Auto box swap questions

#1 08-07-2003, 11:57 PM

Hi guys,

Hope that you can help here....

Just got myself a box from a 92 UK car - actually, it's still in the car at the moment. I intend to get it swapped into mine as it has been overhauled in the last 2k miles. Mine is a 92 jap import.

Question - this Uk car has a different positioning for the auto controls. Do I need to change the wiring harness because of the following differences.....

Where I have the park lock button at the top of the quadrant, this car has the power antenna switch (not aproblem obviously)
On the shift lever, the UK has an ECON button, whereas mine is MAN
At the bottom of the shift quadrant, the UK car has a MAN button, where mine has a POWER button.

Thanks for your help - please!

Tony

svx_commuter · #2 08-08-2003, 01:07 PM

You need a good Irishman to jump in here.

mohrds · #3 08-08-2003, 01:32 PM

If you are just swapping the tranny you *should* be fine. The differences between cars are usually in the wiring harness so that major parts like clusters, switches, etc. can be a single part number for many markets.

I would compare the wires from the old tranny to the new one. Take a minute and write down the colors and pins and compare. Hopefully they will be identical.

I'd bet a beer that the transmissions are identical, and it is in the TCU and harness that accommodates the different positions of those switches on the shifter assembly.

Are both the transmissions variable torque split? The US is I believe 90/10 and 50/50 and some other markets were constant 50/50?? That could be the only sticking point.

Doug

svxistentialist · #4 08-08-2003, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by svx_commuter
You need a good Irishman to jump in here.

OK.

This problem is more psychological than cybernetic, more transendental than transmission, more a probe in the looms than a problem looming. Difficult.

Why have the Japanese got a Power button, while the British are left to manage with an Econ button? Is this a Freudian slip, or should we worry about what a German psychologist might make of the conundrum?

We know who won the War, back then, but it would take a wiry mind to figure out what is looming here.

Much better, Grasshopper, not to be outmoded. Retain that which is essential, consign all else to the river.

Svxistentialist
[I drive, therefore, I am]

lee · #5 08-08-2003, 07:32 PM

^^^^^^^^^

You had to suggest this didn't you, now see what we got?

Quote:

Originally posted by svx_commuter
You need a good Irishman to jump in here.

svxistentialist · #6 08-08-2003, 08:06 PM

Sorry Tony,

I will tax my brain on this one for you tomorrow, when it clears itself of alcohol. The Government already taxes my body and my soul.

Some info required. Have you got a UK owners manual? What exactly does the UK manual say that the Econ mode does?

Joe

#7 08-09-2003, 12:27 AM

Thanks all for your input guys.

From the owners manual (UK edition)

Econ:

Transmission changes gears for maximum fuel economy - there is no automatic switching between POWER and NORMAL mode.

Maybe the easiest way out of this is to transplant the complete box and harness as I guess that they are interchangeable regarding switching - the only time I use the POWER is the lazy way - right foot buried in the carpet

If I did this, then I guess that the ECU would need changing??

And I thought that this was such a good, simple idea.....

Going back to my medication, er sorry, meditation now

oab_au · #8 08-09-2003, 04:11 AM

Hi Tony, The box should be a straight swap, the loom should have all the wiring there to suit both, Might be worth getting the TCU also to rid the speed limit thing.

Harvey.

Ps Still pondering Joe's wise words.

svxistentialist · #9 08-09-2003, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TonyShaleUK
Thanks all for your input guys.

From the owners manual (UK edition)

Econ:

Transmission changes gears for maximum fuel economy - there is no automatic switching between POWER and NORMAL mode.

Maybe the easiest way out of this is to transplant the complete box and harness as I guess that they are interchangeable regarding switching - the only time I use the POWER is the lazy way - right foot buried in the carpet

If I did this, then I guess that the ECU would need changing??

And I thought that this was such a good, simple idea.....

Going back to my medication, er sorry, meditation now

Tony

This sounds pretty simple to fix. The box is a straight swop, as everyone says.

From your description of econ mode, it is the alter ego of the power mode, the Jeckyl to power's Hyde.

What the power switch does is lock out normal, keeping the box in power mode all the time.

What the econ switch does is lock out power mode, keeping the box in normal mode all the time. Twins, or what??

Manual does the same as econ, except it also won't allow first to be selected, preferring to start in second, and jump up quick to the higher gears. So not rocket science.

Take note of what wires are coming from the switches in the configuration you have, and the English box. You are in the lucky position that you can opt to have the new box work on Power, like what you have, or wire the Econ set of wires to your Power button, if you want to go for economy.

See Terry Maclane's FAQ for info on what the wires do to force Power mode.

Joe