Tiptronic to 5-speed Manual Swap: VSS, clutch pedal switch and reverse light switch?

[Dolphin18T]

I know this is a bit of a long shot because this is not commonly treaded territory, but I thought some of you might have some ideas.

I'm swapping my Tiptronic trans out for a 5-speed B6 trans and I've run into a problem with the main wiring harness that services the vehicle speed sensor and the reverse light switch for the manual transmission. I'm wondering if anyone has been able to overcome this issue without replacing the entire harness. Or, if someone knows were I can find a harness at a reasonable price, that would be helpful too.

[Dolphin18T]

Well, after getting some help in the B5 forum and studying the wiring diagrams I've found that the reverse light switch can be wired into the existing Multifunction Range Switch from the Tiptronic (Blue/Red and Black/Blue wires)

Still not sure if the VSS is the same or have to be patched in as well. Seems like a clip and swap deal as well though.

[dougyfresh]

Two ways:

1) replace entire engine wiring harness (easy way but more expensive)

2) study wiring diagrams and rewire the connectors (time consuming but cheap and effective)


Reverse light switch should be in the Tiptronic shifter like you found. You'll then have to connect the wiring on the trans with the wiring in the console so the revers light will work.

The vehicle speed switch is one of the wires in the engine harness. You need to find the ECU pin-out and trace that back to the plug for your tiptronic trans. Then take the appropriate wires and put them into the appropriate plug for the 5spd trans (I think I might have that plug).

You will also need to recode your Engine's ECu and will need a log-in for the engine controller via VAG-Com (The real deal cable, not the ebay ones). Typically done by a dealership or a licensed repair facility.

You will also have to either a) wire in the clutch pedal switch for engine start or b) bypass the relay. I can show you how to bypass the relay. Took me 10mins after reading the wiring diagram.

On the right of this image you'll have a relay (says 395 on it). Remove that and jump terminals 3 and 5 as shown. This bypasses the starter interrupt (clutch pedal switch) and you'll be able to start the car with the key in the ignition and not pushing the clutch pedal in place.


Installed in ECU box.


ECU installed.

[boostedAvant]

Nice Ryan! You gettin close to this whole thing being over? I think Trent and I may be going for some beers tomorrow night if your interested I'll give you call. Since I finally have a phone again haha.

[Dolphin18T]

Two ways:

1) replace entire engine wiring harness (easy way but more expensive)

2) study wiring diagrams and rewire the connectors (time consuming but cheap and effective)

You will also have to either a) wire in the clutch pedal switch for engine start or b) bypass the relay. I can show you how to bypass the relay. Took me 10mins after reading the wiring diagram.


Reverse light switch should be in the Tiptronic shifter like you found.

The vehicle speed switch is one of the wires in the engine harness. You need to find the ECU pin-out and trace that back to the plug for your tiptronic trans. Then take the appropriate wires and put them into the appropriate plug for the 5spd trans (I think I might have that plug).

Reverse light is either on the engine wiring harness or in the Tiptronic shifter. I forget where without glancing at the wiring diagrams.

You will also need to recode your Engine's ECu and will need a log-in for the engine controller via VAG-Com (The real deal cable, not the ebay ones). Typically done by a dealership or a licensed repair facility.

Thanks, Doug.

I'm thinking about going with the cut and patch method, I just need a little more practice reading the Bentley diagrams (they're not that great). You can confirm that the VSS plug is not the same for the 5-speed as the Tiptronic? I've been told that they might be the same. If not, like you said, I'll just cut it and patch in a manual plug (how much you want for one, if you've got one?).

I'm just going to get a different ECU from a 5-speed and then try to sell my APR III+ ECU. Gonna go with a custom tune for the 2.0.

[dougyfresh]

Thanks, Doug.

I'm thinking about going with the cut and patch method, I just need a little more practice reading the Bentley diagrams (they're not that great). You can confirm that the VSS plug is not the same for the 5-speed as the Tiptronic? I've been told that they might be the same. If not, like you said, I'll just cut it and patch in a manual plug (how much you want for one, if you've got one?).

I'm just going to get a different ECU from a 5-speed and then try to sell my APR III+ ECU. Gonna go with a custom tune for the 2.0.

The vehicle speed sensor connector is not the same.

Vince went the route of using a manual transmission engine harness.

I just looked at his automatic trans engine wiring harness, his automatic TIP trans and a spare 5spd manual I have laying around. The connector for the vehicle speed sensor on teh automatic trans is not the same as the manual trans. I need to look at another harness I have to see if I have a connector for the manual trans. I'll get back to you on that.

[Dolphin18T]

I just looked at his automatic trans engine wiring harness, his automatic TIP trans and a spare 5spd manual I have laying around. The connector for the vehicle speed sensor on teh automatic trans is not the same as the manual trans. I need to look at another harness I have to see if I have a connector for the manual trans. I'll get back to you on that.

Appreciate it. Out of curiosity, you know how much he paid for the manual harness and where I might be able to find another if I wanted to? I know they're over a grand new...

[boostedAvant]

Altitune Ryan?

[dougyfresh]

Appreciate it. Out of curiosity, you know how much he paid for the manual harness and where I might be able to find another if I wanted to? I know they're over a grand new...

Shokan. $550 give or take plus shipping.

Just figure out the pin-outs. You are so close. Its not worth the money for a wiring harness.

Unfortunately I had one and sold it yesterday. Sorry.

[Dolphin18T]

Shokan. $550 give or take plus shipping.

Just figure out the pin-outs. You are so close. Its not worth the money for a wiring harness..

Yeah, I've got a lot of it figured out already. I was just curious. Struggling with the Bentley diagrams is a chore.

Unfortunately I had one and sold it yesterday. Sorry.

The harness or the VSS plug? I'll take any plugs from the 5-speed you might have and are willing to let go of.


Thanks for updating with pics. I think I'm going to try to wire in the clutch switch. I would kick myself if for some reason the car was accidentally started in gear... I also don't think cruise control will work without it, which would be nice to still have.

[Dolphin18T]

Altitune Ryan?

That's the plan.

[dougyfresh]

Yeah, I've got a lot of it figured out already. I was just curious. Struggling with the Bentley diagrams is a chore.

Good job. Let me know if I can be of any help with the diagrams. They are pretty easy to read.

The harness or the VSS plug?

The whole harness.

Thanks for updating with pics. I think I'm going to try to wire in the clutch switch. I would kick myself if for some reason the car was accidentally started in gear...

Good luck. Vince was okay with no clutch pedal switch. My old Jeep Wrangler never had a clutch pedal switch. I'm used to no switch and the people that drive my car (my girlfriend, father and brother) are used to checking the shifter before starting the car anyway.

[Dolphin18T]

I'm trying to figure out the clutch pedal switch, but I think I'm looking at the wrong diagram for the tiptronic relay. I'm trying to find a diagram of that relay you removed from the 2004 tiptronic. Am I correct in assuming you jumped terminal 3 and 5 because 3 is to the starter and 5 is to the ignition? This seems to be the case on my manual tranny diagram, but on my tiptronic diagram terminal 3 is unused, and 5 goes to the reverse lights... I think this is wrong though.

Here is the diagram I have for the tiptronic:

. EDIT: It was wrong!

Here is the diagram I have for the manual:

[dougyfresh]

I'll try to remember to look at my notes on my home computer later tonight. I have a ton of stuff to catch up on that was put on hold for the past three days.

[Dolphin18T]

Turns out I was looking at the wrong diagram for the Tiptronic. They change the damn name of the relays depending on transmission/model. Not sure if there's a better way of doing it, but it was confusing me.

Here is the correct diagram for the Tiptronic needed to wire the clutch pedal switch:



Just to document this and make sure no one objects to what I think is the right way to do this, the clutch pedal switch needs to be wired to the brown/yellow wire coming from terminal 1 of the Starter Interlock Alarm System Relay and also to Ground 234. Not sure if this particular ground is necessary to avoid interference or if some other ground could be used though.

[mauromj]

Bump.

Has anyone figured out the manual speed sensor using the tip wiring harness? Ill be swapping an 01a in soon and am worried about getting this sensor to work so I dont have a 5k rev limit.

[walky_talky20]

On a B5 the plug is the same for the VSS for the Tip and 5-speed 01A. I should think this is the case for the B6 as well, but I'm not sure.

What exactly are you swapping into what? (Model years, transmission types, etc?).

[mauromj]

I am swapping a 2004 b6 AMB 01A Transmission into a 2002 b6 AMB TIP car.

[MikeWire]

Should plug right in. I don't remember having to do anything with the VSS when I did my swap other than plug it in. although, I have a B5 01A transmission mated to a B6 tail piece/center diff.

The only thing I had to mess with was the reverse switch, and since the connector was a bit different I used separate wire(s) from the engine harness to the reverse connector on the transmission, and the reverse lights work.

[Matt Devo]

I am swapping a 2004 b6 AMB 01A Transmission into a 2002 b6 AMB TIP car.

pretty sure 2004+ quattro B6's didn't come with the 01A (5-sp), rather the 02X (6-sp)

[mauromj]

Maybe it was an 03. Cant remember for sure, but I do know its an 01A.

[mauromj]

Unrelated, but does anyone know what issue's I will run into with the crank? Will the crank have to be modified or will I just have to install a modified pilot bearing?

[Waspjr]

Wicked info here guys thanks for all the experience :)


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[Waspjr]

Unrelated, but does anyone know what issue's I will run into with the crank? Will the crank have to be modified or will I just have to install a modified pilot bearing?

Walky has just discussed this in a recent thread about a amb cvt swap search it great info in there


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[SALWITDAB7]

I need help wiring my clutch switch on my B7 . I just did a swap& now im stuck

[walky_talky20]

EDIT: I found your post in the B7 forum.