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How to adjust the trans kick down cable?

N

nsxxtreme

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I got my motor finally running again. So I now have a freshly rebuilt motor. My new problem is the transmission is not down shifting when you stomp on the gas. I'm think the kick down cable needs to be adjusted. I 'm looking for someone to explain how to adjust it.

I also replaced the trans filter and oil. How many quarts of oil do they takes? I think I dumped 8 quarts in.
 
On a 700R4 it's not a kickdown cable. It's called a TV cable and it controls throttle valve pressure. If this is not set correctly then you'll burn up the trans in very short order. There is a misconception on this cable, you don't adjust this cable but rather set it. Basically, you'll find a little metal tab on the housing of the cable (just behind the bracket that holds it in place), push that metal tab in and while doing so you need to push the housing towards the firewall. Now you just need to fully open the throttle which will "Set" the cable where it needs to be by moving the housing making the cable the length it needs to be. You probably will hear a clicking sound as the housing moves within itself and is set.
 
4X4HIGH said:
On a 700R4 it's not a kickdown cable. It's called a TV cable and it controls throttle valve pressure. If this is not set correctly then you'll burn up the trans in very short order. There is a misconception on this cable, you don't adjust this cable but rather set it. Basically, you'll find a little metal tab on the housing of the cable (just behind the bracket that holds it in place), push that metal tab in and while doing so you need to push the housing towards the firewall. Now you just need to fully open the throttle which will "Set" the cable where it needs to be by moving the housing making the cable the length it needs to be. You probably will hear a clicking sound as the housing moves within itself and is set.
Click to expand...

Excellent thanks! I'll check this when I get home. I'm guessing this tranny is going to burn itself up soon anyway. No telling how long the previous owner was running 35s and 3.73 gears. I bought 4.56s for it but haven't put them in yet. I need to find a place that sells (for a decent price) or rents the magnetic micrometer so I can set the backlash.

I'm not looking forward to pulling that tranny out I have my fingers crossed that it will last a while.
 
Speedometer stoped working last night driving the truck home. I can't think of any reason it would stop working unless it has a plastic gear that burnt up or something. Any ideas?
 
What year is the vehicle? 1989 and earlier used a cable but 1990 and newer are electric. There could be several reasons why it stopped working.
 
Its an 87 its definetely a cable. It was kinda jerky before it failed then just stopped working.
 
Pull the cable out an d i'll bet it's twisted up or broken. I'm pretty sure IIRC you need to disconnect the cable from thew speedo head and pull the cable out from the top side.
 
could be the speedo gear mine on my 86 tapped out just a month ago, and i was runnin a 700r4 on 35" wheels with 3:08 gears, i know my bad workin on it. im not sure if that could affect the speedo gears but could be a possibility
 
no luck on setting the TV cable, transmision still wont kick down. It does fine if you come to a stop and go. But if you wanted to pass someone and you floor it it will not drop a gear.
 
can you see the ratcheting portion of the tv cable? Seen them where the ratcheting marks are worn flat and won't stay set.
 
cybrfire said:
can you see the ratcheting portion of the tv cable? Seen them where the ratcheting marks are worn flat and won't stay set.
Click to expand...
Its definetly staying set. I have it pulled all the way out. Meaning I can't pull the cable housing any further in the direction of the firewall. When I stomp on it it never downshifts.
 
4X4HIGH said:
On a 700R4 it's not a kickdown cable. It's called a TV cable and it controls throttle valve pressure. If this is not set correctly then you'll burn up the trans in very short order. There is a misconception on this cable, you don't adjust this cable but rather set it. Basically, you'll find a little metal tab on the housing of the cable (just behind the bracket that holds it in place), push that metal tab in and while doing so you need to push the housing towards the firewall. Now you just need to fully open the throttle which will "Set" the cable where it needs to be by moving the housing making the cable the length it needs to be. You probably will hear a clicking sound as the housing moves within itself and is set.
Click to expand...
ok so I pulled the cable towards the firewall as far as it would go. I released the button then opened the throttle all the way. The cable does not ratchet out. Just stays in the same position. This dman cable is irratating.

Could the broken speedometer cable be contributing to this? I get a code 24 which is speed sensor fault Which I was reading controls the Transmission Converter Clutch, dont know what that is or what it does.
 
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Give the actual cable a tug and see if it feels spring loaded (it should). If it does not then there is something wrong with either the cable or the valve body of the transmission. It could be that the cable ir broken. Remove the screw holding the housing at the trans case and lift the housing out to see if the cable is still attached to the rod that goes to the valve body.

Whatever you do, DO NOT drive this vehicle until you have this fixed or you'll be buying a new trans really quick.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Give the actual cable a tug and see if it feels spring loaded (it should). If it does not then there is something wrong with either the cable or the valve body of the transmission. It could be that the cable ir broken. Remove the screw holding the housing at the trans case and lift the housing out to see if the cable is still attached to the rod that goes to the valve body.

Whatever you do, DO NOT drive this vehicle until you have this fixed or you'll be buying a new trans really quick.
Click to expand...

The cable itself is spring loaded but the ratcheting part is not.
The car shifts fine while driving it just will not do a detent shift down when smashing the pedal. If you slow down it down shifts and then up shifts properly. Its just that once your in a gear say third and smash the pedal it wont down shift.

Thinking about taking it to a trans shop but I hate taking anything to a mechanic. All they do is guess at what the problem is and you pay them for "guessing". If they guess wrong you still pay and pay for their next "guess" as well. You can waste alot of money and do a lot of unneccassary repairs by going to a "qualified mechanic"
 
Sounds like you need to find a new shop to deal with. Around here any tranny shop would take it for a test drive for free. From what you're saying now it sounds like everything is working properly but you just aren't getting a "downshift" at higher speeds. There are different valve bodies and some won't allow downshifts after a certain speed/RPM
 
I'll put in what little I know. The TV cable moves 1.59" total. If it doesn't pull out all the way it won't get the 2 to 1 downshift. The 2 to 1 is the hardest one to get. IF the fluid is low it can also affect downshifts. the trans holds a minimum of 11 qts, including convertor. I have been told that you can't hurt a 700r4 by overfilling it but that still makes me nervous.
I got this info from Bowtie overdrives.
 
Bowtie Overdrives has an excellent article on the TV cable. Its function and how to adjust it. If you pulled the cable out All the way with out using the linkage, the relationship to the throttle may be off. I would recommend going the the BTO site and read about it. It was very helpful in informing me about its use. Not setting it properly will damage your tranny VERY quickly. Ask me how I know. I'm not a very good mechanic, but their article was easy to understand. Hope it's helpful to you.
 
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