Howto install a shiftlight in a Matrix/Vibe

[Cobalt_amg]

Finally got my shift light in and working after trying to find the tach wire for a day. The one listed in the wiring diagram is nowhere to be found near the ecu, so I had to look around. anyway , this is how I installed my proform shiftlight. I installed the proform one becuase u can dial in the rpm setting rather than have to pay 25 bucks for autometer pills. I mounted the shift light next to the a-pillar and ran all three wires between it and the dash. I found a nice ground and wired the power into the defroster power. I used a meter to make sure it was +12V and only comes on with the ignition. I ran the tach wire across the gauge cluster (behind the cluster display) over the stereo area and down the gap between the passenger and drivers seat where the sunglass holder is located(behind).(thanks to ragecyr's instructions). Dont worry if you cant find it, I am going to post pics later. I then spliced into the black wire on the leftmost plug on the ecu. Dont bother cutting all the electrical tape wrapping the wires, you will just have to tape them back up. Set the RPM and there ya go! I have to give a nice thanks to ragecyr for all his help and diagrams!!

[Cobalt_amg]

It is to tell you when to shift. I auto-cross and when you have a helmet you cant hear and dont have time to look at your tach, you need it to tell you when to shift.

[Flip-Side]

This sounds useful when you cant hear the revs or cant see the gauges, but GM used shift lights in a lot of their vehicled without tachs and I hated em. Sounds useful for racing though.

[Cobalt_amg]

quote:Ok...I understand for these purposes but believe me I want to keep my Vibe, I won't go racing in the bush with it...On a street usage, I don't see the utility of a shift light.... If you don't know when to shift, you should spend some time practicing you manual tranny driving before doing anything else!!!There really isnt a "street usage" other than if you dont know how to drive stick for some reason and need to know when to shift. I turn it off when I am not at the track, because it can be kind of annoying when you are driving around normally.

[Chris]

Hey, that's pretty cool! At first I thought.. that's dumb, just another flashy light someone's putting in their car, but I guess you do need it when wearing a helmet and racing! It's probably pretty easy to over rev when autocrossing.Thanks for the posts, I'm learning a lot about different kinds of performance items.happy racing!

[Cobalt_amg]

quote:Hey, that's pretty cool! At first I thought.. that's dumb, just another flashy light someone's putting in their car, but I guess you do need it when wearing a helmet and racing! It's probably pretty easy to over rev when autocrossing.Thanks for the posts, I'm learning a lot about different kinds of performance items.happy racing!Yeah it is kinda dumb to have just cruising around with, but regards to autocrossing, the more you can concentrate on the track rather then trying to hear and look when to shift, the better times you post. I probably gained a tenth or two just from the light.Thanks for the encouragment!

[Cubanpete]

For shifting in general, You really dont need instrumentation as after a week or so you should be able to "feel" the change and shift"naturally"