DIY power mode switch?

Awox · #1 10-28-2010, 04:36 AM

I'm having a lot of trouble finding info I could use as a "how to" on a DIY power mode switch. I saw a few little things here and there about trying to trick your TCU into thinking there's a hot fluid condition but it resulted in some weird shifting behavior. Also I've seen a few posts pertaining to ECU swapping with JDM cars so that you have the official power mode switch but I'm on a tight budget.

If there's an easy way to cut, splice and solder my way to a snazzy DIY power mode switch would somebody kindly point me in the correct direction?

Currently piloting a 95 Ls, what with the gray pleather seats and leather dash trim without the woodgrain. If that helps.

svxcess · #2 10-28-2010, 06:41 AM

.

The thread for changing into POWER mode by use of a switch can be found HERE

It is a long thread, so take your time and familiarize yourself with the procedure and make note of potential difficulties found along the way.

Most who have done it really like it.

Quick explanation:

You have to ground pin A4 on the TCU under the dash. A wire is inserted into this vacant socket and connected to ground. To use a switch to control it, run the ground wire from Pin A4 to your switch, then from the other side of the switch, connect to ground. The switch interrupts the ground circuit. You need to use one of the push-on/push-off type switches

.

Wikedjuggalo · #3 10-28-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awox

I'm having a lot of trouble finding info I could use as a "how to" on a DIY power mode switch. I saw a few little things here and there about trying to trick your TCU into thinking there's a hot fluid condition but it resulted in some weird shifting behavior. Also I've seen a few posts pertaining to ECU swapping with JDM cars so that you have the official power mode switch but I'm on a tight budget.

If there's an easy way to cut, splice and solder my way to a snazzy DIY power mode switch would somebody kindly point me in the correct direction?

Currently piloting a 95 Ls, what with the gray pleather seats and leather dash trim without the woodgrain. If that helps.

if it is FWD don't do it.

Awox · #4 10-28-2010, 10:56 PM

Definitely AWD

Thank you for the help!

Awox · #5 10-28-2010, 11:17 PM

Strange, I found this thread twice yestarday and missed the parts I was looking for. Thank you again!

sd2649 · #6 10-29-2010, 03:17 PM

Why not do it to a fwd??

Also, I seem to have read somewhere about a circuit that you could wire a switch to and be able to manually engage the lockup torque converter?? Anyone kniew where that info is?

NeedForSpeed · #7 10-30-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikedjuggalo

if it is FWD don't do it.

Why not?
Shifting at a slightly higher rpm, and having more willing downshifts shouldn't be a problem for a stock FWD.

One here has installed a Power mode switch, and a TCU/ECU combo that shifts at 7000 rpm, in his FWD.

Awox · #8 10-30-2010, 05:38 PM

Not sure about that switch to lock up the torque converter. I think there's a lot of potential problems with that and sounds rather scary to me.

There are times though when I really really wish I could just lock it myself when driving on slow roads that won't allow the car to lock it itself but I'm afraid I may experiment with it and cause some damage.

sd2649 · #9 10-30-2010, 08:29 PM

Yeah, I would be careful using the lockup. I feel it would be nice on a long highway trip with little hills the whole way.

NeedForSpeed · #10 10-30-2010, 08:32 PM

There never has been a switch to control lockup,
as far as I know.

Awox · #11 10-30-2010, 09:51 PM

So I've got a little rocker switch grounded at one end and the other end shoved into A4. It was a pain in the ass but I could do it without removing the dash as long as the wheel was up and seat was back...... Results are freaking awesome. Power mode all the time is amazing.

However, I like the idea of using the "manual" button on the shifter for this function. The convenient thing is that it's just 2 pins over, pin A6 with the brown and black wire. I'd like to just pull that pin and move it over to A4 but I can't get my freakin arms in there to do it. I've never pulled the dash apart on one of these before.

Is it easy or a mega-huge pain in the ass?

Coan · #12 10-30-2010, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awox

However, I like the idea of using the "manual" button on the shifter for this function. The convenient thing is that it's just 2 pins over, pin A6 with the brown and black wire. I'd like to just pull that pin and move it over to A4 but I can't get my freakin arms in there to do it. I've never pulled the dash apart on one of these before.

Is it easy or a mega-huge pain in the ass?

No need to remove the dash if you don't mind laying on your back on the floor for a little while (unless your a pretty big guy I suppose). Once you reach up there and unplug the connector it's not too bad to do. Check my pics on page 12 (post #174) of the power mode thread. It should only take a few minutes, assuming you don't do it incorrectly the first time and jam the clip/pin in there like I did. If you do it like the pics show, it's fairly easy.

Having it on the manual button is very convenient; I would highly recommend it. Especially since that button was never of any use to me before. Now I just gotta find a way to change the lettering on the shifter from "manual" to "powerz".

Awox · #13 10-30-2010, 11:16 PM

I'll have to try when it's light out, I can't see anything up there cause i can barely get my head and arm under there, let alone 2 arms. I may have to pull the lower part of the dash.

Wish me luck!

Wikedjuggalo · #14 10-30-2010, 11:23 PM

Well I blew up the reduction gear shortly after doing this mod. I can't provide hard evidence but I already know the front diffs are not great on FWD SVX. I'd rather not push the luck again.

Awox · #15 10-30-2010, 11:43 PM

I tried getting back up there to do it without pulling the dash, my problem is that the TCU harnesses are taped and wire tied together rather tightly and I can't pull it far enough away to get bot my hands at it and I can't get scisors up there to cut the tape without 2 good hands. I'll just have to wait till daylight and pull the dash apart.