E36 m3 auto to manual swap failed smog?

[m3f_EurAutoJunction]

So I took my e36 m3 to get smog and the computer failed it. It passed everything except two codes for the automatic transmission. The car is no longer an automatic and there are no check engine light on. With an obd2 scanner the codes do show up on the scanner. How can I clear the codes?

I checked and there is a s52 manual DME installed.


I contacted the previous owner and he told me how his tech did it. He told me his tech cleared the codes (not through the obd2 port) with an old school bmw tool through the engine bay port. He say do not turn the car off once the codes has been cleared and go straight to the smog shop. I want to know if I can just unplug the automatic computer for the smog test and plug it back in once i'm done. Or are there any other way to get rid of the codes with a reprogram dme? I have one free retest so i'm trying to get it figured out.





By the way, my e36 m3 have a m50 manifold w/ the turner adapter kit. Just for future reference if anyone want to know if a m50 manifold on s52/m52 will pass smog or not.

[m3f_gpeterson]

Sounds like your DME is running an auto flash, should be able to flash to manual and unplug/remove the trans module. Looks like you are in Sacramento, I'm in the area and may be able to help.


The M50 manifold is very unlikely to cause an issue, looks like you passed the visual inspection.

[m3f_Tove]

Seems like a simple fix.

[m3f_Baby ///M3]

I converted my M3 from auto to a six-speed manual. I also have a M50 manifold on my supercharged/aftercooled S52.



This setup shouldn't cause any issues with passing the smog. I am in CA so the same standard applies to both of us.



Hope it's a simple fix for you.



Jon

[m3f_Bimma360]

Here is my experience. Hope its helpful.


I too have a converted auto to manual. The DME was fully flashed to manual, no check engine light, no ABS/ASC issues, automatic computer still plugged in.


Its been a few years now, but if I remember correctly I THINK you need to have that automatic computer plugged in order for ABS and/or ASC to function.


Regardless, when I had my car inspected the very next time after the swap it failed b/c it threw two automatic trans related fault codes. Keep in mind the check engine light was not illuminated (but was in working order). I ended up removing the chip in the automatic computer (it just pops out, you can buy performance versions from Dinan, etc.), reset the DME for good measure, and that fixed my issue for good. No more auto trans related codes.


I can't knowledgeably tell you what the definitive issue is. Perhaps the trans computer with the chip in place is still looking for an auto trans, and throws the codes, but the DME (now flashed to Manual) doesn't know to throw a check engine light. Like I said its been a while, but I do recall reading that when you do the swap WITHOUT flashing the DME to manual, you need to remove that chip or you'll get a check engine light. So it kind of makes sense to me that even with the DME flashed, if that chip isn't removed it would still throw a code in the background.


Edit: OR the auto trans chip also stores auto related codes, and the codes I had in there were old codes from when my car was still auto, and for whatever reason they can't be flashed out after you reprogram the DME. My auto trans started acting up before I did the swap.


I'll bet you $10 taking that chip out fixes your issues. The car, at least mine does, functions just like it should in all aspects.

[m3f_kevinwilly]

If you have a manual DME and you haven't recoded your EWS module to be a manual, it'll do this.


You need to find someone that can do coding. You SHOULD be able to do it with a GT1. You can definitely do it with NCSexpert. Then reset your DME adaptations and you should be good to go.

[m3f_EurAutoJunction]

Here is my experience. Hope its helpful.



I too have a converted auto to manual. The DME was fully flashed to manual, no check engine light, no ABS/ASC issues, automatic computer still plugged in.



Its been a few years now, but if I remember correctly I THINK you need to have that automatic computer plugged in order for ABS and/or ASC to function.



Regardless, when I had my car inspected the very next time after the swap it failed b/c it threw two automatic trans related fault codes. Keep in mind the check engine light was not illuminated (but was in working order). I ended up removing the chip in the automatic computer (it just pops out, you can buy performance versions from Dinan, etc.), reset the DME for good measure, and that fixed my issue for good. No more auto trans related codes.



I can't knowledgeably tell you what the definitive issue is. Perhaps the trans computer with the chip in place is still looking for an auto trans, and throws the codes, but the DME (now flashed to Manual) doesn't know to throw a check engine light. Like I said its been a while, but I do recall reading that when you do the swap WITHOUT flashing the DME to manual, you need to remove that chip or you'll get a check engine light. So it kind of makes sense to me that even with the DME flashed, if that chip isn't removed it would still throw a code in the background.



Edit: OR the auto trans chip also stores auto related codes, and the codes I had in there were old codes from when my car was still auto, and for whatever reason they can't be flashed out after you reprogram the DME. My auto trans started acting up before I did the swap.



I'll bet you $10 taking that chip out fixes your issues. The car, at least mine does, functions just like it should in all aspects.

Your problem sound very similar to mine. The engine light is in working order and no check engine/abs/acs light on, but the two automatic tranny codes are stored in the system somehow. Last time I scanned the computer for codes and these two auto trans codes showed up. I had it cleared with the snap on tool. I'll take out the trans chip out this weekend and hope that get rid of the codes. How do you reset the DME?

If you have a manual DME and you haven't recoded your EWS module to be a manual, it'll do this.



You need to find someone that can do coding. You SHOULD be able to do it with a GT1. You can definitely do it with NCSexpert. Then reset your DME adaptations and you should be good to go.

If the ews has been deleted from the dme, do I still need to recode the ews module to a manual?

[m3f_EurAutoJunction]

I converted my M3 from auto to a six-speed manual. I also have a M50 manifold on my supercharged/aftercooled S52.



This setup shouldn't cause any issues with passing the smog. I am in CA so the same standard applies to both of us.



Hope it's a simple fix for you.



Jon

yeah, I was talking about passing the tailpipe test. Some people worried a m50 manifold on a m52/s52 might not pass CA smog test, so I was just referring it to that. If it wasn't for the two auto trans codes, i'll be passing with flying color. As you can see in the photo, it had no problem passing the tailpipe test and it is quite clean for a car of this aged.

[m3f_EurAutoJunction]

Sounds like your DME is running an auto flash, should be able to flash to manual and unplug/remove the trans module. Looks like you are in Sacramento, I'm in the area and may be able to help.


The M50 manifold is very unlikely to cause an issue, looks like you passed the visual inspection.

I don't think it has an automatic flash. The rpm doesn't hang between shift.

I'll contact you if removing the auto trans chip doesn't work out. Thank you.

[m3f_Bimma360]

Your problem sound very similar to mine. The engine light is in working order and no check engine/abs/acs light on, but the two automatic tranny codes are stored in the system somehow. Last time I scanned the computer for codes and these two auto trans codes showed up. I had it cleared with the snap on tool. I'll take out the trans chip out this weekend and hope that get rid of the codes. How do you reset the DME?

Sorry, by reseting the DME I meant simply clearing the codes. I have a peak tool that reads codes, and has the ability to clear codes (what I call reset - haha grew up on Nintendo and Sega Genesis).

[m3f_kevinwilly]

You keep saying transmission chip. Not sure what you mean. There's the EGS module- you'll DEFINITELY need to unplug that or it will throw codes for sure.

[m3f_Bimma360]

You keep saying transmission chip. Not sure what you mean. There's the EGS module- you'll DEFINITELY need to unplug that or it will throw codes for sure.

The automatic transmission cars have an automatic transmission computer (TCM, TCU, whatever you want to call it). It sits in the same cubby as the DME. Once you open up the TCM, there is a removable chip. Thats what needs to be removed.



Having done the 5 speed swap, I can tell you with 100% certainty that my car does not throw codes with the TCM still plugged in. More specifically, b/c the auto cars have a specific auto engine harness, unplugging that TCM will most likely result in a non functioning ASC and/or ABS. There is a lot of documentation about doing the 5 speed swap, while retaining the auto engine harness. All of which leave the TCM plugged in and the main chip removed.

[m3f_EurAutoJunction]

The automatic transmission cars have an automatic transmission computer (TCM, TCU, whatever you want to call it). It sits in the same cubby as the DME. Once you open up the TCM, there is a removable chip. Thats what needs to be removed.



Having done the 5 speed swap, I can tell you with 100% certainty that my car does not throw codes with the TCM still plugged in. More specifically, b/c the auto cars have a specific auto engine harness, unplugging that TCM will most likely result in a non functioning ASC and/or ABS. There is a lot of documentation about doing the 5 speed swap, while retaining the auto engine harness. All of which leave the TCM plugged in and the main chip removed.

I took the car to get a retest and sure enough it passed. No more stored automatic trans codes. All I had to do was removed the automatic transmission computer chip like what you told me to do. It didn't need to clear or reset the dme, just removed the chip and plug the auto computer back in. Much respect to you and thank you.

[m3f_mbausa]

could anyone refer me to a shop in Southern California to do the Auto to Manual swap on a E36 M3?

Thanks

[m3f_T3AMFiSh]

Lang racing in irvine, be prepared for a couple grand