Small Car shift kit

BIRD · #1 09-21-2005, 03:48 PM

Hello,
I am a relatively new member to the site and newer owner (May 05) of a Pearl 92 SVX-L, currently 57K miles, it was babied. It runs great, but in order to insure that I have added the smallcar shift kit and soon a tranny cooler. I have researched a fair bit on this website concerning the shift kit, and apparently I am like some other SVX owners with the shift kit installed to get the 16 flashes of the power light when starting the car. I just bought it last week. My subaru mechanic did the install according to small car's directions. He cut the green wire/red stripe. Upon completing the self test (3 times now), my power light blinks every 1/4 second, which is normal according to other posts/results. So, should I ignore the 16 blinks every cold start-up? I say cold because if I shut the car off, then immediately turn it on, no flashes. The shift kit seems to be functioning (factory setting), my SVX does shift faster. It was fine before though. So, my question to other SVX owners, should I ignore the 16 flashes? Move the setting on the shift kit? Remove it, ask small car for a new one? Thanks, BIRD

nordique14 · #2 09-21-2005, 04:28 PM

The old Smallcar shift kits caused the blinking power light. My understanding is that a resistor was added to prevent this. Do you have a resistor between the two posts?

The old model had 3 posts and sometimes the wires were connected to the wrong post. I think the new version only has two posts. If not, check to make sure it is connected to the right posts.

--Matt

svxcess · #3 09-21-2005, 04:52 PM

I know it "shouldn't" make a difference but... this can't be a coincidence.

Everyone who I know who has successfully installed the kit, myself, Chike, Immortal Suby (check his locker), newsvx, and others has cut the green wire with the yellow stripe and left the green/red one intact.

Trevor, one of our more experienced and knowledgable members, first suggested this when the kit first came out. He also was the one to help smallcar configure the resistance circuit to stop the 16 blinks. Trevor recommended cutting the green/yellow, so I went with his advice and cut the green/yellow one (just to be safe).

I noticed that you had cut the green/red wire instead. Why not reconnect the green/red wire and splice the green/yellow one. Shouldn't take too long . I know it shouldn't make a difference, but... we're talkin' SVX here.

oab_au · #4 09-21-2005, 08:00 PM

Hi John hope you are well.

It doesn't matter which wire you cut. That does matter is which end of the wire is connected to the resistor that is in the Shift kit, when it opens.

g/r wire------dropping res-------kit res------switch contacts-----g/y----A sol.
This will run the g/r wire to ground through the kit resistor, and all will be well.

If it is connected;
g/r wire----dropping res-----switch contacts----kit res-----g/y wire---A sol.

When the kit switch opens, the dropping resistor line is open circuit, and the A sol is connected to ground through the kit resistor. This will bring on the light, as the TCU detects the open.

Harvey.

BIRD · #5 10-06-2005, 12:27 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. As far as the shift kit goes, I have cut the green wire/yellow stripe, installed it according to the directions and I still get the 16 POWER flashes at start up. Calling Small Car, I confirmed the kit was installed correctly and the 16 flashes are not of concern. Car seems to be shifting well, and shifting faster. Hope it stays that way, BIRD

msvx95 · #6 10-07-2005, 08:54 PM

I just installed mine tonight....It's the green w/yellow stripe.
I had the 16 flashes before hand, now I don't. Car seems to shift well...Although Small Car could have provided some extra slack with the hose....I had a hard time reusing the current hose and trying to fit that onto the wimpy t-fitting which I almost cracked. Note to self - buy new t-fitting and newer hose before it gets to used and unbendable

svxcuseme · #7 10-10-2005, 06:20 AM

Bird. I have a 92. had same issue with power light. If the power light annoys you, you can keep it from coming on by adding a resitor bridged between the gr/yellow & gr/red wires. You add the resistor before the shift kit and stock resistor. I was using the "new" shift kit (new shift kit is same as old with an added resistor and the center pole connector cut off.)

nordique14 actually posted some good stuff on getting the light to go off using an add on resitor. I added three resitors in series to total 514ohm - (2.25 watts). It fixed the problem. No more blinking power light. Shift kit works the same!!!