Can't find top switch bezel
 

Ordered from local dealer- took them three weeks to get back with me to tell me that factory has none and they are not ordering/making any more. I need one- the poorly designed tab at the bottom is missing on mine (gone before I got the car) and I would like to fix it. Does anyone have one or an aftermarket fix, etc?

Thanks.

Need to know if your ride has TCS or not? IE one switch or two?

I have 1 sitting around, Only 1 button not TCS. Let me know if you want it.

It has TCS? (start in 2nd), so two switches. I have one from a '97 hardtop with just the 2nd gear start. Thanks for the offer endobong. Have something cajun?
(On the TCS note- wish I had the posi-track rearend. What is the consensus on those 'round here?)

What do you mean start in second??

The switches are labeled TOP and 2nd (for second gear start- so minimal tire slippage for bad weather).

I've never seen the 2nd gear switch :confused: I tried to buy a 2 switch bezel from GM Parts Direct, but they said it was discontinued, then I went to the dealer and they had it in stock. Maybe try a different dealer?

Cool, will do. If I can't find it would you be willing to purchase and ship for me on my UPS account?

Odd, there was one on the wrecked '97 coupe that I got my engine out of to put in the vert and one on the vert. I just assumed that they all had it, weird thing is that the '97 did not have the performance pkg either- drum brakes at rear.

Good call Destru6969. I ordered the first one from Chevy dealer, they didn't show any in the country except (1) other one. I called the local Pontiac dealer, while they did not have any, the parts guy gave me three dealers/phone #'s. I found one on the 3rd call- woo,hoo. It will ship out tonight.
Thanks- not sure why my logic lapsed on this one- but thanks for the help.

Weird..i've never come accross this before. Does it act the same as the stupid TCS?

Not sure, don't think I have the 'stupid' TCS. Is that related to the brake system like on the front wheel drive GM products? or is it the limited slip rear differential? Either way, I am pretty sure that it does not- would certainly depend on how the TCS system worked.

I actually stumbled across the 2nd gear switch in my owners manual earlier. Apparently it's only on auto. V6 cars.

I had this on a 1995 GTP. It makes the car start in second gear so it does not spin in slippery or wet weather. Never used it myself but it was interesting.

I don't suppose it would be a useful option for :jest:a Manual Transmission. On the front wheel drive vehicles it isn't something that is overly useful. I can see where it might be handy on a RWD, I clicked mine in some time back just to see if it worked. It did, there is alot of sand at the top of my street at the stop sign. If it is rush hour and am in a hurry to get out, it could be helpful. I don't use it, but it could be helpful.

2nd gear start, TCS, posi-track, these are all "traction enhancement" techniques / devices but they work in different ways:

POSI: Transfers torque to the wheel with the most traction. This is done within the differential with friction clutches that resists the differential motion between the two wheels on the axle.

2nd-Gear Start: Forces the auto trans to start in 2nd gear, reducing the torque applied to the driveline / wheels to help prevent slipping on slippery surfaces. Common technique used by knowledgeable manual trans drivers who have trouble feathering the clutch.

TCS (Traction Control System aka: ASR = Acceleration Slip Reduction): The PCM uses the anti-lock speed sensors at the wheels to sense a slipping wheel, then uses a combination of engine torque reduction (via push-back on the throttle or throttle closing if throttle-by-wire) and brake application to the slipping wheel to reduce or eliminate the slip. On cars w/ open (non-posi) differentials, the brake application also has the effect of transferring the torque to the non-slipping wheel (cyber-posi).

Thanks Johnny- thought so.

Good info. Which models have the TCS?

I belive TCS/ASR (Pontiac/Chevy names for traction control) were available in 1994+ F-bodies as options. Not many LT1-era cars picked this up.

The option required a different ABS computer/control set up that ran 2 separate brake lines to the rearend (one for each wheel), while the standard set up used a 3-channel ABS (1 brake line to the rearend). This also required individual wheel speed sensors on the rearend, which led to the use of reluctor wheels/sensors on the flange-end of each axle (as opposed to the 3-channels use of one large reluctor wheel over the diff case and sensor on the pumpkin top).

There was also a 3-wire connection to the PCM from the ABS/TCS computer that told the PCM to engauge spark retard... and told the EBCM (ABS/TCS computer) what the current TPS value (throttle Position %) was.

Lastly, there was a solenoid hooked up to the throttle body cam than would FORCE the throttle body closed (yes, you'd feel it against your foot/pedal). The TCS/ABS computer received the Throttle positon from the PCM (TPS sensor) to determine how much it needs to the close the throttle blades.

Any car with TCS/ASR (aka 4-channel ABS) had a switch in the cockpit for the driver to turn off/on TCS. It defaulted ON on each startup (unless you bought the SLP module that toggled it to normally OFF).

My understanding is that MOST LS1 cars had 4-channel ABS (TCS/ASR equipped).

I've read that some OBDI LT1 guys without traction control have used the PCM timing retard signal (just ground a PCM pin) to retard timing for nitrous use... but I havn't done it myself just yet. :)

Cool, good info- thanks Steve.

13Brian: I went thru this exact same thing when I was a newbie:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...8294&highlight=
the p/n is listed as well as where I ordered mine from, email them, they list the cost @ $2.80 plus shipping, do like I did for that $, order a few for backup!!!
P/s after you fix it you can order a cover like mine...

BTW-SLP makes a "tcs logic module" you hook up in line with the TCS switch to make your car start with the tcs OFF and if you want it on, you flip the switch, I have that too, works great, about $80.