Auto to manual ???

[bkbimmer]

A few weeks ago I bought another '75 530i that is a auto car, this weekend I have been converting it to a 5-speed.

My question is, what wires do I connect to remove the neutral safety function from the auto? I looked in the tech area but came up empty handed.

[Jeff Dennis]

I think Blaise just did this and was covered somewhat in his build post. That may help you.

[bkbimmer]

Thankyou sir, much appreciated!

[Blaise]

Yes, it actually becomes obvious when you get there. The harness that goes to the automatic shifter is unplugged and the two car side plugs are joined. Then there is one ground (brown) wire to hook up to a body ground....without it, the car will not start. Hope that helps.

[bkbimmer]

Yes, it actually becomes obvious when you get there. The harness that goes to the automatic shifter is unplugged and the two car side plugs are joined. Then there is one ground (brown) wire to hook up to a body ground....without it, the car will not start. Hope that helps.

Mine seemed to be differant, but I figured it out. I eliminated the starter relay and connected the black/yellow wire with the black wire that goes to the starter switch (no ground needed), runs perfect. As for the reverse lights it was the purple/white and blue/white wires, I made a little harness and LIGHTS!

I also used the factory auto pedal box and used e24 pedals sinceI have a huge amount of early e24 parts.

Thanks for the help guys.

[bizz]

As for the reverse lights it was the purple/white and blue/white wires, I made a little harness and LIGHTS!

Hi all,

I recently wired my reverse switch to the above mentioned wires and now my reverse lights stay on all the time when the ignition is on.

I tapped in to the wires by cutting the plug off at the auto shifter.

Faulty switch, or have I set this up wrong?

Thanks

[bizz]

Anyone?
I think i'll buy a new switch next parts order I make anyway. Can't hurt for $14..

[Falkenberg]

Didn't do an auto to manual conversion, but I did change my gearbox. I had to move over the switch from the old one because the connector was different. And of course, the reverse lights were on all the time. When I loosened the switch a bit, they would switch off. So I added a washer as a spacer and now all is ok. Don't know if that is related to your problem. My switch has just one wire going to it.

[bizz]

FYI - I pulled the switch and tested it, no good. Sprayed some degreaser through it and it started working partially. New switch on the way

Removal is simple enough, courtesy of a 19mm spanner - you can just squeeze it in there for a few turns, then unscrew by hand..

I will report back with the correct coloured wires too.

[pappentl]

I have the same issue. I'm converting a former automatic to a 5-speed. I have the 9-pin connector for the auto shifter, which pins do I jump so I can start the car? TIA.

[D.]

Times two.

[bizz]

Hi guys, sorry I haven't got round to getting photos.

I can however quote an old post, I think this is accurate. I found the relay under the dash and bypassed it. (on my RHD car it's on the far right in the footwell)

At the connector that plugged into the shifter you need to jumper the brn/blk wire to the brn wire in order for your engine to start. You could also search out the neutral saftey relay (behind the kick panel somewhere), remove the relay, and jumper the contact terminals on the relay socket to do the same thing.

For reverse lights run 2 wires from the switch on the tranny and connect them to the grn/wht and blu/wht wires in the connector.