turn the key to MAR, in addition to all other check lights, the CC light will also come on for 2 seconds.


The Cruise Control works exactly as described in the Europe Manual of the Linea.

DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-manual-cc-page-1.jpg

DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-manual-cc-page-2.jpg


My observations after installing and using this feature :

  1. CC is unfit for a MT car is a myth. One just has to remember to slot into 4th / 5th before hitting the RES button. It works even if you are in 2nd, but revs hard to get to the preset speed.
  2. CC is not fit for Indian roads / traffic is also a myth. You can set any speed, starting from 30 kmph.
  3. The acceleration when you hit RES is linear and very nice
  4. I have been using this & am seeing a 15% improvement in FE whenever I use it


DIY: Cruise Control for the Fiat Linea-cc-mileage.jpg

Here is a short video of the CC in action

https://youtu.be/SPJlJu7Dju0

I did this install sometime in 2013 and all pictures posted here are old.

Thanks for reading.

Thread moved from the Assembly Line section to the DIY Section.
Thanks for sharing!


I am sure this will benefit a lot of members, as well as non members. :thumbs up

That is some excellent work!
It's a pity Fiat excluded this from the Indian version.
So it's only the stalk that Fiat saved on? and 1.5m of wire??
I'm sure Fiat India is rolling in the moolah after all that saving!
Bravo Fiat or rather Fiat Bravo :P

P.S: I was curious about the tab holder in the video and discovered you made it yourself. Do you have more details for the holder in terms of fabrication, where to get the different parts etc?

Quote:

Originally Posted by stewie (Post 4370569)
That is some excellent work!

Thank you.
Quote:

P.S: I was curious about the tab holder in the video and discovered you made it yourself. Do you have more details for the holder in terms of fabrication, where to get the different parts etc?
That was made with ABS sheets. Completely handmade, except the locking screw, which was salvaged from a broken phone mount. It clamps on to the gaps above & below the OE headunit. Here is how it works
https://youtu.be/T_zU6Dc8bRE

This is terrific work and when I mentioned about doing a similar mod for the Ecosport AT, i was advised not to mess with it as the risks of mishap were high. However i was confident nothing would happen if properly installed, for a mishap can occur with any electrical part.

After the lapse of my warranty, would definitely try this out.

My old Alfa 156 had a similar deal (cruise control was only available for the 147!?. The provision was there on the ECU and the connector could be found under the steering cowl. They still chose not to put that option on the 156. Fiat?!?! clueless as ever.

Indeed a great diy. However will this modify hamper the insurance if you meet with an accident? will insurance guys deny the claim stating the ECM was tampered?

Absolutely astounding diy! Kudos! clap:
Can you let us know the sources of your research?
I'd like to start researching it at some point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatchyBoy (Post 4369972)
I have only tested this on the Old T-Jet (2010 model) and the 1.4 FIRE (2011 Model). Both have Bosch ECU ME 7.9.1. I have no idea if it works in other models

Hi Rajan, first of all, hats off for your DIY effort, at first look everything looks well executed. Given that you are toying with the ECU, without seeing a glowing MIL sounds good.

Bút, before I jump to any conclusion, would like to ask a few things -

1. So as I understand, the ECU came with a Software which supports Cruise Control. You did the required wiring and activated CC feature using a diagnostic tool?

2. Does the cruise control activate and deactivate EXACTLY as mentioned in the users manual? For e.g. deactivation while applying Clutch pedal?

Important is the deactivation part if something goes wrong, else it is like playing with fire.

Spike

I like the passion with which you have got the DIY successful. But, if someone asks

1. Will you recommend this DYI for others to do themselves - Answer would be "No"

2. "Will you do it yourself in your car?" My reply would be,

I will continue to rely on my own hands and legs to maintain/alter the speed of the car rather than the DIY mentioned in this post.

I am sorry in advance if my post demotivates enthusiasts over here. But, ultimately, it is not just one life. it is 5 people's life inside the car and several lives outside the car. Unless it is time tested DIY, these are risky.

For me, this is like a common man doing heart surgery of a healthy man. fully dangerous. This is purely my opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkveda (Post 4396696)
I like the passion with which you have got the DIY successful. But, if someone asks

1. Will you recommend this DYI for others to do themselves - Answer would be "No"

2. "Will you do it yourself in your car?" My reply would be,

I will continue to rely on my own hands and legs to maintain/alter the speed of the car rather than the DIY mentioned in this post.

I am sorry in advance if my post demotivates enthusiasts over here. But, ultimately, it is not just one life. it is 5 people's life inside the car and several lives outside the car. Unless it is time tested DIY, these are risky.

For me, this is like a common man doing heart surgery of a healthy man. fully dangerous. This is purely my opinion.

For what it is worth, I have done extensive research on this mod, which has been done by several owners in Poland & Russia. This mod has been working fine in my car for the past 5 years and it has been working fine in all the cars where this was done.

If this is a mod which hasn't been tested and would put lives in risk, I guess I don't have the guts to do it. This mod only allows access to a feature that was already in the car but wasn't enabled by the manufacturer.

Each to his own, I suppose.


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