How to swap a manual transmission on a Saturn Vue with an automatic? (Transmission Automatic Manual Saturn VUE)

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Question Details Asked:Nov 25, 2008 - 02:03 PMStatus:Closed

dchizen	How to swap a manual transmission on a Saturn Vue with an automatic? 2003 Saturn Vue 4 cylinder, AWD with gearless automatic VTi transmission. 20,000 miles. Transmission will not reverse, goes forward in reverse and neutral. Have read of this VTi transmission being withdrawn by Saturn, and legions of Vue owners who have had 4 VTi transmission fail in 100,000 miles. It seems illogical with this data to repair my VTi as it is likely to fail soon after. As Saturn does not have a durable automatic to use, I would like to install a 5 speed manual transmission. As my Vue is so little used, 4,000 miles per year and I like the car when it runs, the manual transmission swap seems logical. The dealers say that the engine has two different wiring harnesses depending on whether the car was built with the VTi or manual, and the manual harness will not mate with the auto designated engine. How can I get this wiring problem solves. Is there an aftermarket wiring harness adaptor? One more problem. I have the Vue in Anguilla, BWI. Saturns are not sold in the Caribbean or South America, and the GM dealers in this area are under the GM South American standards which means no support, and no computer to program the Saturn. My selling dealer says that when I swap with the manual transmission that the Interior Computer Module (this controls the engine and transmission) needs to be reprogrammed. Is this true? Why does the manual transmission need programing as the driver shifts the gears not the computer module? Can I download a program so that I can reprogram my Vue? I would appreciate some technical support or advice as to where to get support to swap transmissions. Saturn is most unresponsive. You would think that when the manufacturer has made a major engineering mistake, is being class actioned and has been successfully sued for damages that Saturn would be helpful to get the customer onside with support. Saturn does not offer any support other than directing to the dealer network which does not have the skills to solve my problem. What are those engineering genius' doing at Saturn? Dwight
	In Maintenance & Repair > Transmission > Automatic In Maintenance & Repair > Transmission > Manual In Makes & Models > Saturn > VUE 1 answer - 1635 days ago
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subearu 11/25/08 6:46 pm PST

It is never a cheap endeavor swapping a different type of transmission into a late model vehicle. As you indicated, you'll need various wiring harness pieces, linkage, and fussing with the computer(s). Not cheap to find these, and that's here in the States. And since you'll have to support yourself if you do this conversion, you won't have many places to go to get help fixing or tweaking things along the way.

You would be better off selling the Vue you have now and finding a different make/model that has your desired features or perhaps a manual transmission VUE. Less headaches by not having to do the work involved, no doubt.

-Brian

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