E36 328 Manual Conversion - ECU Thinks It's An Auto

sammcj · 06-12-2010, 12:45 AM

Hi,

We've done a Auto ZF to Manual (Gertrag 260) conversion on my 96' 328i coupe.

The ECU still thinks it's an auto and I can't find anyone around that can reprogram it.

Can I just remove the transmission controller? and if so, where on earth is it?

Symptoms: Holding rev's between gears and 650RPM 'automatic' idle.

shogun · 06-12-2010, 07:04 AM

go to my website below, on left side lots of DIY>>other DIY links>>Gale.
He has done a conversion on an E32 735, very detailed description.

I have done it on an E32 750 M70 V12.
You have to trick the trans computer that it still believes it has a transmission, grounding pins.

Or go to BimmerBoard BMW Forums and the world's best online BMW community. Sharing the knowledge! E32 forum, there was someone with an E30 who installed an M70 engine with a manual gear, he had the same problem, search for E30 semi racer there.
I gave hin the details on the M70 engine, but I have no wiring diagrams for the E36.
Search there on the E32 forum with the nickname
henrike30
and restrict the search to posts with pics
then you find it.

sammcj · 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shogun

go to my website below, on left side lots of DIY>>other DIY links>>Gale.

Hi,

Thanks

I'm having at look at Gale's page and I find the conversion? - Gale's Page - is that correct?

As for the other site I found the post, but it doesn't actually say what the fix was, there is mention of grounding " 51 and 54 or 64 and 63" but there are two problems:

1) I can't find the damn transmission computer
2) I don't want to go grounding anything unless I know it won't blow anything up.

shogun · 06-12-2010, 02:41 PM

what to ground is mentioned there, depends on the part number of the trans unit, 51, 54 or 64 , 63. So what has been grounded you can find out from the online ETM's of the corresponding production year on these 7 series E32 which you find here
E32 (1987 to 1993 7 Series) Wiring Diagrams
So from that you can see what has been grounded.
Usually the ETM's also have component location drawings.

check here if you find the ETM for your model
Free Phone System Manuals Voice Communications 800 593-6000
On my E32 750 the trans computer is inside the cabin, passenger side behind the speaker in the footwell, a bit upwards. In other cars it is inside the e-box in the engine room.
I am not so familiar with your model, so I can only tell you what was done on E32.

sammcj · 06-12-2010, 03:09 PM

Thanks again,

It's not behind the glove box I've checked there.
In the engine bay, the fuse box seems to be covering where the ecu etc should be located, easy to remove?

shogun · 06-12-2010, 05:47 PM

I can only tell you how it is on the E32 and E34. In the right corner close to the windshield in engine room there is the e-box. There are 4 screws which hold the cover. Thereunder are
in my 750
Motrononik1>EML>Motronic2>and the ABS control module. The transmission contro, module is right side /passenger side in the footwell behind the speaker
http://www.gebrauchtee32teile.de/assets/images/modulgetriebe.jpg
but again, that is E32 and E34.
If you do such changes on a car, I would buy a Bentley Repair Manual with all the wiring diagrams and drawings where the parts are.
And that is where I found where the transmission module is located in my E36 M3 02/1998:

Under the right side of dash you will not find it, there are

SRS control module (thru 1993)
ABS/ASC+T control module
central locking module thru 1993
anti theft alarm module or ZKE IV control module from 1994
rear window blower relay (convertible)
horn relay
wiper/washer module
rear power window relay
trunk lid lock relay
cruise control module
EWS II control module from 1995
RSP: right splice panel

Page 610-18 of the E36 Bentley Manual says
transmission control module>>>1992-1998>>location: right rear compartment behind panel

and figure 8.

And that is exactly the same place where the Motronik is in my car = in engine room right side.
In that e-box is the engine control module and auto transmission control module.
It is called engine control/auto transmission module compartment.

shogun · 06-12-2010, 05:52 PM

BTW, it looks to me that you have never really checked my links, here is the component location information it is clearly mentiond and shown
http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/1996%20BMW%20318is-c%20-%20320i%20-%20325i-c%20-%20328i-c%20%20Electrical%20Troubleshooting%20Manual.pdf

But of course you have to study the 502 pages!

sammcj · 08:24 PM

I did look at the PDF's actually, but I can't figure out which two wires to earth, also a little confused as to where you actually earth them, you can really do it in the ECU plug, so it must be done in the plug that was going to the Transmission control unit but none of those pin-outs seem to relate to what needs to be done? (should I be looking for something like torque reduction signal?)

sammcj · 06-14-2010, 04:58 AM

We're currently trying to find the ROM images for a 96' 328 manual, I have a guy with a programmer on standby if I find one.

Problem is, in New Zealand there are absolutely no e36 manual 328 ECU's, I've rung every wrecker in the Country today pretty much all of them have said things like 'yeah right, good luck with that!' so the ROM image might be the only option.

sammcj · 09:10 PM

Well, what can I say... We've done it! - We've finally figured out how to properly reflash the ECU/DME to a manual.

If you simply reflash your ECU/DME to a part number from a manual, the ZCS coding values stored in the EWS will cause your ECU/DME to think the automatic box is still installed!

To fix this, you need to change the GM code stored in the EWS.

Due to the lack of solid documentation available for BMW Auto to Manual Programming, My friend and I have documented the process to make sure others don't have to go through the stress we did!

EDIT: Updated version of the document here:

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AaUN4XDuttIfZGZwN2Q0ZDJfNDM3bTk2Yzl4Zg&hl=en

If the link goes down, get hold of me and I will repost it as I probably won't be needing to check this thread any longer.

Did I notice a difference?... YES

-At first the car will not be that zippy at first, as it has to relearn its adaptation values.

-Once the car is warm, the idle speed will drop from the automatic 650-700RPM to 500-550RPM manual setting.

-When changing gears you will notice the rev’s drop a lot faster between gear changes (if you have a lightened flywheel you revs may still rise 200RPM~ at times.)

-I’m not 100% sure on this one as I’ve only just done it, but I’m pretty sure the car actually feels a bit peppier at the top-end also, mine actually seems to sound a bit deeper when applying rev’s!

shogun · 01-14-2012, 04:26 PM

very nice write up, thanks.
Will help a lot of other doing the same.

erframirez · 07-26-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammcj

Well, what can I say... We've done it! - We've finally figured out how to properly reflash the ECU/DME to a manual.

If you simply reflash your ECU/DME to a part number from a manual, the ZCS coding values stored in the EWS will cause your ECU/DME to think the automatic box is still installed!

To fix this, you need to change the GM code stored in the EWS.

Due to the lack of solid documentation available for BMW Auto to Manual Programming, My friend and I have documented the process to make sure others don't have to go through the stress we did!

EDIT: Updated version of the document here:

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AaUN4XDuttIfZGZwN2Q0ZDJfNDM3bTk2Yzl4Zg&hl=en

If the link goes down, get hold of me and I will repost it as I probably won't be needing to check this thread any longer.

Did I notice a difference?... YES

-At first the car will not be that zippy at first, as it has to relearn its adaptation values.

-Once the car is warm, the idle speed will drop from the automatic 650-700RPM to 500-550RPM manual setting.

-When changing gears you will notice the rev’s drop a lot faster between gear changes (if you have a lightened flywheel you revs may still rise 200RPM~ at times.)

-I’m not 100% sure on this one as I’ve only just done it, but I’m pretty sure the car actually feels a bit peppier at the top-end also, mine actually seems to sound a bit deeper when applying rev’s!

__________________________________________________ ______

AS YOU SAID, link is broken.....

Would you share with me your documentation please??.... I have the opposite problem .... My car thinks it´s manual.... it´s an e36´98 I'm finally restoring after 5 years of abandonment and 1 divorce.. jejeje

Techs from BMW just had to replace the EWS II and made mess... I had to brought my own head, Progman and GT1 in order to learn and fix the situation...

Yesterday I finally got all systems up but traction control and Kombi beleive they are manual... my idle is at 550 rpm, have hard shifting and even ABS is working well ASC+T is not...

Thanks for your help in advance....

erframirez · 07-26-2012, 06:59 PM

Hello Sammcj,

You were right about the broken link...

Do you feel you can share it again please?... I have the opposite problem... Need to tell my E36 '98 he´s a AT instead MT..

I have a mess since BMW replaced my EWS II which by the way now thinks it´s a EWS III!!

Thanks in advance..