[W126 Coupe] Changed my cruise control amplifier the other day

[I House]

For what it's worth, I thought I would chime in on my experience getting
my cruise control to work.  It was acting correctly although
intermittently when I bought the car two years ago, working best during
the cooler months.  However, it recently started working only rarely and
with the bit of discussion on the list, I decided to tackle the problem.

After removing the panel, it was fairly easy to see what was being
discussed in most of the posts in the archives.  The one nut holding the
bracket to the frame supporting the brake pedal is not hard to get to,
but putting it back together was only slightly less difficult than
extracting a horizontally impacted lower third molar (and I've done
that, too)!  I've admired the design of the car many times but this has
got to be one of the biggest bonehead designs ever.  I hope they fired
the engineer that planned that little jewel of a system.  I did manage
to get the bolt to stay put long enough to hang the bracket on it by
putting some double-sided tape over the head of the bolt in the recess
of the brake pedal mount, thus preventing it from sliding out while
trying to place the cruise control bracket back on it.  If you ever have
to do it, try that approach.

I disassembled the amplifier from the bracket, unplugged it (it's just a
friction fit, no retaining tabs), opened the case and removed the
circuit board.  I tried the soldering thing (even bought a new iron) and
it looked fine before I started.  I must've damaged a component or
bridged some circuits because when I put it back in the case and tried
it out, letting it hang down behind the carpet, it just floored the
accelerator when I engaged it!  That was pretty exciting.  It kept
trying to reengage even after I hit the brakes to inactivate it and even
after I pushed the stalk toward the dash to turn it off.  I made it back
home after a short half mile trial and pulled it back out.

Next morning I called Beckman in NC and told them what I wanted.  They
asked if it was for personal use or commercial use.  I told them
personal and they quoted a price of $280!  That caught me by surprise
and I told them I heard they were around $150 on a list I belonged to.
The lady said that was if I was a repair facility.  I couldn't very well
say I was (since I'm not) so I called my brother in law who is a
mechanic and he ordered the part.  It was $175 (with a $75 core charge)
so it's gone up a bit. The amp arrived in about four days and works
perfectly.  I don't know how much a local mechanic would charge to
change it (since I can't find a good one locally) but I think paying for
the physical therapy to correct the back pain would justify $1000!
Seriously, it wouldn't be so hard if I had done it before.  I think I
could help someone do it now (or do it for them).  I wonder if at the
next meet we might offer to show and do a change for those who need it
done.  If I'm able to come I know I would volunteer to assist.  Those
that need it done would need to get the amp in advance.

Apologies to Jonathan and Rusty as I know they sell this part as well.
I did not check their prices at all as I just took the recommendation of
the list.  Would either of them wish to supply members of the list with
amps at Beckman's price for the meet for those of us who have changed
them to help others?

Thanks to all who have written about the subject in the past.  The
earlier posts were a real inspiration and help.

Regards,
Ike House
87 560SEC (anthracite gray, by the way)

-- 
Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.5 - Release Date: 12/26/2004