See all 8 photos Other than the convenience of automatic downshifts into passing gear at highway speeds, there’s no real need for a simple kickdown cable on those transmissions like this TH350 that have a vacuum modulator. “Kickdown” and “TV” cables aren’t really the same thing.
Can I drive without a kickdown cable?
Shouldn’t be a problem. The cable adjusts system pressure, so shift pressure. With the cable fully retracted it will shift lazy/slip a lot, if the cable was pulled fully out it will shift more firmly, less slip.
How does a TH350 kickdown cable work?
The kickdown function of General Motors vehicles equipped with the Turbo 350 automatic transmission is perhaps better known as “passing gear.” As the accelerator is depressed, the throttle lever on the engine is drawn back by a cable, which in turn pulls another cable attached to the transmission, causing it to …
What is the purpose of a kickdown cable?
One component that helps both drive systems communicate is the kickdown cable. This device helps the engine relay information on revolutions per minute (RPM) to the automatic transmission and essentially tells it that it’s time to shift gears.
What does the vacuum modulator on a Turbo 350 do?
The vacuum modulator is a vital component of automatic transmissions. It tells the transmission what kind of load is being put on it, allowing the transmission to react with the proper line pressures and shift points.
Is kick down bad for car?
No, unless the engine speed increases excessively (in an emergency you will accept this for braking). Just about any vehicle will deny kickdown if your road speed is too high “at that time”. It will put stress on your drivetrain, but this should be well within design parameters.
What is a kick down cable do?
How do you adjust shift points on a Turbo 350?
Get a small flat head screwdriver,go to the passenger side of the transmission. Unhook the vacuum line on the modulator and screw the adjustment screw inwards in 2 turn increments. Screwing it all the way in will give you very hard shifts and will feel very uncomfortable when it shifts at higher speeds.
Where is the kickdown cable located?
The kick down cable is mounted to the carburetor, or, in the case of fuel injected vehicles, the throttle body. It runs from the butterfly arm on the carburetor down to the side of the transmission, where it attaches to an arm that allows the transmission to shift gears.
