This article details how to install cruise onto the CRD. My 2005 (US Spec CRD) came with the power sunroof, power windows, locks, and mirrors but no cruise control. It does not have the factory radio controls on the steering wheel.
Credit should be given to CATCRD and SirSam for forging the way on this install. I know that they successfully installed cruise on CATCRD's CRD liberty long before I installed mine.
Installing cruise is relatively straight forward. On a one to five difficulty scale, this is a one wrench job (very easy). On all 05-06 CRDs, your Liberty came equipped as a drive by wire throttle. This means that you don't need a servo to actuate the cruise like the gas powered Liberty's.
Total cost of the job was less than $100. Figure $20-40 for the parts and one hour of labor cost ($65) for the dealer to hook you into StarScan.
Tools Required:
8MM socket and wrench
Phillips screwdriver
StarSCAN (dealer or service shop)
Parts required:
Set of cruise controls from either a junkyard or new.
Wiring harness from the clockspring to the cruise control switches. In the picture below you can see the original non cruise CRD harness above and the new harness below from a Liberty that was equipped with cruise from the factory.
Step 1: Disconnect the battery. Since you will be removing the airbag and some associated wiring, it's always best to disconnect the battery first.
Step 2: Use the 8mm socket and wrench to remove two bolts located behind the steering wheel. These bolts are recessed in the holes behind the spokes of the wheel. See the picture below.
Step 3: After you've removed the bolts, you can then gently pull out the horn/airbag assembly from the center of the wheel.
Gently pull it away and disconnect the wiring for the horn then set the airbag assembly on top of the wheel.
Step 4: Remove the wiring harness on the top left of the clockspring. This harness runs to the horn, which you just disconnected.
Notice that the harness and port have provisions to accomodate additional wiring. This is important since your new harness will have more wiring to control the horn and the cruise.
Step 5: Feed this wiring out of the looms and remove it from the vehicle.
Step 6: Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove the plastic covers on the spokes of the wheel and replace them with your new cruise control switches.
Step 7: Take your new wiring harness and feed it through the looms on each side of the wheel.
Step 8: Once the wiring is secured, install the harness into each cruise control switch.
Step 9: Install the last harness end into the clockspring. This is where you removed the harness from earlier.
Step 10: Take the airbag assembly off the wheel and reconnect the horn.
Step 11: Place the airbag assembly back into position and reinstall the two bolts through the back of the steering wheel.
Step 12: Reconnect battery.
Step 13: Now you need to go to the dealer or a service shop that has StarScan. StarScan is required in order to tell the PCM that your CRD now has cruise. The tech, through StarScan, will "tell" the PCM to recognize that cruise was equipped on the vehicle.
Final Notes: My CRD required an additional ground wire to enable cruise. It appears that my wiring harness to the PCM had 2 of 3 wires required for the cruise to work. It was missing the ground wire. When I was hooked up to StarScan the tech hooked up a little jumper ground wire and now all works as planned. I will take a picture of that and edit this post once my wife returns with the Jeep. The tech also told me that should my battery be disconnected or go dead for a long period of time it is possible that the PCM may not "remember" that cruise was installed. Thus, you may have to get it reinstalled via StarScan if your CRD battery goes dead for a while. I'm not going to test the theory but if I hear of a confirmed case, I'll amend this thread. After the jumper wire was installed, the cruise works as it should and we've had no problems with it.