C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

TH400 kick down adjustment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
lps&vettes's Avatar
lps&vettes
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
Default TH400 kick down adjustment

Ok, I have adjusted the kickdown cable on a TH350, but don't see one on the TH400. What is the procedure for adjusting the kickdown? When I nail it, the secondaries open, but it won't kick down.
Thanks!
Todd
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:16 PM
  #2  
TXShark's Avatar
TXShark
Instructor
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Default

I think there is an electric switch under the dash that makes it kick down. There may be adjustment there.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:16 PM
  #3  
7t2vette's Avatar
7t2vette
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Default

The TH-400 doesn't have a cable for kick down, instead there is an electrical switch activated by the gas peddle. You can adjust it by pulling the switch out all the way and then putting the gas peddle to the floor "setting" the kick down position. To test if it is set right, turn the ignition on without starting the engine, and press the gas to the floor, you should hear a "click" from the tranny.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:16 PM
  #4  
Steve's74's Avatar
Steve's74
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: In the Beautiful Shenandoah Valley of VA
Default

The kickdown on a Turbo 400 is controlled electrically by a switch on the gas pedal. There isn't much adjustment, so you likely have an inactive electrical circuit that needs to be diagnosed.

Steve

:edit:
Same time posts!
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:25 PM
  #5  
Sarge81's Avatar
Sarge81
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: West Seneca New York
Default

'68-'72 THM-400 Detent switch is located on the carburetor.
'73-'77 THM-400 " " " " over the accelerator.

Just a little FYI on the differences.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:41 PM
  #6  
lps&vettes's Avatar
lps&vettes
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
Default

Originally Posted by Sarge81
'68-'72 THM-400 Detent switch is located on the carburetor.
'73-'77 THM-400 " " " " over the accelerator.

Just a little FYI on the differences.
Cool, thanks. Where on the carb? Mine's a ' 72 and the only thing I can see is the TCS solenoid. Am I looking in the wrong place?
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:45 PM
  #7  
7t2vette's Avatar
7t2vette
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Default

The switch is on the gas peddle on a 72, the years are wrong on the other post.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:52 PM
  #8  
lps&vettes's Avatar
lps&vettes
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
Default

Originally Posted by 7t2vette
The switch is on the gas peddle on a 72, the years are wrong on the other post.
7T2vette,
Thanks for the straight skinny. Tomorrow I will adjust as described and post results on Tuesday.

Todd
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?

 Brett Foote
story-5

9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:52 PM
  #9  
Sarge81's Avatar
Sarge81
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: West Seneca New York
Default

Originally Posted by 7t2vette
The switch is on the gas peddle on a 72, the years are wrong on the other post.
I guess the Chilton's manual is wrong. Sorry bout that.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 08:55 PM
  #10  
Swamper's Avatar
Swamper
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Rittman oh
Default

I have a 69 L-68 W/ Th400 and the detent switch is above the gas pedal. To adjust it there is a small hole in the right side of the switch that is actuated by the pedal. Depress the pedal fully and move the switch on it's mounting bracket until the holes line up between the plunger and the housing and the switch. You need to insert a small pin, I used a long allen wrench, to check allignment. I have exact instructions somewhere, I'll keep looking.... Also, there is a vaccum line that comes off the intake that supplies power to the servo (I think). Make sure the vaccum line is intact as well. When I did mine I used a test light at the pedal switch and the had a helper mash the pedal while I tested it at the transmission ( with the ignition on and engine off of course ) I'll see if I can find the manual, my memory fails me at times. Swamper
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 09:16 PM
  #11  
carhound's Avatar
carhound
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Hilton Va
Default

I have a 69. It's kickdown switch is above the gas pedal. I could not find a switch for mine at any of the vendors or trans. shops. What I finally done was to go to NAPA and had them to order a switch for a Subaru (I think an 82-85) or something like that, It is a pushbutton type. It mounts on the carb. I make a bracket and attatched it to it and ran the wires from the original switch wires to the new switch, and it works like a charm. You may be able to find one for your model, but in case you can't, I just thought I let you know of another way to go.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2005 | 09:30 PM
  #12  
lps&vettes's Avatar
lps&vettes
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
Default

Originally Posted by carhound
I have a 69. It's kickdown switch is above the gas pedal. I could not find a switch for mine at any of the vendors or trans. shops. What I finally done was to go to NAPA and had them to order a switch for a Subaru (I think an 82-85) or something like that, It is a pushbutton type. It mounts on the carb. I make a bracket and attatched it to it and ran the wires from the original switch wires to the new switch, and it works like a charm. You may be able to find one for your model, but in case you can't, I just thought I let you know of another way to go.
Carhound,
Thanks for the alternative. If the original switch is dead, that will be good to know!
Todd
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2017 | 11:29 AM
  #13  
RonR80's Avatar
RonR80
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 241
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

My 70 is on the gas pedal also , and thanks for the info mine is not working , I'll have a look at it .
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2017 | 03:26 AM
  #14  
Primoz's Avatar
Primoz
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

My 71 also has electrical switch at the gas pedal assembly!
I noticed it when I changed the throttle cable and guess what, I also have a problem with kickdown when I floor it!
I will try the adjustments as well and report back!

https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...ownshift-70-77

Last edited by Primoz; Jun 17, 2017 at 03:28 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2017 | 11:40 AM
  #15  
bigvette1's Avatar
bigvette1
Drifting
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Default

Originally Posted by Sarge81
'68-'72 THM-400 Detent switch is located on the carburetor.
'73-'77 THM-400 " " " " over the accelerator.

Just a little FYI on the differences.
Sarge 81, would you have a diagram of the mounting of the switch on the carb for the 68-72 as I have a 73 and the switch does not want to stay adjusted, crawling under the dash is a chore for a large person. Thanks

Jim
dbc340parks@aol.com
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2017 | 03:04 PM
  #16  
jef602's Avatar
jef602
Intermediate
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Default

What controls the cowl induction hood on 73 to 75 ? Or is the gas pedal switch control both?
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2017 | 09:37 PM
  #17  
'75's Avatar
'75
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Default

Originally Posted by jef602
What controls the cowl induction hood on 73 to 75 ? Or is the gas pedal switch control both?
Pedal switch controls both.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To TH400 kick down adjustment

Old Aug 18, 2017 | 06:17 AM
  #18  
Primoz's Avatar
Primoz
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

Today I tested the kickdown switch and there was no click from heard and during driving kickdown doesn't work either!
My car is a 71 with 350 and th400!
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2017 | 03:16 PM
  #19  
RonR80's Avatar
RonR80
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 241
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Primo , have a look at the wiring under the car left side of tranny , mine was all burnt, I repaired the 2 wires and tested the switch on the pedal and it clicked , test drove the car and it works , I did the adjustment on the pedal with my fingers to see if it moved ok .
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2017 | 09:49 PM
  #20  
69Vett's Avatar
69Vett
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Default

must have 12volts feeding switch.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:38 AM.

story-0
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-1
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette

Slideshow: Check out these easy-to-install upgrades from Extreme Online Store that reshape the look and feel of the C6 Corvette.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-03-23 17:00:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?

There may be some big changes on the horizon.

By Brett Foote | 2026-03-18 06:55:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)

Slideshow: 9 best Corvettes you can buy for half price (and 1 you shouldn't!)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-17 10:20:26


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026

Slideshow: 8 best Corvette of Amelia Island 2026

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-11 09:28:52


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!

Slideshow: Top 10 worst Corvette engineering failures

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-10 17:38:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)

Slideshow: 10 records the C8 Corvette generation has SMASHED (& 1 glaring failure).

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-02 11:16:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made

Out of the many Corvette concepts that exist, these are by far the wildest of the bunch.

By Brett Foote | 2026-03-02 11:03:54


VIEW MORE