LapTrax TransActive Controller Install
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
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From: Charleston SC
LapTrax TransActive Controller Install
I did this installation recently and thought that maybe a few pointers might be helpful.
1) The thing works great. Nary a problem, and it does just what I want. The provided operating instructions are very complete. Note that you can revert to stock at any time (if for instance you get into snow or other slippery stuff), whether the car is moving or not, just by pressing the TC/AH button on the center console, just as if you had activated "Competition Mode" manually on startup. For my 2000 M6, where TC/AH is very intrusive, this thing is a real plus, and I simply did not remember to always go to "Competition Mode" manually on startup. By the way, with this unit just go from key in ignition straight to startup, or the whole LapTrax startup sequence is repeated twice - no harm in that, but it gets old.
2) The installation of the standard unit is quite simple, involving only the manipulation of a few wires next to the BCM in the passenger's side footwell. The instructions for this are excellent. Just note that the red wire clips supplied must be clipped partially shut after slipping onto the first wire via lateral pressure on the clip (you will hear a click) before poking the LapTrax wire into the recess and closing fully via top to bottom pressure on the clip with a pliers (you will hear a second click).
3) The installation of the "Deluxe" version is something else again, but well worth it in my opinion. This version provides for automatic blanking of the DIC after the LapTrax unit does its thing rather than leaving "Competition Mode," or "TC/AH Disabled" if you have that set for the LapTrax default, displayed. I guess that since I am pigheaded and since I hate halfway measures, this was the way to go for me. For the installation of this version, everything is the same as that for the standard version until you get to the wire that you need to run to the DIC switch under the dash. For this, the first thing to do is to go to http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html where Pat97Vette has posted very complete illustrated inatallation instructions for the column lock bypass from Tom Zavada, of C5Solutions. Print that out. By the way, if you haven't got that on your car, now is the time to do it, since you will be right there (do you really want the Chevy droid pulling your steering wheel apart for their alleged fix? - not unless you have a really good dealer, and I am not too thrilled with the design of that "fix" in any case). Disassemble the dash as shown there. You will now need to get the blue LapTrax wire over from the BCM area. For this, take a stiffer wire, and gently poke it through from behind the passenger's side footwell on behind the ashtray until you see it on the driver's side under the dash, and use that wire to fish the floppy blue LapTrax wire through by attaching it to the stiffer wire. Then reach up and feel the plug behind the DIC switch panel. It is smooth and about 1 1/4 inches long. Pull it straight out (no clips or anything). You will feel a smooth clip over the wires just behind the plug - pull the wires out from under the bottom side of this clip. There is a second sharper (this is all by feel) clip behind this first one. Pull the wires up over the top of this. You will now be able to pull the DIC switch plug down far enough to attach the blue LapTrax wire to the blue DIC switch plug wire. Next, install the column lock bypass if you have not already done so! Test everything out to make sure that your connections are sound. Put it all back together, and you are done.
4) Whew!
1) The thing works great. Nary a problem, and it does just what I want. The provided operating instructions are very complete. Note that you can revert to stock at any time (if for instance you get into snow or other slippery stuff), whether the car is moving or not, just by pressing the TC/AH button on the center console, just as if you had activated "Competition Mode" manually on startup. For my 2000 M6, where TC/AH is very intrusive, this thing is a real plus, and I simply did not remember to always go to "Competition Mode" manually on startup. By the way, with this unit just go from key in ignition straight to startup, or the whole LapTrax startup sequence is repeated twice - no harm in that, but it gets old.
2) The installation of the standard unit is quite simple, involving only the manipulation of a few wires next to the BCM in the passenger's side footwell. The instructions for this are excellent. Just note that the red wire clips supplied must be clipped partially shut after slipping onto the first wire via lateral pressure on the clip (you will hear a click) before poking the LapTrax wire into the recess and closing fully via top to bottom pressure on the clip with a pliers (you will hear a second click).
3) The installation of the "Deluxe" version is something else again, but well worth it in my opinion. This version provides for automatic blanking of the DIC after the LapTrax unit does its thing rather than leaving "Competition Mode," or "TC/AH Disabled" if you have that set for the LapTrax default, displayed. I guess that since I am pigheaded and since I hate halfway measures, this was the way to go for me. For the installation of this version, everything is the same as that for the standard version until you get to the wire that you need to run to the DIC switch under the dash. For this, the first thing to do is to go to http://97vette.com/howto/columnlock/index.html where Pat97Vette has posted very complete illustrated inatallation instructions for the column lock bypass from Tom Zavada, of C5Solutions. Print that out. By the way, if you haven't got that on your car, now is the time to do it, since you will be right there (do you really want the Chevy droid pulling your steering wheel apart for their alleged fix? - not unless you have a really good dealer, and I am not too thrilled with the design of that "fix" in any case). Disassemble the dash as shown there. You will now need to get the blue LapTrax wire over from the BCM area. For this, take a stiffer wire, and gently poke it through from behind the passenger's side footwell on behind the ashtray until you see it on the driver's side under the dash, and use that wire to fish the floppy blue LapTrax wire through by attaching it to the stiffer wire. Then reach up and feel the plug behind the DIC switch panel. It is smooth and about 1 1/4 inches long. Pull it straight out (no clips or anything). You will feel a smooth clip over the wires just behind the plug - pull the wires out from under the bottom side of this clip. There is a second sharper (this is all by feel) clip behind this first one. Pull the wires up over the top of this. You will now be able to pull the DIC switch plug down far enough to attach the blue LapTrax wire to the blue DIC switch plug wire. Next, install the column lock bypass if you have not already done so! Test everything out to make sure that your connections are sound. Put it all back together, and you are done.
4) Whew!
Gotta' get one ordered! The blue wire has me a little worried, causing procrastination! :(
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: LapTrax TransActive Controller Install (George Cooper)
Thanks for the feedback George! We're going to incorporate some of your comments (and a few others) into the next version of the Deluxe version installation instructions.
Getting the blue wire on can be a challenge since a lot needs to be done by feel. It's only really hard when you compare it to how easy the standard installation is.
The best thing, is that you can leave the blue wire disconnected until you're ready to tackle that part of the installation. It has no effect on the unit at all.
Seanr, the TracActive Controller is an accessory which automaticly puts the car into Competition Mode when you start the engine. It has a number of other features as well. For complete info, just click on the LapTrax banner below.
For all those thinking about ordering, we still have units in stock, ready to ship.
If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to e-mail or call.
Mike
Getting the blue wire on can be a challenge since a lot needs to be done by feel. It's only really hard when you compare it to how easy the standard installation is.
The best thing, is that you can leave the blue wire disconnected until you're ready to tackle that part of the installation. It has no effect on the unit at all.
Seanr, the TracActive Controller is an accessory which automaticly puts the car into Competition Mode when you start the engine. It has a number of other features as well. For complete info, just click on the LapTrax banner below.
For all those thinking about ordering, we still have units in stock, ready to ship.
If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to e-mail or call.
Mike
