BackInBlackGP

I have a bulb in my dashboard labeled Shift (and an up arrow image) but it never illuminates. The bulb and wiring appear to be fine behind the dash, but I do not know what triggers the lamp. (ECM, Vac. sensor?) Do I not have this feature installed, or is something else non functional...?

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

The ecm controls it depeding on the ratio of the engine speed to the final drive speed. Hmmm... might want to check the wiring. Also try measuring the resistance of the bulb to make sure teh filiment is still fully intact.

sqzbox

Be happy it doesn't work! I mean, who needs a light to shift anyway? I have one in my 88 form. w/a 700R4 and it comes on constantly even in 4th gear locked up! I find it annoying and woder if GM put it in just to make people think they have something more than they do! I wish it would burn out, because I don't want to go through all the hassle of trying to get to it under a dash that would require a GPS system to navigate around all the crap under there!

91305z

i would be suprised the chip you put in has disabled it. Thats what mine did

KagA152

iTrader: (5)

i dislike mine. i wonder if it would be possible to program into the ecm for it to come on at a certain rpm, so it would actually be of use?

GASGZLR

The shift light is only for 5 speed cars. the auto cars are not supposed to have a light in there because that is the circuit used to lock the Torque converter. When ever the light is on, that means the ECM is sending as signal to lock the torque converter. Just open up the dash and pull that thinkg out.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

My friends 88 GTA, while driving in 5th will have the Shift Up light come on. I can't recall my 86 doing this while in 5th.

sqzbox

kagA152 yeah, do that! Then you can throw the tach out the window and put an air vent in there!

BackInBlackGP

I'm not a big fan of the light either, but I'd like to know if I have a problem elsewhere... Was there any delete option from Pontiac in 1986?

The light does not function with the factory PROM either, so I think I can rule out the aftermarket one...

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

Yes, it is possible to have the shiftlight come on when you want. That was sort of the idea to begin with. Have the S/L come on to tell the user the best shift point to help improve fuel economy, or so I hear.

TraviZ

iTrader: (2)

ya that light is telling you when to shift for best mpg.

mine didnt work when the speedometer didnt work, when i fixed my speedo, the light worked.

it never comes on in fifth gear.

i think it works like this..

when the tps stays at a steady voltage for a certain ammount of time, like 2 or 3 seconds, then the light pops on, until you shift or give, or let go of gas.

also it pops on no matter what if you hit redline

KagA152

iTrader: (5)

i didnt mean get rid of the tach, but rather if youre running an aftermarket tach, you dont have to spend the money on a shift light option

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

Yes, basically the engine speed, ratio of engine to final drive speed and tps control when the shiftlight will come on and turn off.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

(opps, replied to wrong person)

sqzbox

Yeah I know, I was just trying to be funny! I'm going to pull mine out of the garage tomorrow and actually pay attn. to when it comes on in relation to speed, rpm, gear selection, (man. & auto) and torque conv. lockup. You'all have me going on this one! Now I have to find out for myself!! I can't understand WHY I would need a shift light with a 700-R4. The light coming on in relation to lockup makes sense, but why does GM think I need to see it?
I'll post results tomorrow!

sqzbox

Well, here it is! took the form. out this afternoon and ran it through the gears in man. shift and auto. WOT and part.
1st , no shift light (wound it to 5500)
2nd, no shift light to 5000
3rd, shift light came on at WOT at 3000 and torque conv. locked up
4th, We all know what happens at WOT in that gear! backed the throttle off to 3/4, it shifted and was already locked up and light came on immediatly.
AUTO MODE: WOT, same results execpt shift points were at 4500
AUTO MODE part throttle, locked up at lower rpm when shift light came on.
CONCLUSIONS:GASGZLR nailed it! Shift light comes on w/torque conv. lock-up but does not come on at red line w/auto 700-R4.
PERSONAL OPINION: shift light is useless w/automatic. Yes it could provide a economic shift point for t-5's but I doubt you would be able to see it in daylight unless your looking directly at it and then your eye's wouldn't be on the road. You might as well look at the tach, and learn your shift points by best ET. Thats why they invented the memory tach, so when you get your lowest ET you can go back and read your shift RPM in each gear. It seems to me that GM should have put the word lock-up in place of shift on cars with automatics! I tried the manual lock-up switch posted in the tech articles once, and don't recall the shift light ever comming on, so I guess the light is controled entirely by the computer. I didn't like the manual switch because it shifted into 2nd and then locked up even with the switch on in 1st then shifting to second. I could feel the difference in torque w/lock-up in second but the feel of the shift didn't set with me to well and I felt I wasn't doing the trans any justice as far as it's life span!

DartByU

The shift light on my car is useless for anyone that knows how to drive a stick, it doesn't appear to be useful for MPG either because if your trying to get the best MPG and trying to shift early the light always comes on later than it should in my opinion. If i'm just putt-putting around I shift WAY before the light comes on.

sqzbox

I didn't want to go there about knowing how to drive a stick! I've been bashed for for that before! Seems like it's more for performance rather than economy! Let's just call it "SHIFT LIGHT FOR DUMMIES" What do you think?

BackInBlackGP

OK, above and beyond arguing wether or not the light is useful I need to know if it is supposed to function. Since I've been the car's second owner now for 10 years, it has not lit for me. The bulb IS good, and the wiring that I can see/feel without tearing the dash completely apart seems intact.

Would anyone be so kind as to post schematics??? I have most of the interior apart whilst repairing the 90W leak in the shifter assembly area, so now is the time for me to check wiring while I can get at it... The car is old, and I don't want to keep tearing it apart if I don't have to. There are enough creaks and rattles as it is...

BackInBlackGP

Wiring? Anyone?

BackInBlackGP

TTT

<----- Still looking for schematics if anyone would be so kind as to post them.

Thanks.

TMX

You have mail.

-B

Adrenaline

Did camaros ever(82-92) come with that? if not, how come?

sqzbox

Like the separation of church and state, some things are sacred!
Camaro's have their 1-LE's Pontiac has their WS-6's!