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

My '73 doesn't seem to downshift

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 29, 2004 | 12:35 PM
  #1  
vvv90's Avatar
vvv90
Thread Starter
Race Director
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,268
Likes: 14
From: Honolulu, HI
Default My '73 doesn't seem to downshift

When I punch it, it just bogs...like the Q-jets are famous for I guess.

Is the downshift controlled by a cable? Or vacuum? What should I look for the diagnose this?

Thanks.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2004 | 02:04 PM
  #2  
mayberg's Avatar
mayberg
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Default Re: My '73 doesn't seem to downshift (vvv90)

I replied to your other post.

So, you do have a problem with the kick-down. Hmmmm.....I'm sure there's a paper somewhere, but I'll write what I can from memory.

There's a single-wire connection near the tail end of the transmission on the driver side. This goes to the solenoid inside the transmission that controls the kick-down. This wire is fired by the switch up by the gas pedal. When you turn the key on before starting the car, you should be able to floor the gas pedal and hear the flap door in your cowl induction open up (I confirm this each time I start the car). The same switch that powers the flap door controls the trans kick-down.

If you don't hear the flap door, then follow the gas pedal lever up under the dash to where the switch is. It's a simple spring-loaded depress switch that's actuated mechanically by the gas pedal lever. On my car, there seems to be a sleeve around the sleeve pin - giving it some additional leverage. It slips off occasionally, and no-more kick-down. You could also consider a slight bend in the gas pedal level linkage to adjust.

So, if the flap door is working, then let's confirm whether the trans kick-down is working. Disconnect the light brown wire connection near the headlights - the wire going up the hood is for the flap door. Then do the pedal-to-the-metal test again with the ignition on but the car not started. You should be able to hear an ever-so-slight click coming from under the car. If you don't, there's no connection to the solenoid in the transmission, or the solenoid is busted.

All hope is not lost. On my car, there's two possible connections on the wire going to the transmission, but only one wire in the connector. I just pulled it out and repositioned the connector to use the other one, and viola' we have kick-down!

I'm no help if you have to dig down into the transmission. Good luck. GM
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2004 | 02:09 PM
  #3  
Fevre's Avatar
Fevre
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Default Re: My '73 doesn't seem to downshift (vvv90)

Check this thread out, might give you the extra umph you are looking for:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=583416
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2004 | 02:48 PM
  #4  
Gage's Avatar
Gage
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 923
Likes: 4
From: Austin Tx
Default Re: My '73 doesn't seem to downshift (vvv90)

Hello, My 72 has the same problem. As did my 67 GTO (same tranny and gas pedal switch) The issue once we confirmed that voltage was getting to switch and switch was sending voltage to tranny when activated was that the pedal was not activating the switch. Since their is no adjustment on the switch that I can figure out, we taped a small piece of 3/8 fuel line to the switch lever to make it fatter so the pedal would hit the lever and thus go far enough to activate it. Changing the thickness of the lever allows you to determine how far you have to hit the pedal to get the downshift. I like the downshift to happen sooner than the factory setting which requires you to floor it. It like it to happen around 3/4 throttle.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To My '73 doesn't seem to downshift





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:56 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE