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Turbo 400 kickdown switch

9K views 7 replies 3 participants last post by  dc7432 
#1 ·
My transmission doesnt downshifting when I hit the gas. I tested the switch on the gas peddle and I have 12 volts on the terminal closest to the firewall. When I manually move the switch the other terminal goes from 0 volts to 12v then tested the feed at the transmission orange wire has 12 volts with the black (ground?) at 0 volts. When I start the car the switch at the pedel doesnt move, it stays at the last location. Should it "slide" up to the pedlal? Need a new kickdown switch? I bought the switch new last year and just installed so maybe its defective. I beleive the vacuum is only for upshifting that works fine. Car is a 71 chevelle with a 402, thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
Dale
look at the pedal when your pushing down on it, it should be making contact with the switch. when you floor it should make contact & slide the switch to engage it. once your pedal slides the switch then it will send a signal to engage. there's not a lot of adjustment for the pedal to switch contact. what I did with mine is I slid a piece of 3/8 gas line over that barrel part of the switch. this made the contact area thicker for the pedal to move the switch. works like a charm. hope I explained it good enough.got too have passing gear hooked up:thumbsup: unless you go with a quick silver floor shifter, which I just did:D. good luck. hmardown
 
#4 ·
My transmission doesnt downshifting when I hit the gas. I tested the switch on the gas peddle and I have 12 volts on the terminal closest to the firewall. When I manually move the switch the other terminal goes from 0 volts to 12v then tested the feed at the transmission orange wire has 12 volts with the black (ground?) at 0 volts. When I start the car the switch at the pedel doesnt move, it stays at the last location. Should it "slide" up to the pedlal? Need a new kickdown switch? I bought the switch new last year and just installed so maybe its defective. I beleive the vacuum is only for upshifting that works fine. Car is a 71 chevelle with a 402, thanks in advance.
I slid a piece of 3/8 gas line over that barrel part of the switch. this made the contact area thicker for the pedal to move the switch.
For the '70 and newer switch, the switch has to be moved fully forward, then it self-adjusts the first time you put the pedal to the carpet. There is no need to put hose over the actuator peg.
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301666
Especially post 16



SOMEDAY I'll stumble across a '68--'69 switch to see how they're different in terms of adjustment from the newer version.
 
#6 ·
Thanks Carlo,

Havent fixed the problem yet, I bought a new switch at the pedal and read you can test the kickdown solenoid by putting 12v to the top terminal and grounding to the frame. Another post didnt recommend this. Has anyone tested the switch? I'm getting 12v on the top and 0 on the bottom. If its bad I assume I need to drop the pan? thanks.
 
#7 ·
Thanks Carlo,

Havent fixed the problem yet, I bought a new switch at the pedal and read you can test the kickdown solenoid by putting 12v to the top terminal and grounding to the frame. Another post didnt recommend this. Has anyone tested the switch? I'm getting 12v on the top and 0 on the bottom. If its bad I assume I need to drop the pan? thanks.
Switch, or solenoid? Switch is at the gas pedal, solenoid is on the valve body, requires pan removal.

A photo of how you're doing this test would be nice.
 
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