My 350 kick down does not seem to be working. Is the switch by the gas pedal or is it activated some other way? Also, could the vac. line going to the trans cause any kind of vacuum leak running symptoms?
The 350 turbo has a cable that comes from the passenger side of the transmission to the linkage side or drivers side of the carb. Bob H.
On the Buick 70-72 Skylark/GS, the cable runs from the transmission to the gas pedal. The cable controls kick down, and influences shift points at wider throttle openings. Only the ST/THM 300/400 have electrical kick downs.
OK, thx. I will check to see if it's connected. So the if the kickdown doesn't work it's probably in the connection betw. gas pedal and trans? Also, is there any vacuum lines from the trans? I noticed a metal line on the back of the intake manifold, is it all metal going to the modulator, or is there any rubber there that may potentially cause a vacuum leak?
The cable may be missing all together, or broken, or not connected. You'll let us know when you look at it:grin: The modulator line is metal with rubber hose on each end, manifold, and modulator. Vacuum leaks, yeah, quite possible. Look at each end carefully.
should be a switch under the gas pedal. has two wires going to it. take it off and test continuity these switches are just plastic and can break.
Larry70gs, on mine the mod. line is metal screwed into the back of intake manifold. Does that mean that it's still rubber on the trans side? Can there be a vac. leak there and the trans still work correctly? More of a rough idle issue and I've fixed all other vac. lines (see other post) I checked by the gas pedal. There are 2 lines, 1 looks like it's pressed on to the gas pedal w/ a small round piece. The other looks like it's pushed too far out and has a metal clip attached to it that's loosely hanging. I'm guessing the 2nd one is the kickdown.
Stock, they had rubber on both ends. It's ok if it screws in at the manifold end, as long as it doesn't leak. Just spray some wd40 around the connection and see if the RPM changes. Could be rubber at the modulator end. Have a look. The cable with the clip is the kick down. At WOT, there should be no slack in the cable. You need a Buick chassis manual. All this is covered there.
So, the kickdown cable by the gas pedal should have slack unless the pedal is floored? It has about 1-2 inches of slack right now. Also what does the clip attach to? Right now it's just hanging on the cable. Pic's would be great if anyone has them
Yes, the cable should reach the end of it's travel when the engine is at full throttle. At no throttle, there will be slack. The pedal end of the cable consist of a thin rod. The clip is designed to slide on that rod. Adjusting it is easy. Just position the clip on the beginning portion of the rod by pinching it with thin nose pliers and moving it. Then floor the gas pedal and the clip will slide on the rod and self adjust. Right out of the Chassis manual. If you don't have one, it should be your first purchase.
I guess what I meant is that the little clip is just dangling loosely on the cable behind the gas pedal. What part does it clip onto?
Here is a picture posted by another member, [/QUOTE] See how the clip is positioned on the rod at the end of the end of the cable?
OK, got it, thx. My clip is all the way at the end of that rod and the white round piece is loose. I tried to move the clip but it seems stuck, any tricks as to getting it to move?
If you look at the clip in the picture, there are 3 tabs at the lower side. Take a pair of long nose pliers, and squeeze all three tabs and the clip will move. The manual tells you to position the clip on the forward portion of the rod, then floor the gas pedal and the clip will slide on the rod and self adjust. You can check the adjustment easily by flooring the gas pedal with your hand and checking for slack in the cable. The cable should reach the end of it's travel at wide open throttle.
Oh crud, I tried to adjust and the clip came off, along with the white grommet. Now I can't seem to get it back on the rod, any suggestions on how to get that thing back on?
Oh, double crud, now the white grommet thingy disappeared. :af: Is it still possible to use the cable without it? Or does anyone sell another grommet? Also, when you compress the clip do you compress all 3 tabs at the same time?
You should use the grommet, find it or match something up at the hardware store. Yes, compress that whole side of the clip.
