Skip shift eliminator
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: BEAUFORT SC
Skip shift eliminator
I hope this hasn't been asked before, but I'm sure I'll find out..
I am considering trading in my C6 A6 Z51 and go for the manual transmission. Do you suppose the dealer service department would install the skip shift eliminator if I purchased the part and paid for installation labor? I don't have access to a lift so if they didn't do it, who would you recommend?
I am considering trading in my C6 A6 Z51 and go for the manual transmission. Do you suppose the dealer service department would install the skip shift eliminator if I purchased the part and paid for installation labor? I don't have access to a lift so if they didn't do it, who would you recommend?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Tri-Cities Washington
As it disables a GM "feature" I doubt if they would install it. However, if you go the smartfuse route, you don't need a lift and can save some money as it installs in the main fuse panel under the hood.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 204
From: Sunnyvale CA
There are at least couple of ways to disable CAGS AKA Skip-Shift. One is the Skip-Shift eliminator module installed near tranny, and the other (easier one) is swapping a special fuse for CAGS. Please do a search on "smart fuse"
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 207
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From: BEAUFORT SC
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 204
From: Sunnyvale CA
Bought the module for transmission and have it, but after building my own smart fuse and replacing it, there was no need to install the module on the tranny.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,451
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From: DFW Texas
you can also go the non retarded route and get the potted plug connector that installs onto the trans harness. all you do is jack up the rear of the car and plug it in. people have been known to sometimes get a CEL with those ghetto fabulous blown fuses...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 207
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From: BEAUFORT SC
So from what I can gather, it appears that the transmission harness is more reliable than the smart fuse ---- correct?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 20
From: Twisp WA
Install
My dealer offered to let me install mine to the transmission while the car was up on their lift getting a warranty alignment. I didn't have it with me so backed it up for a few minutes on my Race Ramps and the install was quick and easy as expected.
George
George
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 151
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From: Huntingtown MD
I hope this hasn't been asked before, but I'm sure I'll find out..
I am considering trading in my C6 A6 Z51 and go for the manual transmission. Do you suppose the dealer service department would install the skip shift eliminator if I purchased the part and paid for installation labor? I don't have access to a lift so if they didn't do it, who would you recommend?
I am considering trading in my C6 A6 Z51 and go for the manual transmission. Do you suppose the dealer service department would install the skip shift eliminator if I purchased the part and paid for installation labor? I don't have access to a lift so if they didn't do it, who would you recommend?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 939
Likes: 38
From: Riva MD
I've had 5 cars with the transmission plug CAGS-Defeat (CAGS=Computer Aided Gear Select) and never had a problem with any of them. Installs on all of them only took a matter of a couple of minutes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 1
From: Chesapeake Va
Go to your local auto parts store and buy a Smart Fuse or clone. It has an LED in it to alert you that it's blown. The LED provides the resistance necessary to run a blown fuse as a CAGS eliminator. Buy the Smart Fuse, hook it across your battery or to a battery charger so it blows. You won't hear or feel a thing, the LED will illuminate. Remove the CORRECT fuse and install the blown Smart Fuse. Whalah! Done. If you blow a standard fuse the system knows it and will set a DIC alert &code. With the LED providing proper characteristics, the tranny solendoid is not engaged and the car thinks everything is functioning as it should.
Last edited by GotChrist?; Oct 21, 2009 at 11:16 AM. Reason: Spelling/grammar correction
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 581
Likes: 10
From: NJ
Go to your local auto parts store and buy a Smart Fuse of clone. It has an LED in it to alert you that it's blown. The LED provides the resistance necessary to run a blown fuse as a CAGS eliminator. Buy the Smart Fuse, hook it across your battery to to a battery charger so it blows. You won't hear or feel a thing, the LED will illuminate. Remove the CORRECT fuse and install the blown Smart Fuse. Whalah! Done. If you blow a standard fuse the system knows it and will set a DIC alert &code. With the LED providing proper characteristics, the tranny solendoid is not engaged and the car thinks everything is functioning as it should.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,657
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
The dealer service department most likely will not install a skip shift eliminator for you.
It's illegal for them to defeat emissions related devices and your government has mandated that CAGS be used to meet emissions and CAFE and "gas guzzler' laws. There is a hefty fine awaiting them if they install it and get caught.
If you have the ability to solder you can make the famous Leres CAGS elimination fuse that you don't have to crawl under the car to install.
It's illegal for them to defeat emissions related devices and your government has mandated that CAGS be used to meet emissions and CAFE and "gas guzzler' laws. There is a hefty fine awaiting them if they install it and get caught.
If you have the ability to solder you can make the famous Leres CAGS elimination fuse that you don't have to crawl under the car to install.
I hope this hasn't been asked before, but I'm sure I'll find out..
I am considering trading in my C6 A6 Z51 and go for the manual transmission. Do you suppose the dealer service department would install the skip shift eliminator if I purchased the part and paid for installation labor? I don't have access to a lift so if they didn't do it, who would you recommend?
I am considering trading in my C6 A6 Z51 and go for the manual transmission. Do you suppose the dealer service department would install the skip shift eliminator if I purchased the part and paid for installation labor? I don't have access to a lift so if they didn't do it, who would you recommend?
Last edited by Rule292; Oct 19, 2009 at 08:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: BEAUFORT SC
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,657
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
The CAGS is necessary because of the CAFE law change that created the "gas guzzler" tax. Without the CAGS "skip shift" the car purportedly would not meet the federally requred fuel economy standards and would be subject to the "gas guzzler" tax.
It really has nothing to do with damaging the transmission.
And I too have "skip shifted" long before the feds mandated it.
It really has nothing to do with damaging the transmission.
And I too have "skip shifted" long before the feds mandated it.
Everyone has provided some very interesting information and I appreciate the responses. Many have mentioned on this site that they shift from 1st to 3rd (which is what I like to do in traffic anyway), but the owner's manual states that with skip-shift, it can (or should) only be shifted in to 4th (when the light comes on) to prevent damage to the transmission. Is this truly the case or is it just stated in the manual because the manufacturer needs to tow the government line? Shifting into 3rd gear is not a bad option if that is possible and if it is not blocked out by the CAGS system as well.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: BEAUFORT SC
The CAGS is necessary because of the CAFE law change that created the "gas guzzler" tax. Without the CAGS "skip shift" the car purportedly would not meet the federally requred fuel economy standards and would be subject to the "gas guzzler" tax.
It really has nothing to do with damaging the transmission.
And I too have "skip shifted" long before the feds mandated it.
It really has nothing to do with damaging the transmission.
And I too have "skip shifted" long before the feds mandated it.