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MikeCo

Our new Fiat based Burstner has cruise control but the handbook refers to a different kind of stalk to the one fitted.
I have had it working but I'm not sure how because I had tried several times without success but then it suddenly worked.
I understand the basics as I have it on the Volvo but would someone with a new Fiat please tell me what I do with the lever to start it off, and also what the buttons on the end do. I can see that moving the lever up or down adjusts the speed and I noticed that when I pulled it forward it stopped working.
Also there was not any indication on the display that Cruise Control was on, should there be?
I'm still dubious how it can work with a manual gearbox though.
Any response would be useful.

Hymie

Our new Hymer has it fitted.

There is an indicator light showing on the dash when switched on.

The end of the stalk twists to switch on and off - you can accelerate or decelerate by using the stalk in the correct direction + or - as required.

The resume button is on the end of the stalk.

Hope that helps

Cheers

bandaid

On the subject of cruise control, if I slow down, and then push switch "resume, mine seems to just boot the throttle to get back to the original set speed, no subtlety, it like the cruise control thinks petrols still 5 bob a gallon. do all systems work like this or is it just these cheapo US petrol vehicles that do it.

Just wondered, like Smile

gaspode · Moderator

UncleNorm

Hi MikeCo and all! I couldn't resist responding to this one!! Rolling Eyes

In the beginning, I could not get my CC to work as it should, then suddenly it would!!

I read the handbook and re-read the handbook. I did everything as it said.

I turned the knurled knob and the display confirmed: "Cruise Control On". As if you've got time to sit waiting for that to scroll across the display!

I accelerated to the desired speed, say 50mph, then moved the stalk upwards for "at least a second". 0 - 1! Then I removed my foot from the gas pedal. Great! The MH slowed down! Dangerous move!!

Failure! Crying or Very sad

Strangely, if I kept nudging the stalk upwards, the MH would eventually gather speed. The stalk then allowed me to alter the speed without problems.

By touching the brake or clutch pedal, the CC is temporarily disengaged but the "resume" button on the end of the stalk soon got the MH back up to speed. Yes, it is a bit rapid!

The one problem I needed to resolve was the INITIAL activation of the CC.

The answer came home with me from the USA, which we visited for six weeks, during which time I drove three different motors. All vehicles have CC over there. Press the button or move the stalk and it's engaged. Simple. Quick.

So, once back home, at the first opportunity, I went out in our MH. Up to 50mph, turn knob, read message telling me what I'd done (in case I forget quickly!) THEN HIT THAT STALK!! Not for "at least one second". Just HIT the bl**dy thing and take foot off gas! Lo and behold, Cruise Control engaged instantly. I turned it off, then back on, HIT THAT STALK. Super!

I checked this method several times, to the point where I was getting really cocky! THEN I KNOCKED THE STALK DOWNWARDS!! And the CC engaged instantly! WOW, you can engage CC by knocking the stalk up or down!! I bet Fiat don't know that! Wink

Since making this discovery, I have done a few hundred miles and used the CC many times, without a problem. In a nutshell, I just IGNORE the line that tells me to HOLD the stalk FOR AT LEAST ONE SECOND. I just hit it!

My consumption when coming back from the Spalding Flower Show was 29.3mpg. I'll settle for that!

EdsMH

MikeCo

Is it an original Fiat CC or aftermarket? If the latter it is normally push away from you and it switches CC on; pushing up sets the speed and accelerates if you hold up; pushing down decelerates and pulling towards you disengages the CC but keeps speed in memory.

You may have a couple of buttons on the end of the stalk and they are for meorising two different speeds.

May be worth posting a piccie so we can see what you have got.

Regards

Ed

UncleNorm

Hello Ed!

If MikeCo has a new Burstner on a Fiat chassis, I would expect the controls to be the same as mine, which is a factory-fit original.

Didn't I read somewhere that Fiat do not do retrofit?

Quick point: I'm not aware of any option on the stalk which allows for the CC to be disengaged temporarily, other than touching the brake/clutch pedal. I'm happy to learn!

EdsMH

Hi Norm

When I ordered our Burstner the vans in the build slots did not have Fiat cruise on them so we had the choice of waiting many monnths or let the dealer do an aftermarket one.

We went the latter route and it has been OK. I do not know how good the Fiat one would be but the aftermarket one is not as sophisticated as my modern car ones. It really is just a speed sensor and throttle control I think.

Ed

Bubblehead

Hi

Weve got CC on ours (fiat fit) I had similar problems as you with it seeming to have a mind of its own. The solution is very simple, make sure that you lift you foot off the gas before you flick the stalk up. If you do it when your foot is still down then it will cancel the command and you just slow down. I always tap it up twice just to be sure. I leave the switch set to CC most of the time and use it every chance I get as the MPG is better. If I need to accellerate I use my foot until Im at the required speed the switch to CC.

Andy

MikeCo

Thanks for the various replys, it is a new Burstner with only 400 miles on the clock although according to the Fiat number the base vehicle was built around July 2007, almost certainly on a Monday morning or a Friday afternoon. It could however have been put together by the cleaners on a Sunday as the wipers don't work on intermittent and the brake's squeal.
There is nothing to turn so I assume that the lever is pushed away to engage it. When it did come on there was no indication on the display that it was on.
Our next trip out will