BMW SMG to Manual Swap (Fix Cruise Control)
Updated: Jan 9
To properly enable cruise control, the SMG to manual gearbox conversion on a BMW requires a few more steps.
I will walk you through the steps necessary to reactivate your cruise control. The procedures are simple, requiring only a few electrical connections and reprogramming.
Make a closed circuit and remove the temperature sensor
Identifying connections and wiring
Connect the oil temperature sensor to the gear selection switch and test it
Check that pin 2 is receiving ground
Programming in the manual mode
Program the DME
This article will discuss converting from SMG to manual swap and having problems with the cruise control. It's a basic wiring schematic that I'll show you.
Table of Contents:
Remove the SMG Temperature Sensor & Create a Closed Circuit
On the SMG, the temperature sensor will be in the bell housing, which is no longer utilised on manual gearboxes.
There is a harness that will be utilised for the gear selection switch; just unhook it since this wire was previously connected to the SMG module.
If the conversion is already complete, the SMG module will be disconnected. Install the holder into the back of the transmission, you should have a plug hanging from it.
As a result, you'll attach the loose connection to the gear selector switch socket. Remove the plastic guide to ensure correct connection.
For testing reasons, we leave it open but attach a piece of wire by simply inserting it into the connection to establish a closed circuit.
Identifying Connections & Wiring
So we need to figure out which wire to utilise. Below is the only wiring schematic you'll need.
This is an SMG wiring diagram, and you can see that you have a transmission fluid temperature sensor, connector x5238.
We need to verify the continuity test on the connection where you created a closed circuit. Ensure that leg 13 and pin 31 are connected in a closed circuit.
One will be attached to the DME pin number 20, connector number X60002, and the other to the clutch switch pin number 20, connector number S805.
For the time being, we only need to use two cables. On the SMG module, we must identify the connector X53004.
Simply pull the tabs up and slide the connection out, then repeat the process on the opposite side.
A variety of wires will be connected to pin number 31. BMW uses them to connect several grounds to a single circuit.
We're no longer using the SMG module, so you don't have to worry about identifying the correct wire; just remove it.
We need to find out which one will be pin number 31, therefore we'll use pin number 13 to test the continuity.
You can use a needle to remove it or a snap-on pin remover tool. You only need to unlock it, push it down, and pull it out.
It will be attached to DME pin 20 and connector x60002.
Evaluate the relation between 13 and 31. You should have a closed circuit since you attached a wire to the oil temperature sensor connection.
Connect the Oil Temperature Sensor to the Gear Selection Switch
Connect the oil temperature connection to the gear selection switch and test its functionality by changing gears in the vehicle to confirm it is operational.
If you discover anything isn't quite right, you know where to look; your selector switch is most likely not correctly placed.
Check That Pin 2 Is Receiving Ground
Make sure you have a strong ground from the pin connection number 2 on the gear clutch switch, which should be on your clutch pedal.
There are four pins in there, and we'll pull the wire from pin number two through the panel and to the electrical box.
If everything is correctly linked, you should have ground when the car is switched on but as we depress the clutch, you should lose ground.
This cable will link to the transmission's gear position switch and then back to the DME, where the gear selector switch will be connected, and it will only open in a closed circuit.
If you put the car in neutral and lose ground, or depress the clutch and lose ground, this consistent ground will be interrupted.
You lose ground when you depress the clutch or shift into neutral.
We now have pin 13 from the SMG module, which we will connect straight to the DME connection x60002 so that the cruise control can function.
Remove this connector, open it up, and the pin number 20 on SMG will be unoccupied, revealing 19 to 24.
The SMG module's pin 13 already has a pin, so all you have to do is insert it all the way, make sure it clicks, and it locks in place.
Being careful is necessary while reconnecting the DME since it is very simple to use the grey SMG connector and insert SMG into the DME.
DME connectors are black
SMG connectors are grey
The final wire that comes from pin number 2 of the clutch switch and the wire that we verified that leads to the gear selector switch.
You may now test using DME pin number 20.
If there is no ground while the vehicle is running, you have a software problem and should try flashing it with an alternative program number.
You will have a ground if the car is in gear; if the vehicle is in neutral or you depress the clutch, you will lose the ground.
Programming DME Into Manual Mode
When it comes to coding and programming, there is a lot of software you can use, however auto logic is the suggested software.
You may use their program to convert from auto to manual mode.
Make sure you follow the instructions and take a photo of the basic number program numbers since you will need them later.
Auto logic will provide you with the new program number, so make a note of it.
Return to the main screen, go to code, display vehicle order, click next, and then delete. Previously, we had choice 206, which was SMG.
Nothing changed on the car until it was actually coded, even if you deleted it from the vehicle order.
Follow this process: Code > EWS > LSZ > Instrument Cluster > ABD > ZKE
The last step is to program using DME, which will search for the SMG module until you program into the right manual transmission.
Enter your VM number, click ok, reinstall the control unit, and save your original numbers.
If you do it manually, I suggest contacting Auto Logic and giving them your pin number, as well as asking them the basic order of the program number you'll need for the car.
To convert it to a manual transmission, click next on update controller unit, double-check the number, click next, enter your program number, and go through programming vehicle using the program number you have.
After you've finished programming, go to the drive immobiliser coding information and change it to manual.
After that, test the cruise control works as it should.