How to: Install a switch for SWAS enable/disable

[08cosmic3]

This switch is low profile and looks OEM. It can be purchased at Radio Shack for a couple bucks and has worked well for me. Gen 1

[Tribalic One]

Originally Posted by 08cosmic3 This switch is low profile and looks OEM. It can be purchased at Radio Shack for a couple bucks and has worked well for me. Gen 1

That's one of the switches I'm looking at. Trying to decide if I want a nice "factory" looking switch next to the DSC button, or go the eccentric route and get the locking, bomb bay door switch.

[Brennan]

Originally Posted by himurax13 Awesome. Post up pics of the install. Do you plan on hooking it up near the TCS button? Sent via blown passenger side speakers.

Check a few posts up for pics of the install. I mounted it on the underside of the steering wheel on the left side.

[ape_ck]

Read the entire thread and see only one mention about a power steering problem. I noticed the PS goes dead with quick turns of the wheel. Normal?

[pingaboo]

Originally Posted by ape_ck Read the entire thread and see only one mention about a power steering problem. I noticed the PS goes dead with quick turns of the wheel. Normal?

happens to me too, and mentioned several times in another thread.

[ibcrusn]

Installed a switch yesterday similar in design to what @08cosmic3; used mounted under the steering column so it was somewhat out of sight if the car goes back to the dealer. I went the unlighted route since the LED would only illuminate when the switch it 'On' which is all the time.

Rather than install the switch inline with the SB (Sky Blue) wire I chose the P (Pink) because it's the ground for the SWAS switch rather than input power. I'm not a Mazda tech and I've never dealt with a steering angle sensor before but as has been mentioned on the Gen1's and some Gen2's the power steering drops off at slow speeds and I figured power going in and possibly going out elsewhere via a different connector for that system would be good to maintain.

That said when it came to the ops check I noted much the same as everyone else but I need to perform some additional checks.

• When in the 'On' position everything is a-okay
• If selected 'OFF' prior to starting you get the steering wheel and skid lights and the DSC switch does not function at all.
• If selected 'OFF' after the car is started the same lights as above come on and the DSC switch has no affect.
• When switching from the 'OFF' position to 'ON' while running the lights stayed on. (I need to perform and extended ops check to verify because I would expect the skid light to go out)
• If the DSC switch is 'OFF' prior to switching 'OFF' the SWAS I got the steering wheel and DSC lights and no skid light. (One has to assume traction control isn't operating regardless)
• In the 'OFF' position I did not experience and drop in power steering performance, mind you I checked it in my garage with a painted floor and on my concrete driveway but all was good.
• I did not check the various buttons on the steering wheel that might be affected (volume, mode, etc) but I'll check today.
• On my brief drive to dinner I noted no appreciable difference in performance but with wif and sleeping 7 mon old in the car it was a no-no, will check today.
• Lastly I have not taken any logs yet.

Pics just for good measure.

Edit.....added pic that @El_Diablo; originally loaded in post #60 to keep all the pertinent info in one location for those interested in adding a switch.

[ibcrusn]

Update....

After a day of driving around and trying different configurations I can verify a few things.

• With SWAS 'OFF' there is no affect on the power steering.
• Switching the SWAS back 'ON' while driving will not reengage the steering sensor or DSC (wheel spin regardless)
• Relative to the previous statement to reengage the SWAS and traction control the ignition must be cycled.
• All steering wheel buttons function normally (caveat....I do not have the Tech package YMMV)
• Still no logs, maybe when I start on my tune.

[kbz0129]

Got this code short after installing the swas switch. I cleared it last night, just wondering how i triggered it? C1938 - Invalid Steering Wheel Angle Sensor ID

[ibcrusn]

It's been mentioned in previous posts that the angle sensor will trigger a code. From what I gather because I haven't hooked up my AP the codes will go away when the switch is reset and the car is cycled off and back on. I'll try and verify this week.

[Quigs]

Threw a switch on to a buddies 1st gen today. Findings were similar to what was posted above. We put the switch on the ground so that no other systems should be affected since there was some speculation about steering wheel controls not working and whatnot after tapping in to the power.

For reference, on his 2007 yellow/blue is power, brown is ground, and the other two wires are signal wires.

I'll let @BigO; chime in with the differences with the system deactivated. DSC can still be toggled on and off via the factory switch, but as already stated the ignition needs to be cycled in order to re-activate SWAS.

No engine codes (dash light anyway) showed up while we were testing. Did not have AccessPORT on though, so no idea on the pending code. I will assume that the code is there though, just not enough to throw a light.

[08cosmic3]

I only engage SWAS when I'm on the interstate in the rain. Always hated how the car would stumble on hard acceleration so this mod is cheap and a no brainer.

[chochoky86]

After reading this whole thread Im just wondering, I have a 2013 with tech package I read on some post that holdidng the button for 5-10 sec will disable swas and saw some other post that it didnt does anybody know if I will have to install the switch to completely disable swas or just holding the button for 5-10 sec is good enough

Thanks

[JgamB]

Originally Posted by chochoky86 After reading this whole thread Im just wondering, I have a 2013 with tech package I read on some post that holdidng the button for 5-10 sec will disable swas and saw some other post that it didnt does anybody know if I will have to install the switch to completely disable swas or just holding the button for 5-10 sec is good enough Thanks

Start car, hold down DSC for an 8 count. Let go. Press it again - nothing should happen, and the traction control light should remain lit until you turn the car off again. This kills DSC and SWAS, verified by AP log and anyone with a clue how their car feels when neutered.

If you've never driven with it off, I'd find a parking lot and relearn the limits of your adhesion while cornering and applying power.

[Monforte88]

Start car, hold down DSC for an 8 count. Let go. Press it again - nothing should happen, and the traction control light should remain lit until you turn the car off again. This kills DSC and SWAS, verified by AP log and anyone with a clue how their car feels when neutered.

If you've never driven with it off, I'd find a parking lot and relearn the limits of your adhesion while cornering and applying power.



does this work for the gen 1 also? Thinking of putting in the switch though.

[Quigs]

Originally Posted by Monforte88 Start car, hold down DSC for an 8 count. Let go. Press it again - nothing should happen, and the traction control light should remain lit until you turn the car off again. This kills DSC and SWAS, verified by AP log and anyone with a clue how their car feels when neutered. If you've never driven with it off, I'd find a parking lot and relearn the limits of your adhesion while cornering and applying power. does this work for the gen 1 also? Thinking of putting in the switch though.

No, this does not work for Gen 1. That's what this thread is for - detailing how to install a switch for those of us not lucky enough to have SWAS be deactivated via factory switch.

[chochoky86]

Originally Posted by JgamB Start car, hold down DSC for an 8 count. Let go. Press it again - nothing should happen, and the traction control light should remain lit until you turn the car off again. This kills DSC and SWAS, verified by AP log and anyone with a clue how their car feels when neutered. If you've never driven with it off, I'd find a parking lot and relearn the limits of your adhesion while cornering and applying power.

Ok then Ive been doing it right, thanks a lot I was kind of confused on the 2013 if it needed the switch or not

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

[himurax13]

Originally Posted by ibcrusn Update.... After a day of driving around and trying different configurations I can verify a few things. With SWAS 'OFF' there is no affect on the power steering. Switching the SWAS back 'ON' while driving will not reengage the steering sensor or DSC (wheel spin regardless) Relative to the previous statement to reengage the SWAS and traction control the ignition must be cycled. All steering wheel buttons function normally (caveat....I do not have the Tech package YMMV) Still no logs, maybe when I start on my tune.

Any updates?

[ibcrusn]

Originally Posted by himurax13 Any updates?

Not really.....

• With SWAS 'OFF' there is no affect on the power steering. That's a negative, if you crank the wheel quickly or have to turn left then right quickly while travelling at slow parking lot speeds the pump doesn't keep up. Other than that I notice no difference in normal operation. I don't care enough when I drive to try and figure out a way to fake out the PS pump to increase pressure/flow, might have to look through the W/D ans see if it would be easy on the '10+ cars.
• Switching the SWAS back 'ON' while driving will not reengage the steering sensor or DSC (wheel spin regardless). No change.
• Relative to the previous statement to reengage the SWAS and traction control the ignition must be cycled. No change, still requires the switch to be flipped and cycle the ignition.
• All steering wheel buttons function normally (caveat....I do not have the Tech package YMMV). No new issues.
• Still no logs, maybe when I start on my tune. I haven't started a tune yet I was waiting on parts, prolly in the next month or two.

[triphop631]

So all I have to do is tap into the ground for this?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[bigdog]

Triphop, it would appear that behavior is the same if you tap into the feed or the ground.

[triphop631]

Cool, doing this tomorrow.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk

[ABOSWORTH]

Originally Posted by JgamB Start car, hold down DSC for an 8 count. Let go. Press it again - nothing should happen, and the traction control light should remain lit until you turn the car off again. This kills DSC and SWAS, verified by AP log and anyone with a clue how their car feels when neutered. If you've never driven with it off, I'd find a parking lot and relearn the limits of your adhesion while cornering and applying power.

I've been using this method for a couple months now on my 2012. Does this method totally disable SWAS on 12 non-tech package as well? I have read through a number of threads and can't really get a definitive answer, though your post is the first I've seen that confirmed with logs.

I was doing an oil change tonight and decided to pull the SWAS connection from under the steering column to see if I could feel a difference between holding the button.

I always hold the button when I start the car so I'd just assume leave it unplugged but I'm thinking I might not pass inspection with the two lights lit up. Not that it's hard to pop the connector back in or wire a switch like the thread indicates. If holding the button truly disables SWAS, I'll probably just go back to doing that.

[JgamB]

Originally Posted by ABOSWORTH I've been using this method for a couple months now on my 2012. Does this method totally disable SWAS on 12 non-tech package as well?

The consensus appears to be cars *built* in 2012 and newer have the same ECU behavior for disabling SWAS with the press and hold method. A dozen or so people contributed to the last thread regarding this question, and it would take a lot more to isolate when the programming changed.

I tested this with several 2nd and 3rd gear hard corners, with all of the 2nd gear underpass u-turn lane runs resulting in roasted tires and hitting boost/timing/WGDC targets as normal, and no anomalies noted for 3rd gear high speed lane change maneuvers and swerving either.

If I insulted anyone by saying you're basically a retard if you can't feel the difference, I apologize. It's very obvious on a corn tuned K04 when you're making full power, not so much on an OTS map.

[ABOSWORTH]

Originally Posted by JgamB The consensus appears to be cars *built* in 2012 and newer have the same ECU behavior for disabling SWAS with the press and hold method. A dozen or so people contributed to the last thread regarding this question, and it would take a lot more to isolate when the programming changed. I tested this with several 2nd and 3rd gear hard corners, with all of the 2nd gear underpass u-turn lane runs resulting in roasted tires and hitting boost/timing/WGDC targets as normal, and no anomalies noted for 3rd gear high speed lane change maneuvers and swerving either. If I insulted anyone by saying you're basically a retard if you can't feel the difference, I apologize. It's very obvious on a corn tuned K04 when you're making full power, not so much on an OTS map.

Yeah, I saw people talking about the build date. Mine was built in 2012. I can definitely feel a difference holding the switch as opposed doing nothing but the butt dyno can't tell the difference between SWAS unplugged and the "hold the button down" method. I've got an AP coming today so I will be able to log soon enough.

[Digital_Jedi]

@ABOSWORTH; definitely post logs up, it would be very helpful for the 12-13s!

[ABOSWORTH]

Originally Posted by Digital_Jedi @ABOSWORTH; definitely post logs up, it would be very helpful for the 12-13s!

My AccessPort and internals just came in yesterday. I'll be installing the internals and marrying the AP this weekend so I'll post up some logs soon.

[himurax13]

Silly question but can I unplug one of the ABS sensors to get the same effect as pulling the plug in the steering wheel on a 2011 Tech?

[Mauro_Penguin]

Probably not. You'd end up having no ABS, and SWAS still in full effect. I think? It wouldn't have any effect on the boost safe limit when turning, it would just let you wheel spin from lack of ABS speed sensor input.

[ibcrusn]

^^^ Agreed. At least on my 2010 with SWAS turned off I still have ABS.

[himurax13]

Originally Posted by Mauro_Penguin Probably not. You'd end up having no ABS, and SWAS still in full effect. I think? It wouldn't have any effect on the boost safe limit when turning, it would just let you wheel spin from lack of ABS speed sensor input.

Well it worked during a dyno day so I doubt the SWAS was in full effect.

I can tell you that on my 2010 the switch killed my SWAS, power steering, traction control, and ABS.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[ibcrusn]

Originally Posted by himurax13 I can tell you that on my 2010 the switch killed my SWAS, power steering, traction control, and ABS.

Do you have the tech package? The ABS part surprises me because I specifically checked that during a snow storm just to see if disabled that system and it didn't.

The other systems have been impacted by disconnecting the SWAS.

[Mauro_Penguin]

@himurax13; that is surprising to hear. I have a 2012 non tech, just put in a SWAS switch this week. I still need more time to observe what might happen. We did try to put a switch on another local nator members car, his was a 2012 tech package, and he threw an extra code from unplugging the harness. I thought that was interesting also.

Our wiring harness is also different. The wires didn't match what Ibcrusn posted. On both of our 2012 ' s the ground was a brown wire and I think it was the second or third pin in. So who knows if there is any logic difference also?

[himurax13]

Originally Posted by ibcrusn Do you have the tech package? The ABS part surprises me because I specifically checked that during a snow storm just to see if disabled that system and it didn't. The other systems have been impacted by disconnecting the SWAS.

Yes, I do have the Tech Package.

My brakes lock up when I have the switch on and they don't when I have the switch turned off and cycled.

I wonder if a rheostat or some capacitor can be used instead of an actual switch to fool the SWAS that the steering wheel is neutral at all times.

[bigdog]

Pretty sure this has been talked about before but don't think anyone has tried 'tricking'the sensor. I am curious about this as issue. Your abs isn't working and you don't have an abs light on? Also everyone that is having issues installed a switch on the ground instead of the feed? I do not have this problem. The only irritating part that I get is the lack of the power steering which is very annoying during Autox.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

[himurax13]

Originally Posted by SLOWHATCH Meh, for some reason I thought most switches had 3 pins. So would I need to run a ground wire? This is the part I was confused about. And thanks, I was able to wire a meth kit but this has me baffled lol.

Originally Posted by bigdog Pretty sure this has been talked about before but don't think anyone has tried 'tricking'the sensor. I am curious about this as issue. Your abs isn't working and you don't have an abs light on? Also everyone that is having issues installed a switch on the ground instead of the feed? I do not have this problem. The only irritating part that I get is the lack of the power steering which is very annoying during Autox. Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

Well I cut the blue wire like in the original post. I don't get a brake warning light either. If you go deep into the brakes, like when bedding in new pads, you will be able to tell the ABS is simply not working. If you are at highway speeds, it is hard to feel.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[calizoomzoom]

on my 12 w/ tech i noticed i only had one blue wire and it was iin the middle, so i figured that wasnt it. it also had a white one.. OPs plug didnt have any white wires. But the rest of the wire colors were the same. Mine ended up being the white wire.
Made a switch, put it underthe steering column,no more flashing lights

[Mase]

They must have pulled a switch on us!

[PoetryInMotion]

@Mase; Come on man that was terrible

[ABOSWORTH]

I'm set to take some logs tomorrow with SWAS unplugged and the button holding method. Will a second gear pull suffice or should I do first and second?

[JgamB]

Originally Posted by ABOSWORTH I'm set to take some logs tomorrow with SWAS unplugged and the button holding method. Will a second gear pull suffice or should I do first and second?

2nd gear for sure - you'll hit redline in 1st within a handful of cells. It was difficult enough to capture in 2nd gear, I should've done it with my 93 tune or an OTS map.