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Kickdown Switch not working!!

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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 05:53 AM
  #1  
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Default Kickdown Switch not working!!

I recently (like yesterday) disconnected the electric choke on my carb (Demon 650) and now my kickdown switch doesn't work. I have the TH400 and have checked that the gas pedal is depressing the switch under the dash but still nothing. Did disconnecting the choke cause it?

Thanks! :thumbs:
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 07:48 AM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Mystery Machine)

Choke not related to trans kickdown. Try this, dis-connect the kickdown wire where it attaches to the drivers side of trans and connect one end of test light or volt meter to the wire and the other to ground. Then put the key to the on position with engine not running. Floor the gas and see if the light lights or meter registers. if you get a power there with the pedal floored then i would suspect a bad kickdown solonoid inside the trans pan. Must first get a signal there for it to work. If no signal there check for power to the pedal switch and switch function. When I still had a th400, I had to adjust the pedal switch since it wasnt being activated with floored pedal, and I also had to replace the solonoid in the pan.
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 07:50 AM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Jvette73)

On the other hand, if the choke and kickdown are on the same fused circut them maybe messin with choke wire could have poped a common fuse.
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 07:54 AM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Jvette73)

Thanks. I will try the test light first. If the choke and kickdown switch are on the same circuit, where would that fuse be? :confused:
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 08:07 AM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Mystery Machine)

Unless someone installed an inline fuse somewhere, then the fuses would be in the fuse panel under the dash above drivers left foot. On a 73 there shouldnt be a choke circut since 73 had a heat riser choke. But its possible that when whoever plumbed in the line for your current elec choke that it used the same circut as the kickdown does. Sorry im not sure off the top of my head exactly which fuse it is. Although it probably powers more than just the kickdown. Many times several different things are on one fused circut.
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 08:09 AM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Mystery Machine)

So why did you dis-connect the elec choke?
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 09:04 AM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Jvette73)

Thanks for the info. Well, it kept messing up. The high idle would rev way to high...even when I adjusted it down. It would only work every so often and then if I got on it while driving the butterfly valve would close! Weird I know. ANy suggestions? It's brand new carb...Demon 650.

Thanks again! :thumbs:
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 09:19 AM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Mystery Machine)

Something simpler and quicker then the test light would be the solenoid for the door on the cowl induction. It is on the same switch as the kick down. With key on and engine off, press the throttle to the floor and listen for the click of the cowl induction solenoid. That will confirm that the switch at the throttle is working.

tom...
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 01:28 PM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Jvette73)

This question is for Jvette73. Did you replace the kick down solenod in the transmission yourself? How hard is it? I need to replace the one in my 75.
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 03:47 PM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Tom73)

Forgive me...I am stupid :conehead But I had no idea there was an electric solenoid for the cowl induction hood! What does it do? Open up an air intake or something? Boy, I really need to learn more about my car!!!! :leaving:

Thanks for all the help by the way! I'm gonna get on it this weekend and hopefully get it fixed! :thumbs:
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 03:49 PM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (eddadams)

eddadams, yes I replaced the solonoid myself and it a simple job. Just drop the trans pan and follow the wire to the solonoid. Its held on by two bolts. Unkook the wire and remove the bolts and it comes right off. I cant remember for sure but theyre may be an o-ring or gasket of some kind between the solonoid and trans case. its a simple job. The worst part is dropping the pan which sometimes gets messy with fluid spillage. I usually loosen all the pan bolts a bit then work from one end, either front or back and begin to loosen and remove from one end. Before removing the ones at one end pop the seal with a screwdriver and the pan will tilt down and begin to dump fluid. loosen the bolts some more and the pan will tilt down more and dump more fluid. let it drain like that for a while. Then come back and push it up flush to the case and remove the remaining bolts at the one end. Then carefully lower the pan level so as not to dump the remaining fluid all over everything and yourself.
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 03:52 PM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Mystery Machine)

When you floor the pedal the switch opens the flap in the cowl to allow the engine to draw more cooler air from the cowl instead of hot air from the snorkles. I blocked my snorkels and removed the flap in the hood so now it pulls cooler air all the time.
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 04:15 PM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Jvette73)

Thanks Jvette 73. I will try it myself
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Old Apr 24, 2003 | 04:30 PM
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Default Re: Kickdown Switch not working!! (Mystery Machine)

Forgive me...I am stupid :conehead But I had no idea there was an electric solenoid for the cowl induction hood! What does it do? Open up an air intake or something?
Take a look here: cowl induction Just another helpful page from The '73 Spot

tom...
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