Five-Speed Conversion, Update and Questions

BradInTexas · Post by **BradInTexas** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:45 am

Five speed conversion went pretty well. At first the car wouldn't start but then I remembered you have to be in "Park" so I shorted the connector where the plug when into the old auto shift handle and viola! The car was running poorly, but after replacing two injectors I finally got it running on all six. The engine I put in with the trans is pretty tired, with low compression on two cylinders. It would not rev out at all, but thanks to Peter's throttle FAQ I discovered the WOT switch was not working. It still has a flat spot at 3000rpm, but runs OK otherwise. I'll get to the AFM next.

The problem for now is I have no back-up lamps, and the inspection will expire at the end of the month. If anyone has done the auto to manual thing and can give a hint I'd appreciate it. I thought I had connected everything properly, but obviously I missed something (like I discovered with the no-start condition described above). Thanks.

1st 5er · Post by **1st 5er** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:45 am

May be a conversion in my future, so I'll watch and learn.

jbbush · Post by **jbbush** » Mon Mar 29, 2010 5:02 pm

What wires did you bridge? I'm removing that wiring harness while I have the dashboard out in (sort of) prep for a manual-transmission conversion later on.

Thanks!

Mike W. · Post by **Mike W.** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:22 pm

The A/T wiring plug by the shifter is where you need to tie in. It's more or less square with maybe 9 terminal positions. IIRC it's blue/white and green/white that you need to hook up to the reverse switch in the tranny, but look on the diagram, don't take my word. And a word on that, they are often bad especially after sitting for a long time, so you might need to replace that switch too.

jbbush · Post by **jbbush** » Tue Mar 30, 2010 7:07 pm

Oh, I had totally forgotten about the reverse light circuit! Good to know. Maybe I should leave that harness in the car.

I was actually talking about either bypassing or bridging the wires in that harness so the car will think it's always in Park or Neutral and thus start.

Thanks again.

jbbush · Post by **jbbush** » Thu May 13, 2010 11:54 pm

And here's an interesting data point:

On RealOEM the part number for the automatic and manual pedal brackets is the same. In the diagram, it shows one pedal bracket for both and parts and part numbers for a cover plate that goes over the clutch master cylinder holes when used in auto trans cars.

Only, on my late-production 528iA, I don't have any holes or any cover plates on my pedal bracket; it's all solid! This is going to make the manual transmission conversion a little more, um, interesting. Hello, hole saw.