Trans Kickdown

[drdave69]

The trans kickdown on my 454 with TH400 does not work. I removed the switch at the accelerator pedal and tested it with my meter and there is continuity when sliding the switch. I looked at my wiring diagram and did not find this switch (or the switch in the trans). The accelerator switch has purple w/black and black wires. The switch in the trans is orange and a black wire.

Any help with exactly how this is supposed to work would be appreciated.

[1970mcss]

Dave, does the car still have the TCS solenoid and relay?? I believe the purple and black wire runs from the switch at the pedal to the relay on the gutter on the fire wall. The orange and black wire runs from the relay to the switch on the transmission (drivers side). I can double check my car tonight when I get home.

[MC-71]

Paul Can you post a picture of the accelerator purple/black and black wires?

[1970mcss]

Carl, at the pedal?? Or relay??

[MC-71]

Both if you can.The wires on the kick down inside the car are Orange and Tan. Bought it from year one years ago. Those wires go to the tranny. There is a Packard connector. I never thought it worked well.🥴

can you post two pictures showing the wires inside and in the engine compartment? I don’t have that TCS set up anymore.

[1970mcss]

Here is what I have. It  looks like purple at the relay. I tried to crawl under the carbut not a great picture

[drdave69]

I will look at my wiring again and validate what color wires at each location. I have not looked for the relay on the firewall gutter yet. Heck, I didn't even know this setup was called TCS. I'd like to know a little more on how it works. Such as, does the pedal switch send a 12v signal thru one wire when the switch is activated?

[MC-71]

Charles I took a couple of pictures of my setup. I think my kick down bracket is incorrect. Check out my pic. It’s different from the way yours look. Maybe some other members can post pictures. I also posted a picture where my relay is. I think? My Monte never had this set up. I installed it my self.

 

 

 

[MC-71]

I just checked the assembly manual for a 71. I think my switch is installed right. The plunger is close to the A/C plenum because I installed a OEM A/C system. Heater Box should of been move a 1/4” to the right. I can trim the plunger. The assembly manual also tells you how to adjust the switch. It’s with the picture.

[rsorg]

Guys, so the switch can be adjusted, where my pedal touches my switch it was not proper so i added some black fuel line hose to the switch so the gas pedal would touch the switch and kick down the trans when i stepped on the throttle, sure like to get this corrected the right way thanks, roger

[drdave69]

I checked all of my wiring and here is what I have: At the pedal switch is an Orange wire and a Purple w/black  line wire. The relay on the firewall gutter has a Green, a Blue and a Black/Purple wire (the relay appears to be an original since it looks old). The wiring at the trans has an Orange and I think a Black wire (did not jack up the car to verify the dark colored wire is black). Now I just need to figure out where and what is working or not. Some guidance would be appreciated.

[drdave69]

I just checked my switch at the pedal with power and my meter. There is 12v with the key on and switch in the resting position and both leads on the two wires. When the switch is depressed there is 0v. Is this correct. It seems opposite to me.

[drdave69]

Finally got around to working on the kickdown solenoid a couple of weekends ago. Ordered a new solenoid, pan gasket and filter. Dropped the trans pan, cleaned everything up and replaced the pan gasket and filter. Swapped the solenoid and buttoned everything up. Initially put too much fluid back into the trans and ended up siphoning some of it out. Drove the for for about 30 miles and the kickdown now works. WooHoo.

[1970mcss]

That's great news, congrats

[curtish57]

Does anyone know if this is the same setup for a 70 with a th400? Or is it a switch on the carb? I can't find an answer in the 70 assembly manual. 

[jft69z]

3 minutes ago, curtish57 said:

Does anyone know if this is the same setup for a 70 with a th400? Or is it a switch on the carb? I can't find an answer in the 70 assembly manual. 

Look at pages 748-750 in the 70 assembly manual, also called M40, sheet A6. 

[curtish57]

You are awesome thank you!

Do you know a good source for the trans control wire assembly? I bought the bracket, switch and I have a new th400 engine harness on order so I should have the connector to the trans itself but I haven't been able to locate the wire assembly. 

My car was a 350/350 that I am changing to 454/400 so I need all the stuff to go with the new setup. 

[jft69z]

10 minutes ago, curtish57 said:

 

Do you know a good source for the trans control wire assembly? I bought the bracket, switch and I have a new th400 engine harness on order so I should have the connector to the trans itself but I haven't been able to locate the wire assembly. 

 

Are you looking for the wire that goes from the pedal switch to the engine compartment harness, or something else? 

[curtish57]

yes exactly. I think the wire from the harness down to the trans will be in the new engine wiring harness I have on order. 

[jft69z]

Just now, curtish57 said:

yes exactly. I think the wire from the harness down to the trans will be in the new engine wiring harness I have on order. 

I just had one in my hands the other day, while looking into Dave's problem. It's about 8 inches long, with a grommet to go thru the firewall. This is the one that came off my car. If you think that's what you need, I'm pretty sure American Autowire or M&H will have it. Confirm it's the one you need & I'll poke around and find you a part number.

[curtish57]

Ok I will confirm but I believe that is the correct one. Thank you!

[jft69z]

24 minutes ago, curtish57 said:

Ok I will confirm but I believe that is the correct one. Thank you!

I found this, BUT....while looking thru their OEM harness catalog, it says that 1970 doesn't use one, it's part of the engine harness. Below is for 1971-72.

 

https://americanautowire.com/products/transmission-kickdown-harness-ca11896

 

Catalog below, go down to page 51 (of catalog itself, not the .pdf legend page number - Chevelle, Monte, ElCamino section), look under trans kickdown harness.

https://api.americanautowire.com/shopify/catalogs/2020_FF_Catalog_Combined.pdf

 

I'm going to PM you my phone number, It'll be easier & quicker to help you.

[curtish57]

Sounds good thank you!

[MC1of80]

Worse case scenario, you need 12v to the switch going in and a wire on the other terminal to the kickdown terminal of the transmission. 

[curtish57]

On 2/24/2022 at 2:10 PM, rsorg said:

Guys, so the switch can be adjusted, where my pedal touches my switch it was not proper so i added some black fuel line hose to the switch so the gas pedal would touch the switch and kick down the trans when i stepped on the throttle, sure like to get this corrected the right way thanks, roger

I seem to have this problem as well. If I understand what you are saying anyway. With my pedal all the way to the floor it doesn't touch the switch at all, like doesn't come close to actuating it. It can only go on one way I think and it matched the assembly manual. Is there a different pedal for this setup? The car was a 350/350 so it didn't come with the switch I installed it.