How to add an external range pnp switch to a transmission

Assuming your transmission has an external and you are swapping to a different year that may have an internal or you just want to do it.

The PNP switch, range selector switch is sometimes referred to as PRNDL switch.

There are 5 wires that need to be worked with, If you look at the back of your main transmission connector it is labeled A through W. Wires F through J are the range selector input wires.
Trans connector


And from the back where the letters are located. The letters are small, be prepared to clean the back of this and look closely


Letters F through J are the ones you want. They should be the middle 4 (of 6) on the third row down. (My picture is of the transmission side, the letters are backwards on this picture.)


You will connect these four wires to a connector of an external range switch. Here is a picture of an external switch.


And the four pin connector and the place it connects on the range switch.




From the main trans connector
1. Connect wire F which is red with a black trace to wire D on the four pin connector that is black with a white trace.
2. Connect wire G which is dark green with a white trace to wire B on the four pin connector that is yellow.
3. Connect wire H which is yellow with a black trace to wire C on the four pin connector that is gray.
4. Connect wire J which is gray with a white trace to wire D on the four pin connector that is white.

Then connect a ground to pin D of the external range switch (larger) connector. On the 2000+ Bonnevilles there is a ground pack next to the shifter linkage on the transmission that could be tapped into for this connection.




Intall an external range switch on your transmission by removing the 15mm nut holding the selector arm onto the transmission.
Nut on selector lever


Nut removed


Lift selector lever out of way


Put switch on trans


For this to work properly there is a dot on the inner collar by the selector shaft of the trans that must be lined up with a line on the body of the external switch. Dot is being pointed to in the picture


Once these are lined up. Put in the two bolts and tighten. Put the selector arm back in place and the nut that holds it to the shaft, tighten the nut. Connect your two new external range selector connectors and the main trans connector. Turn the car ignition switch to on and review the dash to see that the gear selection is now appearing.

Easy

Here ya go.
http://www.grandprixforums.net/how-add-external-range-pnp-switch-transmission-49297.html#post603434

Ready for a huge bump?

So I did the mod today and hooked the switch up to my 04 and it works like a champ according to the DIC.
Now the next part of the transmission is.... Should I put the 01 harness in my 01 trans or run the 04 harness in the trans?

The question may be answered for you based on things like the pcs and pressure sensor connectors. If those are equal...

Heck I dunno.

Ok, dumb question of the day approaching. What exactly does this do???

The pcm/safety switches that keep the engine from cranking over, need to know the car is in park or neutral in order to let the starter engage. This switch whether internal or external do that. They also display it on your dash.

In some cases the internal switches go bad. When that happens, the trans would likely be pulled etc to fix the problem. Instead we have the ability to put an external switch on.

Bill, it appears that my Regal is different from the Bonne. My 7 pin connector only has 4 slots used. the B, C, and F connectors are blank. Trying to find this connector in my manual, but can't find it yet. I'm really getting frustrated. I unplugged that connector, but it did not make a difference. I may need to recruit a buddy that works somewhere with a tool so that I can test the BDM signals. It seems that would help me narrow down the issue. Either the BCM, or which leg of the connector is having the issue. If there was an icon of someone pulling their hair out, I would insert it here.

Ok, lookup that connector in your Regal FSM. I don't have the FSM's with me. What's it say.

BillBoost37 said:

Ok, lookup that connector in your Regal FSM. I don't have the FSM's with me. What's it say.

Click to expand...

IDK, I'm really starting to hate these manuals. Can't find anything. It's in here, but the organization and table of contents/index sucks.

go to wiring, find the trans section of it

Once you get an idea of where things are you are golden.

Thanks for the info. Hoping I have a bad starter due to nearly 200k mi., but will fall back on this if not. Holding it in the start position and switching from P to N don't seem to get it. Is the external switch wired in from inside the car, under the hood, or from the bottom via lift?

I find under the hood is easiest.

BillBoost37 said:

I find under the hood is easiest.

Click to expand...

Awesome, do your pics still exist anywhere or? Having the starter replaced today, but with my luck that won't end up getting it and I will still have to source an external module and wire it up. I can order one from an 02 Grand Prix correct?

When you say do I have the pics anywhere.. if you don't see them in this thread, you have some settings issues. I see them in this thread.

If an 02 has one.. I think 97-03 gp does..but confirm it. or snag one at a junkyard.

in this pic is the switch and its plug, the lever is where the shift cable snaps on, if thats broken the shifter clicks into its spot to be in gear, but the cable fails to pull the lever.

you can find this spot on the tranny under the master cylinder.






on the car. you can just make out the shine on the nut that holds the shift lever the cable hooks to. far right under the master. close to the fire wall.

Thanks, you guys are awesome. I should have tried to link in IE or Chrome, currently using FF and its not displaying the pics. Regardless, I lucked out this time and it was the starter after all. The gauges would sweep, the fuel pump was on, the relays would click, and there was an obvious solenoid like click coming from the driver's side rear of the upper intake manifold AND down at the starter itself as if it was moving out to engage the teeth, but the starter motor itself wouldn't move. It did this once last week and all it took was moving the selector to N so I figured a flaky module, but I guess it was just the start letting us know it was on its way out. Thanks again.

starter is a easy fix. better then messing with cables and switches.

ZOMBIE THREAD!!!
Hey so the Impala and Monte are different in wiring...of course.

If I'm reading the attachment correct the highlighted items should be what I need correct?

btw ms paint ftw!!!
:th_laugh-pointup::th_laugh-pointup::th_laugh-pointup:

7 Pin Connector

Bill,

Hoping you are still available. I am confused about the wiring for the 7 pin connector on the PRNDL switch. Where do you pick up the wires for it? Do you have to run them from somewhere or are they already there? Or do you just wire it to ground and forget the rest?