Alternating Relays

I'm trying to make my own "paddle shifters" for my automatic. I already have the wiring layout/sequences, but the hard part is figuring out how to energize these. I want to control 4 relays with 2 momentary switches acting as my paddles. I need the relays to alternate up or down with either push button in sequential order.

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Aaron

Where is your Layout?

Do you have it on Paper Picture or just in your Head?

I would Read your Mind if I could.

Give me more to go on.

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John DeRosa (Hotwaterwizard)
Stockton California
When in doubt, try it out !

Here's the "concept" of what I'd like to do. When I found which wire controls which solenoid, the common thing is that every wire had 8V constant, but when the tranny computer engaged a perticular gear, that solenoid then went to 12+V. I think this setup may be more complicated than a couple relays, because I think it will need to be cut into these wires to keep the computer from trying to fight which gear I want it in. Also, these relays will probably have to "follow" the computer's contol when the system is not active, to keep me from having to come to a complete stop if I want to use it. If i don't make any sense just let me know.

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Aaron

OK, i don't know why, but the picture I uploaded shows fine in the reply, but I can't get it to post. ?

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Aaron

try this:   https://www.mirageforums.net/phpBB2/album_pic.php?pic_id=3456

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Aaron

So you want the left one to control shift up and the right to control shift down.

When you push the left button it goes from relay 1 to relay 2 push again it goes to 3  push again it goes to 4. push the other switch and it goes to 3 then 2 then 1.

Is that the concept?

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John DeRosa (Hotwaterwizard)
Stockton California
When in doubt, try it out !

That's exactly what I want to do.

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Aaron

What about Reverse?

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John DeRosa (Hotwaterwizard)
Stockton California
When in doubt, try it out !

No, I don't need that, just 1,2,3,4. The car does have overdrive too, but for that I can just stick it back in D.

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Aaron

Do you need Momentary Voltage or Latching Voltage?

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John DeRosa (Hotwaterwizard)
Stockton California
When in doubt, try it out !

Latching voltage.

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Aaron

This is going to get complicated real Quick.

You will need a couple of IC's and some other parts.

How much do you know about Electronics?

Can you Make your own circuit board?

Here is a Start.

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John DeRosa (Hotwaterwizard)
Stockton California
When in doubt, try it out !

I can follow simple electrical diagrams, but can't design any of my own.

Question: Pin3 on the first 4013, looks like it has a square wave coming in, what is that?

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Aaron

That will be your Switch going on and off.

Normally it is a Square Pulse from an Oscillator or Timer.

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John DeRosa (Hotwaterwizard)
Stockton California
When in doubt, try it out !

We have figured out how to make it go from 1 to 4 now we have to figure out how to make it go back down.

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John DeRosa (Hotwaterwizard)
Stockton California
When in doubt, try it out !

How are you going to keep the tranny computer from overriding your command? What I mean is... You can theoretically add 12v to a solenoid to change gears in the tranny. But when the tranny computer sees that it is in the wrong gear for it's perameters, and will either switch it back into the correct gear, or throw out a trouble code. Something to think about...

In order to solve this issue, you may be able to use another relay to cut power to the tranny controller. This should put the vehicle in manual-shift mode during the time when you are using the paddle shifters. Not sure if it works that way on all cars tho. One way to find out would be to disconnect the tranny controller plug and take the car for a drive. You'll probably have to shift it into 1st to start out, then upshift manually to 2nd, 3rd, etc.

Another potential problem is this: Transmission gears are controlled by solenoids. But, there isn't normally one solenoid for each gear. In a 4 speed (for example), there are probably only 2 solenoids controlling the gear range. It uses the solenoids as logic, rather than just switches. Probably something like this:
1st = both solenoids off
2nd = solenoid A off, solenoid B on
3rd = solenoid A on, solenoid B off
4th = both solenoids on
Don't quote me that this is exactly the way your tranny is working, or that these "states of the solenoids" are correct. I'm just using that as an example of how the tranny shifts. This is the way it works on my AW4. There are three solenoids total, two control the gear range and the other locks/unlocks the torque converter.

At one point, I had considered adding something like paddle shifters to my Jeep (for offroad use). But it's way more complicated than I was willing to do for such little gain.

These are some of the same concerns I've had. I think I'll wait to do something like this until I can address ALL the issues.

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Aaron