Aftermarket cruise control kits safe?

[Jugernot]

Just bought a Audiovox CCS100 cruise control kit and was planning on putting it on my 02 Chevy Prizm when a buddy told me they aren't safe and I should really just reconsider.

Basically, here's how it works. You tie into your VSS (speed control), rpm wires (detects over revs and shuts it down), brake light wires (shuts it down if brake is pressed), and ignition 12v with ground. You install a servo under the hood and pretty much piggy back in on the throttle cable to control the throttle. When you turn on the cruise, the servo pulls the throttle cable and it does it's thing.

He said there is chance the servo would get caught open and full throttle the car making it practically impossible to stop. Anyone know if there is truth to that? I guess I know it "could" happen, but is it a problem? Seems to me the servo wouldn't full throttle it if it failed, rather it would do the opposite if it failed.

Really, anytime you add anything into the throttle equation of your vehicle, you are increasing your chances of failure, but I'm just wondering if it's anything worse than just by chance (IE: brake system losing pressure and having no brakes)....

Anyone know if these things are unsafe as my friend suggests?

 

[TimeKeeper]

Have a pro shop install it.
If anything goes wrong, you will get your big settlement. But again, you have to be alive to claim it. ;p

 

[woodie1]

I installed one on a car way back when and had no problems. You gotta figure the mfgr isn't gonna set himself up for to be liable fer your demise. If it fails it should be in a failsafe mode. Just follow the instructions to the letter and you'll be ok.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
He said there is chance the servo would get caught open and full throttle the car making it practically impossible to stop. Anyone know if there is truth to that? I guess I know it "could" happen, but is it a problem? Seems to me the servo wouldn't full throttle it if it failed, rather it would do the opposite if it failed.

*shrug* OEM cruise control has the same potential problem. That said, (a)I have never ever heard of this happening, (b)If it did happen, hitting the clutch, popping it out of gear, or shutting off the engine would stop it instantly, and (c)The brakes are able to overpower the engine on ANY street-legal car. Seriously, it's no contest. Unless you simultaneously have spontaneous brake failure, if you hit the brakes, the car will stop.

 

[DarkManX]

drop it in neutral, come to a stop, shut up ignition.

 

[daveymark]

that audiovox is a highly rated one, people have been putting them on miatas for years. many good reviews