While installing my new fuel shutoff solenoid, I got a real good look at the injection pump throttle mechanism and the 2 cables attached to it. I have 2 questions about the cables. One cable comes out of a small device mounted on the frame next to the engine. It only has electrical wires going into it. The other cable comes from a air cylinder which is mounted on the wall in "front" of the engine. There are also in this area several air lines, valves, regulators, wiring, relays, and a metal box that says Bendix. (See photos below) I know one of the cables is the throttle, and one is the cruise control, but.......
(Dumb) Question #1: "Which is which?".
(Not so dumb) Question #2: The cable coming from the air cylinder is in pretty bad shape. I'm surprised it still works. It is marked "MORSE 303192 47.8" 5745". Would anyone have a source for a new one? A quick Google search didn't return any useful results.
Thank you for your patience. I'm still learning!
The one on the frame is the TPS, Throttle position sensor
The one on the firewall is the cruise control
Gary B
So does the Bendix air cylinder thingy act as both throttle and cruise control?
Yes, Bendix CC are obsolete tho there is a guy up north that can rebuild them. Someone here will have his name.
Gary B
Trying to educate myself on the Bendix system. Came across this online manual. Not exactly the same setup as on my coach, but close enough to be helpful:
http://www.newellowner.com/Newell/BendixCruiseControl.pdf (http://www.newellowner.com/Newell/BendixCruiseControl.pdf)
So NOBODY (among those reading this forum) has EVER had to replace this throttle cable? Or ever HEARD of somebody needing a new cable? I find this hard to accept. I have found some posts on several BlueBird forums pertaining to this same control cable - apparently they also used the Bendix air system. There was some discussion over there about building a custom cable from parts. I have not yet found a verified current source for a new exact replacement.
I am hoping at least one Forum member has encountered, and
solved this problem, and will step up with the info!
Chuck, Check with Bill W in Tampa, he made a custom air throttle system to replace the stsem in his, was a lot of work and he can fill you in. He has a 270.
Gary B
Thanks, Gary. That is Bill Willett you're talking about, right?
Right, He is on the road I think but give him a call.
Gary B
Chuck are you sure this is not the one as it was the right one on the 95 U240 I rebuilt just a few months ago. I was going to send you that link last night but computer froze, so turned it off.
This is a very simple system to work on and strongly suggest if the cruise is not working (or is it just the cable problem) to take all valves apart and service. The one item to do is the cylinder. Take apart and grease cylinder lining and check potentiometer resistance. With cable dissconnected pour some thin oil down the outer cover and blow it thru, then just cover broken parts ofcable sheathing with a piece of rubber tubing or??
The one I did was not working and cable outer cover broken and when back together it works good. Just make sure any bends are slight and large radius'. It all comes apart easy.
That cable may be sourced thru a Marine store possibly??
JohnH
John,
If you meant to inclose a link in your post, I do not see it. Try again?
My air throttle and cruise control seem to be working fine at this time (I know I just jinxed myself by saying that). My main concern is the cable - the outer sheath material is (as you guessed) badly deteriorated (from heat?) and falling apart. I want to replace the whole cable assembly, if possible, as preventative maintenance (before it breaks and leaves me stranded). If I cannot locate a new replacement, then I will take your suggestion - lube the old one inside and attempt to recover/repair the outer sheathing.
It is the same one you found yesterday, and yes, just ake the cylinder apart and lube inside then with cable off lube that well and cover, it will be fine do not worry.
http://www.newellowner.com/Newell/BendixCruiseControl.pdf (http://www.newellowner.com/Newell/BendixCruiseControl.pdf)
JohnH
These folk make up custom cables. Maybe they can help?
Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies - Home Page (http://www.pegasusautoracing.com)
Keith
John, OK I understand the "link" reference now. The reason I said that the Bendix manual was not the same as my coach is because it only addresses the cruise control function. It doesn't have anything about the air throttle function, but I guess that part of it is pretty simple. The cruise control is the tricky bit.
I find it strange, with all the old coaches out there still running this system, that someone is not reproducing the control cable. There's nothing about it that is really exotic or complicated.
Keith, thanks for the link. I will check them out. I found another possible source on one of the BlueBird forums:
Cables - Midwest Control Products Corp. (http://www.midwestcontrol.com/part_family.php?id=3)
I just located another, much more detailed (and readable), Bendix manual pertaining to this cruise control system:
http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/downloads/BendixCruiseCtlManual_Parts.pdf (http://www.wanderlodgeownersgroup.com/downloads/BendixCruiseCtlManual_Parts.pdf)
Page three of this document referenced by Chuck details the high idle operation of the control. Someone had asked about this recently.
Gary B