'BREAKING' 2013 ALTIMA 2.5 S (L33) DOES HAVE MANUAL SHIFT MODE!!

4903 Views 45 Replies 7 Participants Last post by scarydog892, 13 d ago

rjones6362

Discussion Starter · Oct 28, 2021

I currently own a Nissan Atima L33 2.5 S (model) and driven it for the pass 8 years. I bought it brand new off the lot with 4 miles on the dash (as you'll see on the dash, it still has relatively low mileage) .Currently adding mods incrementally and just discovered that it has "Manual Shift" mode like its 3.5 counterpart but the 2.5 doesn't come equipped with paddle shifters at all (owner's Manual doesn't mention that the 2.5 actually has Manual Shift Mode in which it does!). I figured out how to access/unlock Manual Mode after extensive research i.e. service manuals. I temporarily wired up two" pushbuttons " to the respective paddle shift jst connector on the PCB. Thanks to my wiring skills that I acquired from modding arcade fight sticks, I was able to achieve what probably hasn't been done anywhere in this country (USA) for this exact car. If it wasn't for my love of fight sticks I would've paid a premium for something I can do myself. Currently waiting on my actual paddle shifter kit (stock). It's going to be a blast putting this together Voooom! Voooom!! This car is going to be pretty cool once I'm done with it. Pics coming soon...any questions please ask!!

...soooo stoked
* UPDATE*
(Pic 1)Manual Mode unlocked!
(Pic 2) Back of gauge cluster module i.e. Combination Meter. Wiring points on the connector M26
(Pic 3) Custom Detachable wiring harness (3-Piece)
(Pic 4) Salvaged steering column Switch bracket w/Paddle Shifter brace from a '13 Altima 3.5L.
(Pic 5) Cleaned and installed. No modifications needed its a one to one fit. No difference in fitment.
(Pic 6) Paddle harness installed (its a 3 piece quick connect harness done by me) * I bought the shifters and new paddle shifter steering column bought directly from Nissan
(Pic 7) wiring installed into the Main Body harness connector M26 which connects to the gauge cluster i.e. Combination Meter
(Pic 8) Nearly finished. Shifters work (of course)!!! More cleaning then install new column cover and new steering wheel!

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41 - 46 of 46 Posts

rjones6362

Discussion Starter · #41 · 17 d ago

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(All the chrome have since been wrapped with black gloss wrap by a local pro shop $$$)

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scarydog892

· #42 · 16 d ago

rjones6362 said:
@scarydog892 I tried to post as much directions as possible. I think I posted the cluster wiring diagram at least (also check the altima forum website) If you don't have electrical or electronics knowledge or know-how (aka aren't handy) then wiring up the paddles to the rear of the cluster might be too much for you. You need to unplug and "unlock" the cluster connector plug to add the wires but you need the proper gauge wire with the correct size female metal crimp-connector that'll go into the harness connector plug. You may have to watch some YouTube vids on how to remove the cluster and also some wiring vids. You can purchase wire assortments of various sizes with the metal crimpped connectors that'll go into the harness ( white plastic) connector/plug that goes into the cluster. I've done extensive research and figured out the Altima L33's wiring diagrams and with my moderate to extensive electronics/wiring experience I successfully wired the paddles (and had fun). I'd say have someone help you so you don't blow your car up! (Side note) Fortunately for Infiniti sedans (the Q series) have the wiring already so if you had one without paddles all you have to do is get the paddles & proper steering column cover and simply hook'em up. I think after I've done all the work people started selling kits on ebay because I haven't seen them on ebay during the process so I had to piece everything together piece by piece from dealers and ebay.

Unfortunately I no longer have the car and now own a '22 Deep Pearl Blue Altima SR VC-Turbo and currently doing some cool mods $$$. I'll be posting pics soon but here's some sneak peeks. My current Altima is pretty much how I wanted my previous Altima to be setup...a proper SR with a turbo. In the process of installing a piggy-back module to turn up the power from 238 HP/ 278 Torque to 315 HP / 328 Torque (the limit!) along with a 50/50 Blow-Off Valve and more! (The STILLEN front splitter is a must have but expensive) View attachment 10733

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Thank you so much for the reply! I love the car, I was eyeballing the VC Turbo that they released but being a broke student I wont be able to get that lol. I understand much about removing the gauge cluster and unplugging the necessary port but once it gets to the wiring portion of it all i am totally lost! If I truly understand it the wiring portion better then I'll take a shot at doing it because I was looking on ebay and they had the whole paddle shifter + wheel column piece youre talking about for $100. I would just need more wiring to splice and make it longer so it would reach and connect. But after doing that then it will prob be my last mod on the car since I think that paddle shifters would make it so much fun tbh.

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rjones6362

Discussion Starter · #43 · 15 d ago

scarydog892 said:
Thank you so much for the reply! I love the car, I was eyeballing the VC Turbo that they released but being a broke student I wont be able to get that lol. I understand much about removing the gauge cluster and unplugging the necessary port but once it gets to the wiring portion of it all i am totally lost! If I truly understand it the wiring portion better then I'll take a shot at doing it because I was looking on ebay and they had the whole paddle shifter + wheel column piece youre talking about for $100. I would just need more wiring to splice and make it longer so it would reach and connect. But after doing that then it will prob be my last mod on the car since I think that paddle shifters would make it so much fun tbh.

You're welcome. Yeah I had fun doing thr research, putting everything together and using the shifters. I was honestly blown away with joy. If you dig through the earlier portion of this thread it may help you out. Also check the altima forum, I might have posted something there too. I think I was one of the first if thee first to do the mod.

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scarydog892

· #44 · 15 d ago

rjones6362 said:
You're welcome. Yeah I had fun doing thr research, putting everything together and using the shifters. I was honestly blown away with joy. If you dig through the earlier portion of this thread it may help you out. Also check the altima forum, I might have posted something there too. I think I was one of the first if thee first to do the mod.

I plan on taking off the gauge cluster today to just get a visual idea and take pics so I can see what needs to be done, after that I will see if I got the will to do it lol

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scarydog892

· #45 · 15 d ago

rjones6362 said:
You're welcome. Yeah I had fun doing thr research, putting everything together and using the shifters. I was honestly blown away with joy. If you dig through the earlier portion of this thread it may help you out. Also check the altima forum, I might have posted something there too. I think I was one of the first if thee first to do the mod.

Okay so I took off the gauge and figured out what I need. Its a lot easier to understand in person! After having to man handle my vehicle with the clipped on plastic lol I finally understand. Most of the parts on eBay have the needed wired connected to the paddle shifters, I would just need a longer wire with the same dimensions to splice and connect to make it longer then I need a really small female crimp connector to stick into the connector. So now I need to buy all the parts and hopefully it should all be done by next week if everything goes as plan!

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scarydog892

· #46 · 13 d ago

VStar650CL said:
It's the smaller connector on the back of the cluster. The cluster is actually very easy to remove. You'll need a 10mm socket, a #2 phillips, and a plastic prybar. Remove the lower dash 17 (two 10mm screws) and pry off the dash end panel 7. Extend and lower the steering wheel as far as it will go, then pry out the cluster bezel 13 and the centerstack trim 24. Then the instrument pad 8 will pry out. Don't bother disconnecting it, just loop it rightward over the steering column. Then 3 phillips heads hold the cluster in.
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This fr was really helpful in taking apart all of that plastic, thank you for this information!!

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