1 to 4 shift
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Oakley CA
1 to 4 shift
What is the purpose of this? When I'm in 1st and the rpm's get close to 1500, the 1 to 4 shift light comes on and it doesn't want to shift into 2nd. I have to either let off the gas or manhandle it into 2nd. Any way to avoid this other than shifting at 1200 rpm's?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Long Sault Ontario
you can buy a skip shift eliminator. I know their are forum vendors that sell them. You can also buy a hand held tuner to eliminate this. And lastly, you can have the car professionally tuned and they can eliminate this for you.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
To the OP, the intent of this wonderful device, was it allowed GM to avoid a gas-guzzler tax on the Corvette. Shifting to 4th so quickly gets you into a more economical mode of operation....provided you don't get "rear ended" while looking for fourth gear, as it's not a "natural" shift from 1st.....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
You basically have two options if you don't like it (as many including myself do not).
Option 1: Install a hardware CAGS bypass available cheap from many forum vendors (also looks like someone who posted above has one available). With the bypass the 1 - 4 shift light will still illuminate but the solenoid will not engage and you'll be able to shift into second. The install is simple and takes no more than fifteen minutes taking your time. You simply unplug a wiring harness from your transmission at the rear of the car and plug the CAGS bypass into it then zip tie the hanging wire out of the way.
Option 2: Tune the CAGS out of the PCM via your own turning software such as HP Tuners or have a tuner do it for you. With this option the solenoid will not engage and the 1 - 4 shift light will not illuminate.
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Oakley CA
Thanks for the info. I'll look into the options you've suggested. By the way, to a certain responder, I've found that the replies on here from other owners have been more helpful than the manual. Isn't that the whole point in having this forum? I greatly appreciate the help the rest of you were willing to take the time to offer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Shift above 2000 RPM when the 1->4 shift light goes out.
From Owner's Manual:
"Do not try to force the shift lever into SECOND (2)
or THIRD (3) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light
comes on. Do not try to re-engage FIRST (1)
after starting to shift into FOURTH (4). You will
damage your transmission. Shift only from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the light
comes on."
This light will come on when:
Putting a skip shift eliminator is what most guys do, then you don't have to be conscious all the time about your 1st to 2nd gear shifts to try and avoid the 1 to 4 skip shift.
From Owner's Manual:
"Do not try to force the shift lever into SECOND (2)
or THIRD (3) when the 1 TO 4 SHIFT light
comes on. Do not try to re-engage FIRST (1)
after starting to shift into FOURTH (4). You will
damage your transmission. Shift only from
FIRST (1) to FOURTH (4) when the light
comes on."
This light will come on when:
- The engine coolant temperature is higher than 169 F (76 C),
- You are going 15 to 19 mph (24 to 31 km/h) and
- You are at 21 percent throttle or less.
Putting a skip shift eliminator is what most guys do, then you don't have to be conscious all the time about your 1st to 2nd gear shifts to try and avoid the 1 to 4 skip shift.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
The first coule of times I was in traffic, I almost got rear-ended a couple of times. When you start to accelerate from a traffic light, the cars behind you generally assume that you'll be going at a uniform rate. They don't expect a spurt of acceleration, followed by a couple second slow down, while you search for 4th gear!!