Adaptive Cruise retrofit

[kamold]

I've only just got the radar aligned suitably as of yesterday so testing of the settings is to come.
I currently have the acceleration set to normal, which is a bit too lazy in traffic but probably suitable on the open road.
Will try sport.
Distance I had set to far and in traffic that gap is too big. Not game to try at very close yet until I'm comfortable with my calibration...

[kleung]

Nice work. Your cluster needles appear to be purple - is that just because of the camera, or did you actually change your blue needles to purple?

Also, I never realised before that VW hid its radar sensor behind the badge - how typical of VW's designers to pay attention to even that little detail, unlike a lot of other manufacturers who just put an ugly black plastic panel somewhere in the grille - or do what Honda do and mount it low down on the bumper where it is more susceptible to damage from road debris.

[kamold]

Nice work. Your cluster needles appear to be purple - is that just because of the camera, or did you actually change your blue needles to purple?

Also, I never realised before that VW hid its radar sensor behind the badge - how typical of VW's designers to pay attention to even that little detail, unlike a lot of other manufacturers who just put an ugly black plastic panel somewhere in the grille - or do what Honda do and mount it low down on the bumper where it is more susceptible to damage from road debris.

Its just poor colour reproduction on the phone the needles are indeed blue....

The Mk7 Golf radar is low down and visible, below the license plate. I think the B8 location is still behind the badge but I'm not 100% sure.

[ope126]

B8 behind badge.

[prn31]

On my R36, I didn't realise until after I bought it from (a non VW) dealer that it actually had Adaptive Cruise Control. It was a $2,000 option when my car was delivered in 2010!

Here is how the radar is located on the B6 R36 (when I had the front clip off to sort out the wiring for the parking sensors.)

[prn31]

I've attached a couple of photos of the MFD. First is selecting the Front Assist and the second is the ACC with the distance control showing. Interestingly the Front Assist and ACC are on different menus. It means that you have to select the Front Assist separately, which I always do when I have the ACC on.

This is quite different to the B7 Passat and my wife's Mk7 Golf, whose ACC I always find difficult to control on the steering wheel - probably because I'm not so used to the quite different controls.

[iampivot]

That front radar sphere looks like the eye of hal from 2001 a space odyssey. Would be cool if it could light up in the same fashion!

[kamold]

If you stand in front of it long enough you probably would start glowing
When working in the front of the car the workshop guide advises switching the radar off so you don't fry your future progeny...

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[kamold]

Performed a full McGyver ACC radar alignment this morning.
Made a laser alignment rig from a laser pointer, a microphone stand and a plastic plate.
Calibrated out to about 20m rather than the factory solution which is performed at 1.14m distance to target so I'm hoping the accuracy is enhanced.

[kamold]

First test at 60kmh in traffic and performance is improved.
Initial detection and lock on target is quicker and it is staying locked more effectively.
Happy with the result.
Will calibrate a friend's B7 who is still off after the dealer said they had calibrated it...

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[Tamps]

Yeah starting with a B7 is a far less painful exercise.

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Hey mate, I have B7 and I am seriously thinking of doing this.


I don't have the colour console or the acc stalk, do you have to have these? I think I have seen a factory install without it here, Adaptive Cruise retrofit

also, could you hook me up with contact for parts?

[kamold]

Hey mate, I have B7 and I am seriously thinking of doing this.


I don't have the colour console or the acc stalk, do you have to have these? I think I have seen a factory install without it here, Adaptive Cruise retrofit

also, could you hook me up with contact for parts?

Yes you need the ACC stalk. Will fault without it.
Don't need the colour cluster, that's optional.
The parts you have to kind of pull together...
Radar from eBay or a wrecker, harness from AliExpress, front badge from VW spares.

[Tamps]

Yes you need the ACC stalk. Will fault without it.
Don't need the colour cluster, that's optional.
The parts you have to kind of pull together...
Radar from eBay or a wrecker, harness from AliExpress, front badge from VW spares.

Thanks for your quick response.

I can only find the complete ACC stalk set no the individual stalk on AliExpress.
The harness was easily found AliExpress also.
I have not found the radar yet, In one post you mentioned a used radar wouldn't need calibrating but then you, calibrate it, what happened there? should I just get a new one?

I found this complete set on Ali but hesitated as it said it needs the colour console. They are out of stock now so its not an option now. the hunt continues.

Do you know if I can keep my existing ABS Pump without haking it? I think its unlikely with what I have read here.
Do you know if can you remove the control unit without disconnecting the hydraulic lines on the pump?

Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 3AA-614-109.clb Part No SW: 3AA 614 109 AC HW: 3AA 614 109 AC
Component: J104 C2 450M VD7B 0022
Revision: --H07--- Serial number: 00000004336187
Coding: 0008124

I have also seen you mention is several post updating firmware, how are you doing this and where do you find the files? (if this is a dumb question or I just broke the first rule of fight club sorry)

Thanks again

[kamold]

Firmware is updated with the factory software ODIS.
You have to take the whole abs unit (hydraulics and electronics) out to open it and modify the eeprom in order to load the software which enables ACC
The stalks and ACC radar can be pulled from a suitable wreck or find them on eBay.
The radar doesn't require software calibration, it does require mechanical alignment.

[millencolin]

Hey mate great write up....

i have a passat cc and has all the bells and whistles but no adaptive cruise...

is it as simple as your write up (simple now that you have done all the hard work)

so a radar and a stalk...possibly abd module.

i have VCDS and ODIS cabling as well as access to VW account should i need one.

all the best for Chrissy.