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Help - Where does my kick-down wire connect ?

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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 02:28 AM
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Default Help - Where does my kick-down wire connect ?

Morning all,

I've got a 1974 350 with a TH400 trans.

WHERE DOES THE KICK DOWN WIRE CONNECT TO THE TRANS ?

Pics / good descriptions welcome


This combo has never kicked down properly so last night (having read a thread or two about this) I disconnected the kickdown switch and found that it was completely open circuit

Stripped the switch and cured that - now I get a solid 12v at the output of the switch at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle.

So I take the car for a spin - still no extra kick down!

So I take a look under the car - the wire coming out of the firewall is cut at about three inches from the firewall ! and of course there is no wire down to the trans. and I CANNOT see where it should go......

There is a plastic bung at the rear of the gear selector about half way along the trans (driver's side) that looks like it might be the right thing but it seems to have a black plastic cap on it.

Anyone got any pics ??????

Jeremy.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 06:23 AM
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On the driver side of the trans is a plastic plug with a flat spade sticking out of it just above the oil pan, just above the shifter cable.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 07:01 AM
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Originally Posted by redwingvette
On the driver side of the trans is a plastic plug with a flat spade sticking out of it just above the oil pan, just above the shifter cable.
Thank you - that's what I figured - but I can't see one...

I've got a plastic plug about 6 inches rearward of the shifter attachment point - but no spade connector. Unless it is under the black plastic cap.

It is directly above the shifter attachment point ??

Thanks,
Jeremy.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 11:43 AM
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I have a 76 with a TH400. Mine is located a few inches behind the drivers side shift lever and just above the ATF pan. Its a round tan insert with a single male spade connector.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 12:58 PM
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Default 74 vette TH400



these little plastic parts can get brittle; replacements are available.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by langlj00
I've got a plastic plug about 6 inches rearward of the shifter attachment point - but no spade connector. Unless it is under the black plastic cap.
Sounds like your spade terminal is broken off. The only "plastic plug" in the tranny at that location is the kickdown switch - take a look at that "plastic cap" and see if you can't see the broken off spade in the middle of it...
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 04:01 AM
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Default All wired thanks - BUT.......

Originally Posted by lars
Sounds like your spade terminal is broken off. The only "plastic plug" in the tranny at that location is the kickdown switch - take a look at that "plastic cap" and see if you can't see the broken off spade in the middle of it...
Thanks Guys, Great Help

OK so I've found the connector:
The 'black plastic cap' was an old plug on the terminal with no wire going to it.

I've re-wired the dentent solenoid to the kick-down switch and when I operate the switch by hand (with the ignition on) I can hear the solenoid clicking happily in the trans. GREAT or so I thought.

Went for a drive - NO CHANGE

Like I said before:

Lars - any more thoughts ?
The circuit is now working - but I assume that since the thing hasn't been working for many years the internal dentent channels may be blocked ?

Jeremy.
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 03:59 AM
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Lars ?
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 09:00 AM
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give it 100 tries.
still dead?
study trans book
pull pan/valve body
fix!
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 09:36 AM
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push the kick down switch forward all the way; the next time you step on the pedel, all the way, the switch will then be "set". try that before tearing into tranny . . .
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Old Jun 25, 2007 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by S489
push the kick down switch forward all the way; the next time you step on the pedel, all the way, the switch will then be "set". try that before tearing into tranny . . .
Thanks - it's set fine, firing the solenoid in the tranny and flipping the air-dam in the hood.

Just no kick-down

I fixed a friend's switch at the weekend (his had never worked either - and he didn't even know the tranny should kick-down) His works

Now I'm really upset

J.
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