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

No kickdown today on my C3 -74

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-11-2018, 01:33 PM
  #1  
cromwell74
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
cromwell74's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 154
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default 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?

Last edited by cromwell74; 06-11-2018 at 01:36 PM.
Old 06-11-2018, 01:47 PM
  #2  
bobs77vet
Race Director
 
bobs77vet's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2004
Location: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Posts: 11,863
Received 255 Likes on 225 Posts

Default

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

Last edited by bobs77vet; 06-11-2018 at 01:48 PM.
Old 06-11-2018, 02:54 PM
  #3  
TimAT
Le Mans Master
 
TimAT's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: Gladstone MO
Posts: 7,121
Received 424 Likes on 385 Posts
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019

Default

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.
The following users liked this post:
cromwell74 (06-12-2018)
Old 06-11-2018, 04:09 PM
  #4  
Mooser
Race Director
 
Mooser's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: North of Toronto - Ontario
Posts: 10,854
Received 3,136 Likes on 2,069 Posts

Default



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
The following users liked this post:
cromwell74 (06-12-2018)
Old 06-12-2018, 02:24 AM
  #5  
cromwell74
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
cromwell74's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 154
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Thanks for your great advices!
Hope I can get this fixed!
Old 06-12-2018, 07:23 AM
  #6  
derekderek
Race Director
 
derekderek's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2015
Location: SW Florida.
Posts: 13,020
Received 3,387 Likes on 2,632 Posts
Default

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.
Old 06-12-2018, 07:34 AM
  #7  
cromwell74
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
cromwell74's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 154
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

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?)

Last edited by cromwell74; 06-12-2018 at 07:49 AM.
Old 06-12-2018, 10:53 AM
  #8  
Mooser
Race Director
 
Mooser's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: North of Toronto - Ontario
Posts: 10,854
Received 3,136 Likes on 2,069 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by cromwell74
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?)
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
The following users liked this post:
cromwell74 (06-12-2018)
Old 06-12-2018, 12:13 PM
  #9  
cromwell74
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
cromwell74's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 154
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Mooser
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
I can try to reset the the switch... So, I just pull the lever forward...should it after that like snap backwards right away or something?

Last edited by cromwell74; 06-12-2018 at 12:14 PM.
Old 06-12-2018, 07:40 PM
  #10  
Mooser
Race Director
 
Mooser's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: North of Toronto - Ontario
Posts: 10,854
Received 3,136 Likes on 2,069 Posts

Default

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
The following users liked this post:
cromwell74 (06-19-2018)
Old 06-13-2018, 10:27 AM
  #11  
doorgunner
Nam Labrat

Support Corvetteforum!
 
doorgunner's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: New Orleans Loo-z-anna
Posts: 33,883
Received 4,153 Likes on 2,726 Posts

Default

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)…….







Last edited by doorgunner; 06-13-2018 at 10:33 AM.
Old 06-19-2018, 05:15 AM
  #12  
cromwell74
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
cromwell74's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2016
Location: Europe
Posts: 154
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Mooser
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
Yes, I got this solved (I think...I have not driven the car yet)...the switch was not moving all the way to activate so I put a rubber tube over the pin on the switch and now I can hear this click from the solenoid when I press the pedal to the floor.
Old 06-19-2018, 06:50 AM
  #13  
Mooser
Race Director
 
Mooser's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: North of Toronto - Ontario
Posts: 10,854
Received 3,136 Likes on 2,069 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by cromwell74
Yes, I got this solved (I think...I have not driven the car yet)...the switch was not moving all the way to activate so I put a rubber tube over the pin on the switch and now I can hear this click from the solenoid when I press the pedal to the floor.

Get notified of new replies

To No kickdown today on my C3 -74




Quick Reply: No kickdown today on my C3 -74



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:05 PM.