Transmission error code. (e34 535ia)

[Espen]

Hi.

I recently bought a 1988 535i(a)

It was originally an automatic transmission, but the gearbox failed, and the PO got the car rebuilt with an manual 5 speed box.

Now the OBC in dash display says "transmission error" Wich makes perfectly sense as the automatic transmission is long gone.. How do I make the message go away?

[gale]

Simple fix. Take the cover & speaker out of the passenger (right) side footwell. The TCU (transmission control unit) is tucked inside above the speaker. Unplug the connector and identify which socket is pin # 33. The pin numbers are molded into the plastic on the TCU. Cut down a spade connector so it's narrow enough to fit into the socket and crimp a wire to it and tape it onto the connector and tie the other end of the wire to a good ground. The message will go away and there will be a permanent "S" in the dash gear indictor, which can be removed by taking the bulb out.

[Espen]

Thanks!

So to wrap it up:
Connect pin 33 in the TCU harness to ground.

I dont think i have a gear indicator in the dash? How should it look like?

[genphreak]

Thanks!

So to wrap it up:
Connect pin 33 in the TCU harness to ground.

I dont think i have a gear indicator in the dash? How should it look like?

It is a dotmatrix LCD window in the cluster on teh right lower side. In the right light might show an S very faintly. (The bulbt is probably already blown or removed).