It is possible that you do not have a fuse for the air bag because they do not want it to blow accidently and not have the air bag function. I can't remember exactly, but someone may have mentioned a fuse under the passenger floor mat. I have seen this for headlights on cars, they want to make sure they don't go out accidently when you need them. I had the head lights on an Audi go out at night on a curve in Arkansas (defective head light switch). I hit the brakes and left the steering alone and rolled to a stop in the curve. We were lucky! Later through testing I learned that the high beams would still work if you held the lever back. If course I didn't have time to figure that out in the curve, thank goodness my wife wasn't driving. Again, thanks for your life lessons imput. Have a happy cruising!

 

Very nice write up, but after reading it, i started to wonder if the wires are found under dash ?, or is there a module in steering wheel that sends information on one wire to PCM ?


If so, HPT should find this parameter and let us change them




Rune

 

Judging from the wiring diagram and seeing it firsthand I'm almost positive it cannot be changed via programing. It's basically a hot lead into a double pole switch where one side is downshift and the other is upshift. I can't imagine how a parameter could designate the paddle reversal on one side only. But ... it would be easier if it could.

 

It can't be changed under the dash and I don't think it can be programmed either. The BCM sends battery voltage to the paddles, then from there the signal goes directly to the trans not the PCM. Also the signal in not just an on/off signal. It's different voltage drops created from different resistors. Here is a link to my original write-up.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...7&postcount=11

 

BTW, if you guys feel safer pulling an air bag fuse, it's in the BCM labeled SDM/AOS AIRBAG and it's a 10 amp fuse.

 

OK, I'll be the first -- BCM = ? -- and where is it?

 

BCM = Body Control Module and it's located under the passenger side footwell (in front of the passengers feet). Just pull the carpet/panel back

 

And we want HP Tuners to be able to reprogram this as well, so maybe there could be an easy fix ?

Rune

 

Guys, I not really familiar with the other European cars with the paddles. I'm just raising a question on changing the paddles around. I know when I was in Colorado doing alot of downhill switchbacks which sometimes were totally hidden when you suddently came into them and you had to suddently make additional downshifts for more hidden switchbacks while you were turning through them (deminishing radiuses with additional downward slope). Would there be confusion because the paddles are turning with the steering wheel and are not stationerary which I understand the Europeans are? It seems in these tight turns with additional turns that you could get mixed up or confused with the paddles because they are turning too, not stationary? Am I raising a valid question here when you have to do multible downshifts but you are not aware of the additional downshifts until you are further into the turn? I known that there was times that I would start downshifting from 4th to 3rd, then to 2nd, and finally to 1st. If course, I could have used the brakes more but you have only so much brakes before fading and you want to save them by using the gears. It was in the 30o's and with all the downshifting, my transmission was reading 225o, I sure it would have been alot, alot higher if it had been hot outside. I was really pushing the curves at times, and sometimes there was not much choice but to use both additional gears and brakes. I feel that if the paddles were shifted and rotating with the steering wheel I would have made incorrect shifts, am I correct on this? It might be ok to do this paddle reversing in more simple curves and swithbacks, but it was hard to find the buttons at times. It would be like trying to do multible downshifts in a slalmon without hitting any cones at high speed, its hard enough without doing additional downshifts between cones and not foul out (go off the mountain).

 

The 'shift signal' goes directly to the trans control module that is in the trans. I don't know if the aftermarket tuners can program those modules or not?

 

Thank you.

 

I also wish GM had made the Paddle Shifters European style - bigger and one function on each side.

If as so described, very nicely I might add, I switch the paddles, the markers on the paddles will be wrong. Also, your eye tells you the one on the right is "+", but that is if you push that side down with the thumb. Even if you put your own stickers on them, what the eye sees is the opposite of what happens (You see the "push" action but are are actually pulling on the shifter in the back to perform the opposite function).

As much as I would like to swich the shift function, I am afraid to. As what the eye sees the mind wants to do, but it must not

IMHO - Of course - you might be able to train yourself to always pull on the right for up and pull of the left for down, but I am some what dyslectic.

 

You're right -- it does get to be a handful. I have to stay alert to find the correct button or paddle when autocrossing. In mountains, also, but to a lesser degree. But that is the case with the OEM setup as well once you start turning the wheel a lot. I tend to drive with one hand on the wheel -- a holdover from always having manual transmissions -- and my hand is usually near the top of the wheel. That's not convenient to any paddle location -- GM or European.

I had to adapt to the paddles at first but now just to the change in operation. Remember that once the paddles are modified you can still apply the opposite shift (up or down) on a given side using the + button at the top. The more I use the paddles the more instinctive they become and the modified pattern, to me, is easier to learn and use. Ultimately, I suppose, I would prefer a rachet shifter on the console but that is only because I found manual trans use mindless after so many years. However, I can see the benefit of having both hands on the wheel. And, I have gotten much better about keeping them there when I know I'll want to control my shifts.

I'm confident that with continued use their operation will require less and less thought. As with most things it takes practice and fortunately the C6 just begs to be driven daily.

--Dan

 

I rarely use the + button on either side now unless I find my hands in a very inconvenient position to reach and pull the paddle behind the wheel that I need. Only difference now is that pushing the + is the opposite of that side's rear paddle. So, that's really only a change to the right side + button -- which after the modification will downshift. The left side remains as delivered -- push the + for up and pull the paddle for down.

And, thank you.

--Dan

 

Dan:

I appreciate your good insight, especially now using two hands on the wheel. In the mountains, one slip and it is over. That is one reason why I'm hesitant to make the paddle change, one slip and it could be over that quick. The basic idea or concept is ok but it has to tailor to the the application. I really don't think agressive mountain driving is a good answer, N0 PARACHUTE. Anyways, I appreciate your good "out of the box" or extended thinking on subjects. I just wish some of the others folks could think this way and it would be easier on many of us. I always deal with: Cause = Effect or A = B+C (know two and you know the third variable). I love to do mountain drivings and I make a habit of driving the back roads, I mean the paved back roads. I hardly know what the Interstates are anymore, just back esses, etc., that's my roads. The scenery is absolutely great, just like the old days, and you have to slow down to see the views in one piece. Again, thanks for your good imput and insights. I spent two years at Riverside in USAF, and loved every moment of it.

Have happy cruising! John

 

I ran my first hillclimb in '68 in Okinawa while there in the AF. I've always loved the mountain roads and autox which I started in '66. Just getting out and driving a lot at a brisk pace has made me comfortable and confident in my cars so I tend to try to ignore large dropoffs and such. Besides, last I heard we're both persona non grata in Colorado -- being from California and Texas as we are -- although I motored back into Denver at Christmas.

My time spent at Lackland and Sheppard in '66 wasn't as great as your Riverside stay -- as I'm sure you recall. But many years in Japan and also Denver were very good times.

--Dan

 

Dan

If course I spent time at Lackland then Sheppard for 1yr, then Riverside for 2yr, and finally Turkey for 1+yr. I did my dig from '61 to '65. I was sure glad to get back to TX to finish schooling; otherwise, I would have loved to stay in Calif. Let you in on a secret about CO, this is TX's, etc. playground. I had been going there since I was 6, it has really changed in 60 yrs! I have been there so many times I can't count it all on my fingers and toes, and all the Texan's I have met there. My grandfather was going there in the 1910's and owned property in Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park and use to also camp there during the summers. He was from Kansas. For many years there was hardly anyone in CO, except for the large cities. Look at it now!

Have good cruising. John