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| Up shift light questions (Page 1/2) |
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Kitskaboodle
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MAY 18, 05:11 PM
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I know that some 4 cylinders had the up shift light but did any V6 Fiero’s have them? If not, does the 85 V6 cluster and/or the 86-88 V6 clusters have the up shift light capability? (meaning, does the plastic template sheet have up the shift symbol on it?) I heard that up shifting is controlled by the ECM. I also heard that 88 ecm’s do not have the up shift capability but what about 85-87 V6 ecm’s? I’m basically asking how hard it would be to outfit a V6 with upshifting capability?
Thanks, Kit[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 05-18-2025).]
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Patrick
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MAY 18, 05:17 PM
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Kit, why would you want a red light constantly going on and off in your instrument cluster?
| quote | Originally posted by Patrick Here:
As has already been suggested, the best thing to do in regards to the "SHIFT" light is to remove the bulb. In case you're not aware, the "SHIFT" light is to inform the driver of when to shift gears to help maintain the best fuel economy. Is that what anyone really wants, some incessant nanny telling you when to shift... over and over and over and over again? 
I found it nothing more than a constant distraction. If a red light illuminates on my instrument panel, I want it to be indicating something important.
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[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-18-2025).]
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hunter29
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MAY 18, 05:44 PM
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I never look at it , why would I... Better off fixing your temperature guage if you haven't already.. [This message has been edited by hunter29 (edited 05-18-2025).]
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cartercarbaficionado
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MAY 18, 06:10 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:
I know that some 4 cylinders had the up shift light but did any V6 Fiero’s have them? If not, does the 85 V6 cluster and/or the 86-88 V6 clusters have the up shift light capability? (meaning, does the plastic template sheet have up the shift symbol on it?) I heard that up shifting is controlled by the ECM. I also heard that 88 ecm’s do not have the up shift capability but what about 85-87 V6 ecm’s? I’m basically asking how hard it would be to outfit a V6 with upshifting capability?
Thanks, Kit
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the 88 v6 cluster does have that spot yes. but the wiring doesn't work quite right for it if you use a prior to 88 ecm (i only know this because i had a spare 87 one i used to try to fix a problem)
i dont necessarily agree with patrick that its pointless but it is a real pain to put in and get functioning properly. i would put another temp sensor in the cylinder heads and use the light wired separately for a overheat light personally
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Kitskaboodle
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MAY 18, 06:31 PM
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Thanks for all the replies. 😊
Actually, i just thought of another question and that is, at what rpm does the shift light come on? Is it at the same rpm for every gear?
Oh, and my temp gauge has always worked beautifully in both my Fiero’s. (knock on wood)
Kit[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 05-18-2025).]
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Patrick
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MAY 18, 07:02 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:
...what rpm does the shift light come on? Is it at the same rpm for every gear?
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No, there's more to it than that. It has to do with engine RPM, manifold air pressure, etc.
| quote | Originally posted by cartercarbaficionado:
i dont necessarily agree with patrick that its pointless...
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The Fiero's fuel economy shift light might not be "pointless" if your gas gauge is on Empty and there isn't another gas station for 100 miles... but other than that... the flashing shift light is nothing but a nuisance... IMO.
Kit, there have been plenty of threads started over the years about the shift light... mainly by Fiero owners without a functioning shift light who feel they're somehow being cheated out of the experience.  I don't recall any one of them returning to say how great it was once they got it functional![This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-18-2025).]
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richard in nc
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MAY 18, 07:13 PM
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i was planning to use the shift up bulb for my oil pressure light once i figured where to mount a sender.
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1985 Fiero GT
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MAY 18, 07:16 PM
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It's a cool, semi unique feature that is interesting. If you are accelerating (foot to the floor), it doesn't come on at all, like Patrick said it is some special map of several different engine parameters, but basically the more gas you're giving it, the higher the rpm it turns on at, and in my experience it has almost always come on at my natural shifting points anyways, or blinked on momentarily as I'm lifting the throttle to shift in a harder acceleration. It has also been useful as a form of cruise control, as in town I had a hard time keeping the Fiero to stay dead on the speed limit without longing at the speedo a lot, but being in 3rd gear at 50km/h, it will go on at about 53 or so, so I would just drive until the light blinked on let if the gas until it went out, and continued like that, never even looking at the cluster. At higher speeds it was easier to maintain an exact speed without constant checking, I think that's because of some vacuum leaks I had at the time. Anyhow for me it's been at worst a cool gimmick, at best a very decent cruise control for the most boring parts of a drive.
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hunter29
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MAY 18, 08:24 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Kitskaboodle:
Thanks for all the replies. 😊
Actually, i just thought of another question and that is, at what rpm does the shift light come on? Is it at the same rpm for every gear?
Oh, and my temp gauge has always worked beautifully in both my Fiero’s. (knock on wood)
Kit
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Does your temp gauge peg when you start the car ?
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Kitskaboodle
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MAY 18, 10:26 PM
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No, no pegging on the temp gauge.
However, at very low rpm’s at a light with the turn signal going, I have occasionally seen them do a little dance. Since I upgraded both my cars to the 88 CS130 alternator, I haven’t really seen it dance.
Kit
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