An almost successful auto tranny to a manual conversion in my 03 VUE

[ukrilya]

Well, after my Vti tranny started giving me problems a few months ago, I set out to find a cure. Unfortunately all my efforts led to the grim fact that these transmissions were completely hopeless!! Even if I replaced my tranny with a used Vti, which runs close to $1500, I would be faced with similar issues just a couple of months down the road!! And of course there is no warranty or any effort from saturn to help us Vue owners out, so I set out to find one last permanent fix. And that was to convert the auto Vti to a 5-spd manual.

So I came across a rolled 2003 Vue that I purchased and decided to venture out and attempt this swap. After 4 grueling days, I had pulled the 5spd engine out of the parts car, and replaced my original auto/engine with the 5spd/engine. And of course I had to hook up the necessary components(clutch pedal etc...) Everything has been successful up until now. Everything is in its rightful place except when I start the car, I get the following lights. SES, Service, and Reduced Power. And also the speedometer does not work and the AC fan is on constantly.

Along with swapping the engine, I also swapped the appropriate BCM and ECM for the new 5-spd application. But for some reason the car would crank but would not start... the security light would flash! So I decided to try the original BCM and ECM that went with the original engine and Vti tranny. And of course that started the car up with the exception of the lights, and the fact that the car has "Reduced Power" Does the BCM and ECM have to be programmed and linked together?? And how come the 5-spd BCM and ECM would not start the car originally??

[ssicarman]

You will need to use the PCM (and perhaps the BCM) from the donor car to run the manual trans system. The likely reason that the car will not run is that the passlock in your car is not being reciognized by the differnet modules. Do search of the Board for the passlock relearn proceedure. It is the same for the differnet models. Do the relearn and see what happpens.

[Tom92SCm]

Did you get a set of keys with the rolled VUE? Shouldn't those work with the rolled VUE's BCM/ECM?

That's awesome that you ditched the VTi. That's honestly the best option for replacement for that crappy thing.

[ukrilya]

The PCM would be?? Is it the ECM (Attached to the Intake Manifold?) Unfortunately I didnt have any keys from the donor car...but Im not aware that these keys have any type of chips in them...

[fdryer]

Yours doesn't use chips in the keys. Yours simply uses the ignition switch assembly (Hall-effect sensors) as part of the Passlock anti-theft system that is communicating from the ignition switch assembly sensors to the body control module (BCM), in turn communicating to the engine control module (ECM) or powertrain control module (PCM) on other models, and the transmission control module (TCM). Yes, the ECM is the one mounted on the intake manifold. V6 3.0L engine? Each separate mini-computer must use the same password that's checked by the BCM before allowing the vehicle to start and run otherwise the security light flashes and basically sends you off to a corner of the room and sulk (long story about mine doing this to me involving an aftermarket remote starter) for ten minutes before allowing a re-start, if the security system is operating correctly. Doing a major engine/transmission swap incurs at the minimum retaining all the EFI electronics from the donor and a Passlock re-learn for the BCM to co-ordinate old ignition switch assembly with donor EFI systems or old EFI system and Passlock re-learn again from swapping EFI components around. All you did was to confuse the BCM and it displayed its displeasure by flashing the security light "I'm not at home right now so please leave a message otherwise Ta-Ta!?" No start. :upset:

[ukrilya]

Success!!! :yes:I replaced the ECM(or PCM) that went to with the 5-spd engine/tranny from the donor car and attempted the re-learn process. This process is explained if you search "programming theft deterrent system components" Its a 30-40 min process but it works!! Now the car runs without all the "christmas lights!"

So here is the automatic Vti transmission conversion to a manual transmission process in a nutshell

Basically the best thing to have when attempting a project of this sort is a donor car (wrecked 5-spd Vue, prefferably a roll over) Then remove both engines along with the transmissions throught the bottom of the car as opposed to pulling it straight out of the engine bay. It looks like it will come out straight through the top but looks can and will be decieving ;) The best thing is to disconnect everything and lower it along with the sub frame, lifting the car up...Then after you have this fun stuff out of the way you will have to start disassembling the dash and console to get to the clutch pedal assembly and the wire harness that will have to be swapped out aswell. Fortunately the harness unplugs right next to the drivers left foot under the rug. One of the trickiest parts is installing the clutch pedal assembly and hydraulic fluid reservoir. I suggest this installation is done with the engine still out :yes: Then all that is left to do is, reconnect everything (remembering not to forget anything), refill lost transmission fluid, and bleed the clutch. I left the original BCM. The last and final step is re-learn the ECM(or PCM) I hope im not forgeting anything but if there is someone out there as crazy as I am to try something like this and has a question or needs help...Im sure I will be able to give some helpful advise

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction guys!

[wlhawk]

Glad to hear it worked alright!:D

[Dante]

Wow, I am in awe! Mad props man.

What did you do with the huge pile of spare parts? Part it out and see if you could break even? :D

[ukrilya]

The rest of the parts are for sale! So if anyone needs body parts or even an engine with 95k on it... just send me an email at ukrilya@aol.com Hopefully in the end I will break even :D

[FGCA_XRL]

Now you need to take the used motor and turbo it to hell and back. :D

[xternal]

Cool, from some quick searches 2003-2005 has a lot of the same stuff! I already sent an email:D

[Ritz]

This post should get "sticky" status in the tech section. What a cool hack!

Cheers,