BD tap shifter issues

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
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36
SLC, Utah
Installed a BD tap shifter yesterday in my truck. Upon first start up, I clicked it through the gears while idling and it had 4th and 5th gear reveresed, click it all the way up and it locks out overdrive, tap it down one and it goes into overdrive. I read in the instructions that clicking gears with engine off can cause this so I didn't think anything of it. Turn the truck off and back on, works fine.

Last night I was out running around playing with the tap shifter. Did a 3rd gear rolling start in 4x4, floor it and shift it to 5th...after realizing it was still in 4th I tried to up shift to 5th...no go. Tap it down and it shifts to 5th no problem. Shut the truck off and back on, works just fine normal driving.

Again this afternoon, did the same thing to me after a WOT pull. So now it is an issue and not something I accidentally did.. I will be calling BD in the morning.

Has anyone experienced this before?
 

quinton

Active member
Nov 28, 2011
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Granbury Tx.
I have had problems with mine since I've got it. First it wouldn't work because they put a pin in wrong spot, and now it does similar things like yours. Anytime I try to go full throttle using tap shifter in 1-3 it won't always up shift and It will get stuck in a gear and have to pull over and shut it off. Idk what it could be.
 

mike diesel

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Sep 6, 2012
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36
SLC, Utah
Well, I've narrowed it down. My BT diesel lockup box is what is causing the BD tap shifter to screw up. They are not playing nice together for whatever reason. If I am in 3rd gear or higher with the tap shifter and the lockup box locks the converter, it messes up the gear synchronization every time. Lock up box off, zero issues. I'll see if this new module reacts the same. If so, then it looks like I'm getting rid of the tap shifter.
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
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Why not ask Ben if he can design a work-around for it into his lockup box?
It might be something he did not anticipate and it might be easy for him to design a solution.
You never know, it might work.....
 

mike diesel

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Sep 6, 2012
4,005
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SLC, Utah
Why not ask Ben if he can design a work-around for it into his lockup box?
It might be something he did not anticipate and it might be easy for him to design a solution.
You never know, it might work.....

I already talked to Ben about it, he said he is unaware of any issues between his box and any tap shifter. If anything, it is BD who needs to create the fix. I'm just hoping that the module I have has a glitch in it and that the new one will be fine.
 

IOWA LLY

Yes, its really me
Feb 23, 2007
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I have had a couple weird issues with tapshifter conversions. I've only installed the fleece ones though.

One time I installed one and it would not shift part 4th gear on the test drive. No matter what I did. Shut it off, restarted, and it's been flawless ever since.

Another Truck I put one on every once in a great while it won't shift past 5th. But all you have to do is tap the + symbol and it will. Even when I've been sure it wasn't touched prior to that.

Other then that I've installed probably 20 of them and never had any other issues. I have not installed a tapshifter on a truck with a lockup box though.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
 

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
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Apr 19, 2008
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I already talked to Ben about it, he said he is unaware of any issues between his box and any tap shifter. If anything, it is BD who needs to create the fix. I'm just hoping that the module I have has a glitch in it and that the new one will be fine.

I figured Ben would be more receptive to help. He has always liked an electrical challenge.
I've never really been impressed with BD.
 

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
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SLC, Utah
I have an idea though. Not sure if people are familiar with exactly how the BD box plugs in...but here is what I am figuring. The lockup box taps into the top connector of the TCM, which the BD box also uses the top connector. So the factory harness that has the lockup box tapped into, is now plugged into the BD module and BD's new harness goes to the TCM. I'm wondering if I tap the lockup box into the BD harness after their module (which plugs directly in to the TCM), if that will fix it. So the lockup box signal is not going through BD's module like it currently is.

I will swap the wires tonight if I have time.
 

Awenta

Active member
Sep 28, 2014
4,090
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CT
What about using diodes so the signals are one way and not crossing.

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DIESELMAFIAPER.LB7

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Jan 17, 2010
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shop.dieselmafiaperformance.com
I have an idea though. Not sure if people are familiar with exactly how the BD box plugs in...but here is what I am figuring. The lockup box taps into the top connector of the TCM, which the BD box also uses the top connector. So the factory harness that has the lockup box tapped into, is now plugged into the BD module and BD's new harness goes to the TCM. I'm wondering if I tap the lockup box into the BD harness after their module (which plugs directly in to the TCM), if that will fix it. So the lockup box signal is not going through BD's module like it currently is.

I will swap the wires tonight if I have time.

I bet that'd actually do the trick for you
 

IOWA LLY

Yes, its really me
Feb 23, 2007
2,275
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0
I have an idea though. Not sure if people are familiar with exactly how the BD box plugs in...but here is what I am figuring. The lockup box taps into the top connector of the TCM, which the BD box also uses the top connector. So the factory harness that has the lockup box tapped into, is now plugged into the BD module and BD's new harness goes to the TCM. I'm wondering if I tap the lockup box into the BD harness after their module (which plugs directly in to the TCM), if that will fix it. So the lockup box signal is not going through BD's module like it currently is.

I will swap the wires tonight if I have time.
I think that sounds like an excellent idea. Definitely worth a try at least.

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TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
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Mid Michigan
I have an idea though. Not sure if people are familiar with exactly how the BD box plugs in...but here is what I am figuring. The lockup box taps into the top connector of the TCM, which the BD box also uses the top connector. So the factory harness that has the lockup box tapped into, is now plugged into the BD module and BD's new harness goes to the TCM. I'm wondering if I tap the lockup box into the BD harness after their module (which plugs directly in to the TCM), if that will fix it. So the lockup box signal is not going through BD's module like it currently is.

I will swap the wires tonight if I have time.

Nice thinking, Mike.
 

SSchmi5519

LLY Cult Leader
Oct 19, 2008
3,387
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36
Arizona
If that doesn't work and you cant get the BD to work, worst case scenario you could always get Ben's Lockup+TapShift Combo. Mine works great! Having the little LCD display that tells you what gear you're in is nice as well. Display also shows converter lockup status when the box is in "Auto" mode.
 

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
0
36
SLC, Utah
Just swapped the wires like I mentioned previously. Didn't change anything. Same issue. Looks like this tap shifter is coming off.
 

mike diesel

I'm alright.
Sep 6, 2012
4,005
0
36
SLC, Utah
BD is telling me there should be zero issues running the BT box and their tap shifter together. They're saying to try the new module before taking the tap shifter off. We will see how the new module responds when it gets here.