The VDO Cruise control unit used on the w123, w126, w124 and likely many other mercedes models was also used on a pile of other cars, including Porsche, BMW, even some Rolls Royce I’m told.
They worked good… in 1982. Not so much nowadays, many have died slow deaths, starting out surging and not always engaging, until one day they stopped working entirely.
Let’s change that. I’ve created videos showing the troubleshooting steps for each component. I’ve also made models for replacement gears that can be 3d printed, these can be found here:
Here is the playlist with each component testing and repair of the amp:
You can buy a kit of the capacitors needed to repair your amp from me directly:
| If your amp looks like this: | You’ll need these parts to repair your amp: | |
|---|---|---|
 | 22uF capacitors: https://amzn.to/3Y2w8pw (Radial) 10uF capacitors: https://amzn.to/44u49kM (Axial) 2.2uF capacitors: https://amzn.to/3Y0l9wH (Axial) 1x 22uF 100V Mouser part: 647-UVZ2A220MED1TD (Radial) 2x 10uF 100V Mouser part: 598-106TTA100M (Axial) 2x 2.2uF 100V Mouser part: 598-225TTA100M (Axial) | |
 | 22uF capacitors: https://amzn.to/3Y2w8pw (Radial) 10uF capacitors: https://amzn.to/3rDtOsP (Radial) 2.2uF capacitors: https://amzn.to/3Y0l9wH (Axial) 1x 22uF 100V Mouser part: 647-UVZ2A220MED1TD (Radial) 2x 10uF 100V Mouser part: 647-UVY2A100MDD1TD (Radial) 2x 2.2uF 100V Mouser part: 598-225TTA100M (Axial) | |
| Tools and stuff you may want if you don’t already have comparable stuff: | Rosin core solder: https://amzn.to/2YdjPtw Solder wick: https://amzn.to/2VQG86O Portasol soldering kit: https://amzn.to/35fpMaK Portasol individual soldering iron: https://amzn.to/3eZNgFv Butane for soldering iron: https://amzn.to/3DjEfUP Snazzy soldering station: https://amzn.to/3pONF7Z |
Here is the link to the current document:
https://trythistv.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/VDOCruiseJuly2023.pdf
Changelog:
July 2023 Added some photos contributed of an older style amp that uses slightly different capacitors.
August 2022 Added wire color codes for amp connector in case it pops apart on you.