No kickdown today on my C3 -74
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
No kickdown today on my C3 -74
HI!
When I was cruising today with a friend I did not get the kickdown to work on the Th400 transmission...I tried to do this about three times.
Maybe it was because of the "big" running shoes I had on today?
Is there a switch under the gaspedal to look for, or what could be the cause?
When I was cruising today with a friend I did not get the kickdown to work on the Th400 transmission...I tried to do this about three times.
Maybe it was because of the "big" running shoes I had on today?
Is there a switch under the gaspedal to look for, or what could be the cause?
Last edited by cromwell74; 06-11-2018 at 01:36 PM.
#2
Race Director
i dont know how the th400 works but generally there are either kickdown cables or a vacuum line....look to see if either of those has been compromised
start at the carburetor end of the engine
start at the carburetor end of the engine
Last edited by bobs77vet; 06-11-2018 at 01:48 PM.
#3
Le Mans Master
TH400 has electric kickdown- the switch is mounted inside the car on the bracket for the go pedal. In a quiet spot, with the key on, you can manually operate the switch and "sometimes" hear the solenoid in the trans click. Key word is "sometimes".
Other than that, key on, check for 12v at one side of the switch. Good power there, then pull the connector off of the left front of the trans and check with a 12v testlight while someone pushed the pedal to the floor.
Other than that, key on, check for 12v at one side of the switch. Good power there, then pull the connector off of the left front of the trans and check with a 12v testlight while someone pushed the pedal to the floor.
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cromwell74 (06-12-2018)
#4
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Switch up at the top of the gas pedal arm
failing that, the plug that connects to the transmisson may have come loose/off. Drivers side just behind the shifter cable bracket
If not then you're into chasing electrical or mechanical failures
M
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cromwell74 (06-12-2018)
#6
Race Director
I got a 66 Catalina vert for free a million years ago cuz it needed a trans. The kickdown valve got off center and stayed in downshift mode. Cleaned it up and sold the car for 300 bucks! Something to watch for if a turbo 400 won't upshift.
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
How often is the switch itself at fault?
Or could it also be that is does not move all the way needed to get activated? (it needs some WD40?)
Or could it also be that is does not move all the way needed to get activated? (it needs some WD40?)
Last edited by cromwell74; 06-12-2018 at 07:49 AM.
#8
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Pull the lever on the switch forward and it will reset when you press the pedal to the floor next time. Not really adjustable other than that
M
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cromwell74 (06-12-2018)
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Sometimes the carpet / underlay / mat gets bunched up a little under the gas pedal and may prevent it from going fully "floored" so there is a possibility the switch isn't getting hit. As mentioned above, try testing it by hand and see if you can hear the solenoid (not totally sure you can do this without being under the car...)
Pull the lever on the switch forward and it will reset when you press the pedal to the floor next time. Not really adjustable other than that
M
Pull the lever on the switch forward and it will reset when you press the pedal to the floor next time. Not really adjustable other than that
M
Last edited by cromwell74; 06-12-2018 at 12:14 PM.
#10
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more or less
Pull it forward (towards the seats) and them press the gas pedal all the way down, that will set it to the position it needs to be for it to activate.
Some people have also added a piece of rubber tubing over the pin on the switch to have it activate slightly earlier as it effectively makes the pin larger so it gets hit by the pedal sooner.
M
Pull it forward (towards the seats) and them press the gas pedal all the way down, that will set it to the position it needs to be for it to activate.
Some people have also added a piece of rubber tubing over the pin on the switch to have it activate slightly earlier as it effectively makes the pin larger so it gets hit by the pedal sooner.
M
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cromwell74 (06-19-2018)
#11
Nam Labrat
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Once all of the items above are checked and working properly the kickdown solenoid (valve) inside the transmission can be defective/worn out. It is not hard to change if necessary.....it may be time to change the fluid and filter also...….
Be sure to test the new solenoid while the pan is off the transmission. to make sure it is working properly by pressing on the accelerator pedal (with Key ON/the engine OFF)…….
Be sure to test the new solenoid while the pan is off the transmission. to make sure it is working properly by pressing on the accelerator pedal (with Key ON/the engine OFF)…….
Last edited by doorgunner; 06-13-2018 at 10:33 AM.
#12
Instructor
Thread Starter
more or less
Pull it forward (towards the seats) and them press the gas pedal all the way down, that will set it to the position it needs to be for it to activate.
Some people have also added a piece of rubber tubing over the pin on the switch to have it activate slightly earlier as it effectively makes the pin larger so it gets hit by the pedal sooner.
M
Pull it forward (towards the seats) and them press the gas pedal all the way down, that will set it to the position it needs to be for it to activate.
Some people have also added a piece of rubber tubing over the pin on the switch to have it activate slightly earlier as it effectively makes the pin larger so it gets hit by the pedal sooner.
M
#13
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