Moving the sport/economy button on an autobox

beededea · 26th May 2016, 09:09

My connie auto has that auto/sport button by the side of the auto gear lever.

I find it badly placed being as it is on the wrong side of the lever, as a result it is quite difficult to select especially when driving.

On my old Spittie a similar on/off switch for the overdrive was fitted to the top of the gear lever in easy reach.

The effect of the two switches is not too dissimilar, each gave control to the gearing and there was a resulting change in performance.

I would really like to move the switch to the top of the gear lever in a similar fashion. I imagine an overdrive-style switch would take too much space given that there is a gear lever release catch built into the standard auto gear lever but a micro switch might fit.

Has anyone made such a change? Could an auto box lever with a switch built in be made to fit? probably... Just need to tidy and protect the wiring.

Any thoughts please - positive ones only required!

dadragon · 26th May 2016, 10:06

beededea, I completely agree with it's "useless" location, fine if your car is a left hooker. I have considered moving mine to the right. I was going to move the hazard switch into the middle of the switch panel inbetween my Rear blind and cruise control button, then move the sports switch into the hole vacated by the hazard switch. You would have to make sure the wiring is long enough, or just extend it. The hole left where the sports switch was could be covered with walnut wrap or a Rover badge. It was an idea that never got off the ground but I may consider it one day. I don't fancy messing with the auto gear lever though, that's way too much hassle. Anyway the hazard switch is a pain where that is as i'm always leaning on it and activating the hazards, so kill two birds with one stone as they say!!

Regards DaDragon (Roger)

Lord of Hog · 26th May 2016, 10:19

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=177209

If you're looking to move your hazard switch this one might be useful

rrobson · 26th May 2016, 11:58

It could be done quite easily. The sport / snow / eco button is nothing more than three micro switches. So if you piggy backed the button and wired up three small switches you could put them anywhere and still leave the old buttons where they are. That way you wouldn't have a hole in your surround.

I don't think you'd need to change the lever either, if you were clever you could probably conceal them somewhere on it if you used small switches.

I find I don't use the buttons though, the changes in my car happen as soon as I plant my foot and if I want to use the gears I'll just use the selector.

Don't think I've ever used snow mode either...

dadragon · 26th May 2016, 12:29

Lord of Hog, Yes I've seen that link , thanks, I would only move the hazzars though not the locking/ unlocking switch.
Regards DaDragon

dadragon · 26th May 2016, 12:30

rrobson, I must admit I rarely use it but i must admit it is in a daft place, as for the snow mode, I have used it and it really does work!!!!
Regards DaDragon

beededea · 26th May 2016, 13:56

OK, I'm now fired up to do it, I need to find a two way microswitch so that I can move the sports/economy mode function and leave the snow function where it is. Does anyone have a wiring diagram to identify the wire colours.

I'll also need an auto gear lever to start cutting up.

beededea · 26th May 2016, 18:31

There is the easy Jake.

http://easyjake.com/product/easyjake-unit/

Then there is the PM152 Automatic Shift Knob with Overdrive

http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...-152/overview/

http://www.car-lab.com/shift-knob-sw...utton-red-led/

http://www.ldpart.co.uk/shop/shop.ph...sid=sidd6fb2..

http://www.bighealey.co.uk/gearknob-...switch-cels123

These are not all auto knobs and some are worse than others but it shows it can be done. The o/d auto gear selector from summit seems the best though it isn't the prettiest.

tourer · 26th May 2016, 18:33

Is it really that hard to use for the once in a blue moon that it is used?

beededea · 26th May 2016, 18:34

Sorry don't need that sort of comment - if you want to help please do.

Otherwise please don't bother.

26th May 2016, 09:09	#1
beededea Regular poster 75 connie tourer, MGZT-T Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Aylsham Posts: 99 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Moving the sport/economy button on an autobox My connie auto has that auto/sport button by the side of the auto gear lever. I find it badly placed being as it is on the wrong side of the lever, as a result it is quite difficult to select especially when driving. On my old Spittie a similar on/off switch for the overdrive was fitted to the top of the gear lever in easy reach. The effect of the two switches is not too dissimilar, each gave control to the gearing and there was a resulting change in performance. I would really like to move the switch to the top of the gear lever in a similar fashion. I imagine an overdrive-style switch would take too much space given that there is a gear lever release catch built into the standard auto gear lever but a micro switch might fit. Has anyone made such a change? Could an auto box lever with a switch built in be made to fit? probably... Just need to tidy and protect the wiring. Any thoughts please - positive ones only required!

26th May 2016, 10:19	#3
Lord of Hog Gets stuck in Rover 75 2.5 V6 in Wedgwood Blue Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Felbridge, East Grinstead Posts: 982 Thanks: 250 Thanked 294 Times in 206 Posts	http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=177209 If you're looking to move your hazard switch this one might be useful __________________ Conformity is not morality. Consensus is not truth.

26th May 2016, 11:58	#4
rrobson I really should get out more....... 75 tourer cdti, MG ZS 180, nissan terrano & 1.8t rover 25 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pontefract Posts: 2,643 Thanks: 17 Thanked 295 Times in 218 Posts	It could be done quite easily. The sport / snow / eco button is nothing more than three micro switches. So if you piggy backed the button and wired up three small switches you could put them anywhere and still leave the old buttons where they are. That way you wouldn't have a hole in your surround. I don't think you'd need to change the lever either, if you were clever you could probably conceal them somewhere on it if you used small switches. I find I don't use the buttons though, the changes in my car happen as soon as I plant my foot and if I want to use the gears I'll just use the selector. Don't think I've ever used snow mode either... __________________ How to view a car - everything you need to help you inspect a used car VIS motor tester avalible to local members Injector removal tool and auto gearbox pressure tester now available

26th May 2016, 18:31	#8
beededea Regular poster 75 connie tourer, MGZT-T Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Aylsham Posts: 99 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	There is the easy Jake. http://easyjake.com/product/easyjake-unit/ Then there is the PM152 Automatic Shift Knob with Overdrive http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...-152/overview/ http://www.car-lab.com/shift-knob-sw...utton-red-led/ http://www.ldpart.co.uk/shop/shop.ph...sid=sidd6fb2.. http://www.bighealey.co.uk/gearknob-...switch-cels123 These are not all auto knobs and some are worse than others but it shows it can be done. The o/d auto gear selector from summit seems the best though it isn't the prettiest. Last edited by beededea; 26th May 2016 at 18:34..

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26th May 2016, 10:06	#2
dadragon Gets stuck in Jaguar 3 litre sport. (Lee) Rover 75 Connoisseur T4'd (Roger) Rover 75 Connoisseur SE (Gaynor) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wilmslow Posts: 691 Thanks: 194 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts	beededea, I completely agree with it's "useless" location, fine if your car is a left hooker. I have considered moving mine to the right. I was going to move the hazard switch into the middle of the switch panel inbetween my Rear blind and cruise control button, then move the sports switch into the hole vacated by the hazard switch. You would have to make sure the wiring is long enough, or just extend it. The hole left where the sports switch was could be covered with walnut wrap or a Rover badge. It was an idea that never got off the ground but I may consider it one day. I don't fancy messing with the auto gear lever though, that's way too much hassle. Anyway the hazard switch is a pain where that is as i'm always leaning on it and activating the hazards, so kill two birds with one stone as they say!! Regards DaDragon (Roger)

26th May 2016, 12:29	#5
dadragon Gets stuck in Jaguar 3 litre sport. (Lee) Rover 75 Connoisseur T4'd (Roger) Rover 75 Connoisseur SE (Gaynor) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wilmslow Posts: 691 Thanks: 194 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts	Lord of Hog, Yes I've seen that link , thanks, I would only move the hazzars though not the locking/ unlocking switch. Regards DaDragon

26th May 2016, 12:30	#6
dadragon Gets stuck in Jaguar 3 litre sport. (Lee) Rover 75 Connoisseur T4'd (Roger) Rover 75 Connoisseur SE (Gaynor) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wilmslow Posts: 691 Thanks: 194 Thanked 142 Times in 121 Posts	rrobson, I must admit I rarely use it but i must admit it is in a daft place, as for the snow mode, I have used it and it really does work!!!! Regards DaDragon

26th May 2016, 13:56	#7
beededea Regular poster 75 connie tourer, MGZT-T Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Aylsham Posts: 99 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	OK, I'm now fired up to do it, I need to find a two way microswitch so that I can move the sports/economy mode function and leave the snow function where it is. Does anyone have a wiring diagram to identify the wire colours. I'll also need an auto gear lever to start cutting up.

26th May 2016, 18:33	#9
tourer Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer CDT Auto. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Long Eaton Posts: 1,342 Thanks: 30 Thanked 220 Times in 160 Posts	Is it really that hard to use for the once in a blue moon that it is used?

26th May 2016, 18:34	#10
beededea Regular poster 75 connie tourer, MGZT-T Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Aylsham Posts: 99 Thanks: 9 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Sorry don't need that sort of comment - if you want to help please do. Otherwise please don't bother.