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I’ve searched around and haven’t seen where anyone else has had this problem so I’m hoping it’s not just me being a dummy.
I went to install my Mid America Motorsports CAGS eliminator kit I just got on my ‘99 C5 and could not get the connectors on the harness end to go into the bypass. Looking at the plugs they look different. Those who have done this before, do my connectors look the same as what you had when you did your installs?
Note: I was able to get the plug to go into the transmission side.
CAGS eliminator harness connector. CAGS connector on car harness. Plug from kit to install into transmission.
I was poking around on some internet sites and it looks like you have one for a C4
Along with that, IIRC, there are 2-3 electrical connections on the transmission, so you have to make sure that you're working with the right connection.
Don't worry, you're not the only one. Pictures seem to indicate you've done everything correctly. The correct harness should be gray and on the driver's side of the trans. I'm racking my brain trying to remember what the cause and resolution was to a similar, if not identical, situation we ran into just a few months ago with another C5. If I'm remembering right, I believe it was an earlier C5 as well.
The other tech here that I work with dealt with the issue at the time and he is unfortunately out of the office today. Since I wasn't directly working on it, I cannot for the life of me remember the exact scenario but I know it was a very similar situation with the plugs being different. This is a rather uncommon issue and I remember us both being thrown off by it because we've sold these for years and you are now just the second example ever brought to our attention of having any type of issues with the connections.
When he's back in tomorrow, I will get with him first thing in the morning and have him refresh my memory on how the last issue like this was resolved. We'll get this solved for you! Sorry for the troubles!
-Nick
Last edited by Mid America Motorworks; Aug 22, 2022 at 01:15 PM.
Reason: Typo
Thanks for the help Nick and everyone else. I double checked the packaging and it says it’s for a ‘97 on up. I’ll wait for an answer tomorrow. Appreciate the help.
Yeah, that end that caps off the plug at the trans is is the same one we use for 89-19, the only difference in the kits is the other end that plugs in to the factory CAGS harness varies for 89-95,96, and 97-19. I went over to our warehouse to pull a few other kits just to make sure they all looked correct and I saw nothing wrong with anything on the shelf.
I recall there being something that could cause some cars to have a different style plug at the trans like you're running into but just can't recall what we found last time. Like I said though, I'll get with our other tech who worked on this when he is back in the office. I sent him a note already explaining your issue and to see me on it tomorrow morning.
Mammoth, is your '99 a fixed roof coupe by chance? I'm still muddling around trying to figure this out. I had an '01 Z06 in our shop today for an exhaust and while I was in there, I had a bypass kit sent over so I could fiddle around. It had the same plug in your picture. I can't figure out why the end that caps off the trans plugs in fine and connects together with the new bypass harness fine but the actual CAGS harness won't plug into the bypass.
I'm wondering if the issue we ran into last time was something that could be more prominent in FRCs and Z06s. Still not sure why - but trying to dig around for my notes from last time. My other tech wasn't planning on being out today, so still trying to get with him as well. Just wanted to touch base and let you know I haven't forgotten about you!
Its the flashing (opaque plastic around the edges) in the plastic on the male plug up high on the trans. My 98 coupe connector is depicted below. It is an obvious problem, on your car as well (2nd pic of your post). This drove me nuts as it was one of the 1st things I tried to do after purchasing the car. I have an early 98 coupe I couldn't use the plug and play kit on. I ended up using the Compliance Parts, skip shift kit due to this. I had thoughts of using a scalpel and trimming the plastic, but it is some tough old plastic and decided to go the Compliance Parts route. That male pug is pretty high up there. Careful with sharp cutting tools, if your gonna' cut the flashing, to get it to work. More work for the Compliance Parts version, but has worked perfectly in the 7k miles I've owned the car (March 2022).
Its the flashing (opaque plastic around the edges) in the plastic on the male plug up high on the trans. My 98 coupe connector is depicted below. It is an obvious problem, on your car as well (2nd pic of your post). This drove me nuts as it was one of the 1st things I tried to do after purchasing the car. I have an early 98 coupe I couldn't use the plug and play kit on. I ended up using the Compliance Parts, skip shift kit due to this. I had thoughts of using a scalpel and trimming the plastic, but it is some tough old plastic and decided to go the Compliance Parts route. That male pug is pretty high up there. Careful with sharp cutting tools, if your gonna' cut the flashing, to get it to work. More work for the Compliance Parts version, but has worked perfectly in the 7k miles I've owned the car (March 2022).
I had thought of doing exactly this. After getting tires on the car and putting new hood struts on it, this was going my first actual mod.
CAGS Eliminator Won’t Plug In
