Background:

Cruise control comes as a standard feature on civilian 1998 ford crown victorias, it was optional on crown vics with the police and taxi package. As can be seen in the diagrams below, there are a few major components to the cruise control system. They include the wiring, cruise control switches, cruise control servo, brake position sensor, brake pressure switch, clockspring and vehicle speed sensor. On 1998 models:

Note: This article is relevant to 1992 through 2004 crown vics. In the 2005 model year, the crown vic recieved electronic throttle control (aka "drive by wire"). And 2005+ crown vics no longer have any of the following components:

Installing cruise control on the 2005 and later crownvics involves fewer steps than on earlier vehicles: first install a new steering wheel with the cruise control switches on it. Then visit your local ford dealer and have them use their ids/vcm setup to update the vid block and calibration strategy in the pcm to their speed control enabled counterparts. See the Ford IDS scantool screenshot webpage for further details on installing cruise control in a 2005+ crownvic.

The cruise control servo and actuator cable are not installed on crownvics unless they came factory equipped with cruise. Below is a list of different service part numbers for the servo

Part Number
From
To
Suggested Retail
F8VZ-9C735-BA 1992
1994
$310.85
XW7Z-9C735-AA 1995
2002
$205.65
3W7Z-9C735-AA
2003
2004
$206.55

Note: 1995-1997 lincoln towncars have the same service part number as 1995-2002 crown vics do. But for the 1998 and later model years, towncars got their own unique servo that gets vehicle speed & brake pedal engagement signals via the scp databus.

All the electronic servos used in crown vics and marquis from mid-1992 to 2002 have the same electrical connector and pinout, the difference is in the calibration of the servo. Installing a servo with the wrong service part number may cause the transmission to downshift at odd times as the servo is not properly calibrated to the shift pattern of the transmission. 1992-1994 vics used the AOD-E transmission, 1995 and later vics use the 4R70W transmission.

There are a bunch of different service part numbers for the cruise control actuator cable that links the cruise servo to the throttle body but they all share the same basic # of 9A825. Each model year range in the list below has it's own unique service part number for the actuator cable:

Part Number (Gasoline Powered Vehicles)
From
To
Suggested Retail
F1VY-9A825-A
1992
1992
Obsolete
F3VY-9A825-A
1993
1993
Replaced by F4VY-9A825-A
F4VY-9A825-A
1994
1994
Obsolete
F5VY-9A825-A
1995
1995
Obsolete
F6VZ-9A825-AE
1996
1997
$52.35
F8VZ-9A825-AA
1998
1998
$32.45
XW7Z-9A825-AA
1999
2000
$28.68
1W1Z-9A825-AA
2001
2004
$25.43

As can bee seen above, there are multiple variants of the speed control actuator cable for a crown vic. Some year ranges will interchange. For instance, initially I was using the actuator cable out of a 1996 crown vic in my 1998 vic. But some year ranges will not work as evidenced by the email message that I received informing me that someone tried an actuator cable from a 1995 vic in their 1998 vic and it physically didn't fit. But this could probably be explained by the fact that in 96', the intake manifold was changed to plastic construction and the throttle body relocated. If you want to play it safe, order a new actuator cable from ford before beginning the project. For most model years, actuator cables are around $25, but for some years they are as high as $50.

If you notice any small cracks in the donor vehicle's actuator cable's jacket like I did, definetly replace it. Small cracks usually get larger given enough time. If the inner cable throttle actuator cable is exposed, it has the potential to bind against some other object in the engine bay and possible cause a vehicle collision. And if you live in a cold climate, it's possible for water to enter the cable assembly and freeze if the outer protective jacket is broken too.

Also note that the cruise control actuator cable moves in relation to the engine and body of the car. On high mileage vehicles, watch actuator cables for chaffing anywhere the cable contacts other part in the engine bay. This problem is very real, and the factory cable has thick piping insulation on it in places to help prevent the onset of this type of problem. The size and length of this insulation varies according to model year. 1996-1997 vehicles have slightly longer piping insulation on the actuator cable than later ones. And the 1998+ vehicles have a crash bracket near the throttle body that holds the accelerator and speed controls cable in place.

Next part on the list is the mounting bracket that attaches to the bottom of the cruise servo. Are two variations of this bracket:

Part Number
From
To
Suggested Retail
F2VY-9C736-A 1993
1995
$8.48
F6VY-9C736-A 1996
2004
$16.48

Also need three bolts to secure the bracket to the servo: hardware number N806515-S2 (1 bolt)

Next up on the list is the mounting bracket with three studs on it that goes on the underside of the fender liner and on the other side of the fender liner attaches to the servo mounting bracket.

Part Number
From
To
Suggested Retail
F1VY-9C809-A 1992
2002
$12.20

Note: Many revisions of ford service parts literature incorrectly list the above part as only fitting 1992-1999 crown vics. But it is the proper part for 2000-2004 crownvics as well. You may have to supply false information to your parts vendor to obtain this part. (i.e. inform the dealer that you own a 1998 crown vic, when you really have a 2004 crown vic)

Will also need three nuts to secure the under fender liner bracket to the one above it: hardware number N621905-S56 (1 nut) (??invalid number??)

And there are also three self tapping screws to hold the servo to the servo bracket. (New cruise control servo service part assemblies come without any threads machined in the mounting holes.)

The ford dealership suggested retail price on the cruise servo + actuator cable + fender mounting brackets is over $200, but one ought to be able to acquire a junkyard setup for $75 or less. But salvage yard prices on infrequently sold parts such as cruise control servos vary widely among yards so you may wish to shop around a little bit. Be careful if you choose the "pre-owned" route for your cruise servo and your parts come from a "full service" salvage yard. Most recent ford cruise control servos on vehicle look nearly identical at a quick glance and you could well end up with the servo out of the wrong vehicle. For example, putting a servo from a recent ford taurus in your crownvic will likely work as the taurus still uses a conventional vss (vehicle speed signal) and the connector pinout and actuator cable attachment system are the same, but the internal electronic calibration of the servo is somewhat different.

If you find that the cruise servo electrical connector on the fender liner is damaged, a repair pigtail and connector are avaliable for under $40. The part number for it is: F58Z-14489-HA

Steering wheels without cruise switches have to be replaced to install the switches. Ford suggested retail for the vinyl steering wheels complete with cruise switches installed is around $150. Might get lucky with a junkyard wheel but salvage yard steering wheels are often:

Some people have upgraded their steering wheels to leather wrapped ones while installing cruise, as the leather wrapped ones are not too much more expensive from ford than the vinyl ones for the 1998+ cars. Some have installed steering wheels out of entirely different vehicles such as the mustang and taurus into their vics. Big thing to watch for here is whether the airbag currently installed in your vic will physically fit in the new wheel. A new driver's side airbag for a vic is over $500 from ford, some vehicles are considerably more expensive. Another point to keep in mind is whether the spline count and diameter on the steering shaft of your vic is the same as the circular mounting hole on the donor steering wheel. And yet another issue is whether the clockspring connectors are the same, but as long as you opt for a steering wheel with the same features as your old wheel and keep your original airbag this probably will not be a concern. But if you do opt for features such as redundant radio and climate control system steering wheel controls, chances are you'll need to install a new clockspring too. Note that some towncars have lighted cruise control switches, but crown vics do not. A word about salvage yard clocksprings: do not reuse a clockspring out of a vehicle with a deployed airbag as the wires inside the clockspring are physically very thin and airbags consume massive amounts of power when they deploy which usually damages the clockspring.

Some have asked about steering wheel and airbag compatibility between the years. There are four different steering wheel designs used in the 92+ crown vics:
For obvious reasons, a 98'-04' style steering wheel will not work in a 96'-97' or 92'-95' crown vic unless you also change the airbag and clockspring. Also note that just because an airbag has the same physical shape & appearance as another does not mean that it is same airbag. For instance, 98'-00' vics have single stage airbags, but 01'-04' vics have dual stage airbags with two seperate charges inside.

Additionally, keep in mind that most ford trucks have a steering column with a different steering shaft diameter and spline design than their passenger car counterparts. This means that although an explorer or f150 steering wheel may look very similar to the one in your crown vic, it will not physically fit in your vehicle.

Below is a listing of steering wheels avaliable for selected 1998 and later crown victorias:

F8AZ-3600- BAK
1998
2002
With speed control, Deep Slate Blue, Vinyl for trim code (-R)
$162.48

F8AZ-3600-BAZ
1998
2002
With speed control, Light Graphite, Vinyl for trim codes (-2) (-X)
$162.48

F8AZ-3600-BBK
2000
2003
With speed control, Deep Charcoal, Vinyl for trim codes (-W)
$149.68

F8AZ-3600-BAA
1998
1998
With speed control, Prairie Tan, Vinyl for trim code (-Y) $162.48

XW7Z-3600-ABE
1999
2003
With speed control, Medium Parchment, Vinyl for trim codes (-G) (-H) (-J)
$109.12

F8AZ-3600-BBG
2003
2003
With speed control, Light Flint, Vinyl
$162.48







F8AZ-3600-BBB
1998
2002
With speed control, Deep Slate Blue, Leather wrap for trim code (-R)
$196.00

F8AZ-3600-BBC
1998
2002
With speed control, Light Graphite, Leather wrap for trim code (-2) (-X)
$178.50

F8AZ-3600-BBE
2000
2003
With speed control, Deep Charcoal, Leather wrap for trim code (-W)
$178.50

F8AZ-3600-BBA
1998
1998
With speed control, Prairie Tan, Leather wrap for trim code (-Y)
$178.50

XW7Z-3600-BBE
1999
2003
With speed control, Medium Parchment, Leather wrap for trim codes (-G) (-H) (-J)
$141.37

F8AZ-3600-BBH
2003
2003
With speed control, Light Flint, Leather wrap
$191.22

F8AZ-3600-BBL
2003
2003
With speed control, Midnight Black, Leather wrap for trim code (-W)
$149.68







F8AZ-3600-AAK
1998
2002
Without speed control, Deep Slate Blue, Vinyl for trim code (-R)
$162.48

F8AZ-3600-AAZ
1998
2002
Without speed control, Light Graphite, Vinyl for trim code (-2) (-X)
$162.48

F8AZ-3600-ABA
2000
2003
Without speed control, Deep Charcoal, Vinyl for trim code (-W)
$162.48

F8AZ-3600-AAA
1998
1998
Without speed control, Prairie Tan, Vinyl for trim code (-Y)
$151.15

XW7Z-3600-ABA
1999
2003
Without speed control, Medium Parchment, Vinyl for trim codes (-G) (-H) (-J)
$111.87







1W3Z-3600-BAB 
2001
2002
With speed control & radio/heater controls, Medium Dark Graphite, Leather wrap

1W3Z-3600-BAE
2003
2003
With speed control & radio/heater controls, Flint, Leather wrap
$259.38

1W3Z-3600-BAF
2001
2003
With speed control & radio/heater controls,Parchment, Leather wrap for trim codes (-G) (-H) (-J)
$259.38

1W3Z-3600-BAH
2001
2003
With speed control & radio/heater controls, Deep Charcoal, Leather wrap (-W)
$259.38


Notes:

Installation:

Cruise servo install:


Cruise control actuator cable install:


Steering wheel installation

Cruise should now engage when car reaches 30MPH, cruise ON switch is pressed, and speed is set using set accel switch.

The car may need a front end alignment after new steering wheel install to get steering wheel centered when the front tires are pointed  straight ahead. Cost varies for this procedure, some independent shops charge as little as $40 for a front end alignment, while others have been known to charge in excess of $80. While in the alignment shop, you may wish to have the tires balanced if you feel vibration at highway speeds. Also, don't be suprised if you get a call from the shop telling you that you've got worn front end components that should be replaced. Front suspension and steering components seem to have a rather short lifespan during police use.

Ford does not offer a "9A818 speed control retrofit kit" for 98' crown victorias, you have to order each part individually.


Note: For vehicles without speed control, a cap containing a shorting bar is placed over the 10-pin servo connector. The shorting bar connects pins 6 and 10, providing a ground path for the steering wheel mounted horn switches. If this shorting bar is not present, the horn will not function. The part number for this item is F3TZ-14A666-A

Picture of the original non-cruise steering wheel installed in my 98' PI, the tool to the left is the two jaw puller used to remove the steering wheel from the column.


Below is a power adjustable pedal box and it's fixed counterpart. The blueish switch on the right is the speed deac switch used in 98+ vehicles. The switch held on using the yellowish retainer is the brake on/off (boo) switch. If your brake lights don't work and you "cant shift out of park", highly suspect boo switch or it's wiring has failed. The deac switch is only used by the cruise control system and failure typically will not cause any symptoms other than a cruise control system that doesn't work.

(To view more pictures of the below components, click here)


And here's a closeup of the speed control deac switches from a 98' crown victoria and a 01' grand marquis


Note the electrical connector on the sensor mounted to the metal housing of the master cylinder, that's the brake pressure (DEAC) switch used in 1996-1997 crown victorias. Some 1992-1997 crownvics will instead have the deac switch located on the proportioning valve below the master cylinder.

 


Troubleshooting:

If cruise control still doesn't opearte properly, below are some troubleshooting hints:


For cruise control to engage,

Additionally, Ford has released a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) about Cruise Control Diagnostics with some additional service tips.  TSB 06-08-05 is avaliable by clicking here. But do note that crown victoria police interceptors do not have a cruise control engaged light on the instrument panel, so you will need to manually probe the appropriate circuit on the cruise control servo electrical harness to monitor the voltage pulses that would represent lightbulb flashes in the tsb.

Note: Some fleet "mechanics" with unlimited access to multiple crown vics just swap cruise control components between vehicles until the cruise control system starts to work again. While not recommended, the "brute force" method is often effective because of the limited number of parts in the speed control system. But then again, the same "mechanics" would probably never get the cruise control system to function again if the true cause of the problem was with the dashboard electrical harness.

Miscellaneous:


Questions or comments?

Email Me:  [email protected]