Hi, I just took this (what I think is) kick-down solenoid out from a 72 Electra. Now, the thing is that it doesn't look the same as the one I have installed at the moment. So if someone could confirm that it is the kick-down solenoid for a TH400 that would be great. Thanks
kick down Kimson: There are two styles of solenoids for the TH-400. The one shown in your picture is the desireable unit. The other one is smaller, with an exposed coil. Hope this helps, Jim
Sounds good.... The wire is in bad shape on this one, can I just pry the little tabs open and take it apart, and replace the wire? Or is this something you don't take apart?
wire You can take it apart and get it back together, but, the only thing for the wire to contact when it is installed is the parking rod. The wire should be formed to miss this(assuming most of the insulation there??). You can just install it as-is and it should work fine. Test the solenoid on the bench first to ensure it works and make sure the wire will not contact anything metallic inside the trans and you should be fine. If you decide to replace the wire, it can be difficult as the coil wire is very small gauge and lacquer insulated(hard to get stripped off for good contact) Take your time and use care and you should be OK. Jim
Thanks for the info, the wire doesn't look too happy, maybe I'll just solder on a new piece from the start of this one. My kick-down is not working as it should as of right now, sometimes it's ok, sometimes nothing happens. It got better after I cleaned the solenoid, but I guess it never got fixed.
Kimson why don't you try so shrink tubes for electrical wires the kind you heat and they shrink to fit.
The connector on the end usually precludes this, however, a larger heat-shrink would still provide the needed insulation in this case and it would have nowhere to go! Good idea. Jim
We just fixed one about 2 weeks ago using shrink tubing connector. Take the cover off and bare the wire below where it is soldered into the circuit board. Leave plenty of bare wire. Find a shrink connector that fits and trim the wire so that it will be covered by the shrink tubing and connector. Prepare a wire with connector to fit on the case plug and attach it to one end of the shrink tubing/connector. Attach the new wire and then attach it to the bare wire on the soleniod. Crimp both ends and then heat the tubing to shrink it. Lastly, enlarge the hole in the solenoid cover as necessary to fit over the shrink tubing/connector. Test it and you are done. Mark
I took the lid off, sacrificed one turn on the coil wire, and put it back together with a new wire and contact. It works fine when I'm testing it with the battery charger, so in it will go. Many thanks for the help...
