1st to 4th skip shift
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
1st to 4th skip shift
Geez this is irritating! Bought a 2000 vert several months ago, didn't get to drive it much because of the SEVEN STRAIGHT WEEKS OF SNOW in my part of Colorado. Got it out the last few days, but this "more-annoying-than-a-barking-mother-in-law", supposedly gas saving feature is, well, irritating. So, several companies sell a "skip shift bypass." Looking for anyone who has experience with one of these. Any issues I need to know about? Hidden problems? Etc...thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
You can have a tuner disable CAGS in your PCM (computer) or install a CAGS killer for around $50.
Having CAGS disabled was the first thing I did after purchasing my car. I felt is was just a horrible setup and frankly unsafe (pulling out in traffic and the stupid thing wants me to shift into 4th..).
Having CAGS disabled was the first thing I did after purchasing my car. I felt is was just a horrible setup and frankly unsafe (pulling out in traffic and the stupid thing wants me to shift into 4th..).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 25
From: Tacoma WA
Not really a fix for you - but it's something i noticed that i'm glad i saved $30 on... lol
I used to hit CAGS all the time, but now that I think about it - ever since my 4.10 gear swap, I don't think i've met the conditions for the CAGS since! So, a DTE Differential w/ 4.10 gears is a $1300 alternative to the resistor mod thingy... lol
Dan
I used to hit CAGS all the time, but now that I think about it - ever since my 4.10 gear swap, I don't think i've met the conditions for the CAGS since! So, a DTE Differential w/ 4.10 gears is a $1300 alternative to the resistor mod thingy... lol
Dan
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you drive your Vette in the GIRLY mode, you will experience the CAGS feature, a LOT. If you drive a little more aggressively you will never see it!
I work on a military base (retired Navy) where the speed limit is 25 MPH MAX! I see/saw the CAGS feature more on a small military reservation more than any where else.
If your that concerned about CAGS, look for the 1st-4th light on the dash and when it illuminates, just mash the accelerator peddle a little bit harder (if you safely can) and you will never see CAGS!
I had it programmed out of my PCM via EFI Live. Guess what? It isn't a problem any longer, even on the Military base.
If you are forced to drive using a light accelerator pedal, your going to see CAGS unless you install the CAGS eliminator module or program it out of the PCM.
BC
I work on a military base (retired Navy) where the speed limit is 25 MPH MAX! I see/saw the CAGS feature more on a small military reservation more than any where else. If your that concerned about CAGS, look for the 1st-4th light on the dash and when it illuminates, just mash the accelerator peddle a little bit harder (if you safely can) and you will never see CAGS!
I had it programmed out of my PCM via EFI Live. Guess what? It isn't a problem any longer, even on the Military base.
If you are forced to drive using a light accelerator pedal, your going to see CAGS unless you install the CAGS eliminator module or program it out of the PCM.
BC
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Littleton NC
I was thinking along the same lines of Bill. Quit babying the car and drive it! But on a more serious note, I very rarely ever experience it on my car due to my driving tendencies. I bought a skip shift and never installed it. It may still be laying around here somewhere...
But on a more serious note, I very rarely ever experience it on my car due to my driving tendencies. I bought a skip shift and never installed it. It may still be laying around here somewhere...
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
I kept getting the light for the first couple of days, then just started to lean into her a bit harder.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
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From: I have to return some videotapes
The skip shift feature might not be an issue for a weekend toy, but it gets old quickly on a daily driver. The bypass is just a resistor. Install is easy, and I've never heard of anyone having a related problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 0
From: I have to return some videotapes
The point is that there are lots of these situations in daily driving, and I don't want to have to re-learn my techniques or "work around" the electronic nanny. I accomplished this with a $20 part (which can actually be replicated for just a few $). I assure you I am no granny driver. If I wanted a computer to pick gears for me I'd have bought an auto.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,387
Likes: 691
From: Boise ID
I find that on the rare occasions the CAGs does come into play (as in the previously mentioned left turn at the light), that it does not necessarily force you into 4th. When you pull it out of 1st and feel the resistance at 2nd, you merely pause in that position for half a moment and it will then drop into 2nd.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 805
Likes: 54
From: Murrieta CA
OK, how about a left turn lane when you're the third car in line after a red light. You pull away slowly behind the traffic and move to drop it into second midway through the turn. But no! The computer puts it in fourth for you, so the car is lugging about 500rpm. Yes, you can fake the solenoid by going into the fourth gear gate then grabbing second, or you could have just tached it out a bit more in first.
The point is that there are lots of these situations in daily driving, and I don't want to have to re-learn my techniques or "work around" the electronic nanny. I accomplished this with a $20 part (which can actually be replicated for just a few $). I assure you I am no granny driver. If I wanted a computer to pick gears for me I'd have bought an auto.
The point is that there are lots of these situations in daily driving, and I don't want to have to re-learn my techniques or "work around" the electronic nanny. I accomplished this with a $20 part (which can actually be replicated for just a few $). I assure you I am no granny driver. If I wanted a computer to pick gears for me I'd have bought an auto.
Well put.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 1
From: Montara Ca
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Just bought and '02 with this lovely feature, noticed it on a test drive, but payed no attention to it and went to 2nd. I guess this means mine is disabled? I read the manual and it seems I should not be able to shift into 2nd when the light shows up. Can someone clarify for me: Does the 1 to 4 actually lock out 2 and 3 on a car that has it activated still? If not, what happens if you ignore it and shift into 2nd?
Thanks,
VetteBandit
Thanks,
VetteBandit
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 805
Likes: 54
From: Murrieta CA
Just bought and '02 with this lovely feature, noticed it on a test drive, but payed no attention to it and went to 2nd. I guess this means mine is disabled? I read the manual and it seems I should not be able to shift into 2nd when the light shows up. Can someone clarify for me: Does the 1 to 4 actually lock out 2 and 3 on a car that has it activated still? If not, what happens if you ignore it and shift into 2nd?
Thanks,
VetteBandit
Thanks,
VetteBandit
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Just bought and '02 with this lovely feature, noticed it on a test drive, but payed no attention to it and went to 2nd. I guess this means mine is disabled? I read the manual and it seems I should not be able to shift into 2nd when the light shows up. Can someone clarify for me: Does the 1 to 4 actually lock out 2 and 3 on a car that has it activated still? If not, what happens if you ignore it and shift into 2nd?
Thanks,
VetteBandit
Thanks,
VetteBandit
I agree with DirteeDave. If you can shift normally into second or third when the light comes on, it means the CAGS system has been eliminated on your car using an easily obtainable plug in device (resistor).
On cars that can shift normally and have no light coming on, the CAGS system has been turned off in the ECM itself.
HTH,
Robert