Re: IML: Auto Pilot Function

[PAUL WENTINK <randalpark@xxxxxxx>]

The Auto Pilot unit in most cars was seldom used, and is usually not 
worn out. That said, none of mine worked when I purchased the cars. The 
problems have been electrical. Replacement of the brake switch 
(deactivates the unit when you depress the brake) in the '60 and the 
'62 cured the problem and they work great. The '63 has a short circuit 
either in the unit, control/switch, or wiring which causes the 
accelerator to stick to the floor when the ignition is turned on. I 
haven't attempted to fix it, and by-passed the problem by unplugging 
the unit at the connection under the hood.

I bought my cars when they were only 10 or 20 years old. Cars that have 
sat for longer periods could have different problems. These can range 
from bad speedometer cables, to a seized control cable, and corroded 
linkage or internal parts. The mechanical end of it should work if you 
are able to turn the knob, and feel resistance in the accelerator pedal 
while driving at the speed corresponding to the number setting on the 
control. This is the "Speed Reminder" feature of the accessory.

I am not sure about 1959 and older, but my cars have a button in the 
center of the control knob that needs to be pulled out to activate the 
"Automatic Driving" feature. If the knob stays out (it does this 
"magnetically") with the ignition on, then you should feel it take over 
the accelerator pedal once you reach the speed corresponding to the 
number on the control. If this happens, then it is working correctly. 
Tapping the brake or pushing the button in should release the 
accelerator. IF THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN, DO USE IT. This would likely be 
due to an electrical problem with the wiring, control/switch, or unit. 
On my cars, if the button stays out, the unit will take over. I haven't 
experienced the button staying out and the unit not taking over, except 
if there is a problem with the control cable. Also, on later models, 
there is a nylon gear in the control that strips out rendering it 
useless. This would not be the case in cars before the 1964 model.

Some other symptoms of trouble are throbbing accelerator pedal, usually 
cable related, and the inability to hold the set speed, which can mean 
the unit is worn out. As mentioned, in most cases, these were so seldom 
used that the unit is usually good, unless it is seized due to lack of 
use/corrosion, or has been tampered with.

I hope this is helpful. There is a Service Diagnosis in a few of the 
FSMs for this accessory. These are posted on the OIC web site, and I 
believe that it is the 1962 book that is particularly helpful. Reading 
that may be enlightening. I also think that trying the unit out is the 
best way to determine how well it functions. They have been known to 
stick, so be prepared to push the button in, if the brake pedal release 
feature doesn't do its job. This can be tested with the car standing 
still, and the ignition on by pulling out the button, then seeing if it 
releases upon tapping the brake.

Good luck!

Paul W.

-----Original Message-----
From: david carpenter <zirc@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 5:14 am
Subject: Re: IML: Auto Pilot Color


Paul, I have yet to drive my 59. Is there anything about the Auto Pilot 
or cruise control that needs to be rebuilt. My car has not be driven in 
ten years. Regards, David 
----- Original Message ----- From: "PAUL WENTINK" <randalpark@xxxxxxx> 
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 8:46 PM 
Subject: Re: IML: Auto Pilot Color 
 
Yours may have come w/black paint, but the majority of them are 
aluminum and not painted. My '60, '62, &'63 are factory equipped with 
Auto Pilot, and they are all silver color with the red foil label. I 
also have purchased multiple units over the years that came off of 
Imperials in bone yards. Every one of them is silver-gray w/the red 
foil label. There was a linkage design change in '61 or '62, but the 
cover remained the same. Units that I've seen in Cadillac's and 
Lincoln's appear the same. I have never seen a painted one, but that 
doesn't mean there weren't any. 
 
Paul W. 
 
-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom Scott <shelbyguy@xxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 7:46 am 
Subject: Re: IML: 59 413 engine color 
 
Robert, 
My AutoPilot unit is also black and I believe it is the original unit. 
I don't think I've ever seen one in a 60 not painted black. 
Tom 
60 Crown 
----- Original Message ----- From: "Rob van der Es" 
<r.vdes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 9:07 AM 
Subject: Re: IML: 59 413 engine color 
 
> Thanks Paul! 
> Someone in the past has painted my Autopilot unit black then... 
> Rob ----- Original Message ----- > From: "PAUL WENTINK" 
<randalpark@xxxxxxx> 
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 
2:53 > PM Subject: Re: IML: 59 413 engine color 
>  
> 1959, 1960, and 1961 engine colors should be as you describe, except 
the > Auto Pilot is silver w/a red foil "Perfect Circle" label. I think 
the > valve cover decals for '59 are different than the other two 
years, though. 
>  
> Paul W. 
>  
> -----Original Message----- > From: Rob van der Es 
<r.vdes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: > mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Tue, 
22 Jan 2008 1:22 am Subject: Re: > IML: 59 413 engine color 
>  
>  
> Hi David, 
>  
>  
> Presuming that the 59 is similair to a 60 engine (both are the RB 
version) > the main engine block is black. 
>  
> The intake manifold is also black, the airfilter housing is gold, the 
> cruisecontrol housing (from Perfect Circle) is also black. 
> My waterpump was re-newed so it is shiny metal (alu-look), but I 
guess it > was originally black too. 
>  
> The black on my engine is semi gloss. 
>  
>  
> I hope this helps you a little further in your rebuilding project. 
> Speaking about rebuilding, was it difficult to find all the necessary 
> parts? 
> Since this is a RB block one could expect some difficulties I think.. 
>  
>  
> And, btw, do you have a good trick to remove that bolt that keeps the 
> harmonic balancer on the crankshaft? 
> I am in progress of replacing the timing chain of my engine, but are 
a > little afraid to start cause everyone told me that 
>  
> this bolt is very hard to remove.. 
> Especially with the engine in the car, ofcourse I don't want to 
remove the > engine for a relative "simple" job like replacing the 
timing chain!! 
>  
>  
>  
> Robert 
>  
> ----- Original Message ----- > 
> From: david carpenter 
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 7:26 AM 
> Subject: IML: 59 413 engine color 
>  
>  
>  
> I am rebuilding my 413 and wondering about color. I understand the 
main > engine block is black. Is the intake manifold black? I know the 
air filter > is gold What about the cruise control housing? Is the 
water pump black? > Was the black a gloss or semi gloss. Any help would 
be greatly > appreciated. This is a great website for imperial owners 
and I really > enjoy the quick feedback. Thank you, David Carpenter 
>  
>  
>  
>  
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