2005 E350 Super Duty 6.8L
2WD
Automatic Transmission

The cruise controls symbol is truly not on this instrument cluster. Of course, my van did not originally come with cruise. So, I was wondering if there are different versions of this cluster? If not, maybe the 2007 cluster for Econoline swap out because it does have the cruise indicator.

 

Look at the list above I don't see "speed control".
Look at the connector views below, no "speed control" as well.



Look at the diagram below you can see illumination on the speed control switch:

Now let's take a look at 07 E-350 6.8L below, the red arrow that's the speed control indicator:


So you might be able to retrofit a 07 cluster to your 05 but it doesn't worth the time and effort to try it when you just want an LED indicator for your speed control, not to mention your van didn't come with speed control. Even if you manage to get the speed control indicator to work, you will have to fix all the other gauges that become malfunctioning as a result of the retrofit. Never forget the 2 connectors behind the cluster are different on 07 than your 05. If I were you just find a blank switch button, run the LED and illuminate it via a relay.

 

heiko, I want to express my thanks for helping me in my approach to making an indicator of some type for my cruise control. It's always great to have someone to mull over ideas with.

As you point out there is no explicit wire, or pin, that shows cruise is engaged going to the instrument cluster. I believe the PCM generates an "ON" for the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) when it sees all of the correct inputs.

Inputs:Output shaft speed (OSS) sensor
Digintal transmission range (TR) sensor
Speed control switch(es)
CPP switch
Speed control deactivator switch
Stoplamp switch
Accelerator pedal position sensor

Outputs:

Speed control indicator lamp
Throttle command

The "ON" I was speaking of earlier is likely a code generated from the PCM to the CAN and then to the instrument cluster's CPU. Whether it actually generates that code, or not, is probably irrelevant in this case since the instrument cluster on my 2005 E350 does not have a lamp explicitly for cruise.

As you mentioned I could install an indicator of my own. Maybe a little green LED. But I would need a high or low signal of some sort to drive the LED. The diagram 24-11 Electronic Engine Controls (2005 E-Series) shows the PCM engages the ETC by connecting ground. I suppose it would be possible to tap pin 51 (C175b) of the PCM and drive my LED.

Or, I would like to revisit my idea of swapping my cluster with a 2007. You mentioned the connector may not be compatible. I happen to have a 2007, and a backup 2005, cluster I picked up cheap from a U-Pick in Kansas City, Missouri. After your suggestion I inspected the ports and they "appear" to be the same. I won't know for certain until I try to actually connect them. If it connects, I would then be concerned whether pins and circuits match up.

I've included a pin out, and circuit, comparison of the 2005 vs. 2007 instrument cluster. I've highlighted the differences in the circuits.

For the 2005:
Circuit 343 goes to the Vehicle Security Module which is not present on my van, and matches an unused pin on the 2007.
Circuit 784 seems to be for "Stripped Chassis". I can check if there is even a wire there.

For the 2007:
Circuit 959 & 960 go to AdvanceTrac. Which I do not have, and also correspond to unused pins on the 2005.
Circuit 2181 and 2180 are Medium speed CAN. Wiring diagrams show Medium speed CAN connects to Vehicle Security Module, AdvanceTrac, and the OBD port. I have neither the VSM or the AdvanceTrac. I could run two wires to the OBD in case it's needed for diagnostics.

Oh, I have a back up PCM from the same U-Pick. I even did the breathe-in breathe-out process of programming the used PCM. I was amazed that it actually worked. The engine started right up. In summation what do you think? See any pit falls? Even though I have a back up cluster and PCM. I would really hate to brick either one.

 

I am surprised both match up pretty well. From what I see you just need to remove the C220B connector on your 2005 and depin your 784 (door ajar) and move it to pin 21 (not being used on both) then add a pin to pin 23 to complete the CAN+ and another one to pin 22 to complete the CAN-. Don't forget to test all bulbs on your 2007 cluster first.
For using the blank switch button way, since your speed control is working fine already, I wouldn't want to mess with it, instead I'd just use the wires from the switch on your steering wheel to trigger a relay to energize the new led indicator, run a dedicated fused power feed to terminal 30 of the relay If the LED takes 5V only then add a resistor to drop from 12v to 5v, use a dc power supply to test the LED and to get its true specs. If you need more than one led, just add another relay.

 

Just a reminder,,
YOU MUST USE A RELAY with a built in diode or resister to clip voltage spikes into the system or you could have problems that you definitely do not want !

 

My idea of tapping pin 51 (C175b) of the PCM to show when the ETC is engaged is short sighted. The electronic throttle control is engaged for more than just cruise control. One example would be choking when the engine is cold. Ideally I would need to show the ETC is engaged "and" the cruise control ON button has been pressed. Unfortunately all the cruise control buttons are ground based and distinguished by resistance value, or voltage drop. Suddenly I see the need for a little custom circuit with a NAND function. The lone LED cruise indicator has become less appealing. I'm inclined to stick in the '07 cluster. It either works, or it doesn't.

 

Tried out the 2007 cluster and it works. I now have a green cruise control light that comes on and off with cruise.

 

Thanks for the update.