what is a kickdown cable? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

willett · 03-13-2009, 12:24 AM

hey guys, bit of an idiot question....
where is it and what does it do?

87c10slammer · 03-13-2009, 12:30 AM

it is a cable that is connected to your throttle and to the tranny... when you press the gas from half throttle to full tilt it makes the tranny kick down into a lower gear and allows you to pass someone easier or to pick up speed faster... some are vacum controled though and im pretty sure our trucks are.. mine no longer is but thats another story...

willett · 03-13-2009, 12:33 AM

i was lookin on my truck's gas pedal, and when the pedal arm passes a certian point it pushes a sliding switch.

is this kickdown actuation or something else?

also i had hear that either the turbo 400 or the 700r doesn't have one. wich is it (if either)?

88 Dippy · 03-13-2009, 01:32 AM

700-R4 needs to have one hooked up (bad things happen) someTH350 have a Kick down as well but it is not need as mutch as the 700-R4. i think TH400 where only vauum

please correct me if i am wrong

BLE 'BURBAN · 03-13-2009, 01:32 AM

Your 78 model has a TH400 from the factory backing up your 454BB.
The tranny has an electric kick down that is activated by that switch you see above your GO-PEDAL. The TH350, TH200 & early model TH700R4 trannys were all cable actuated. My '90 V2500 Suburban has a TH400 but no switch mounted above the GO-PEDAL like yours. Instead it's controlled by the Throttle Position Sensor on the throttle body through the computer.

Both the TH350 & the TH400 have a vacuum modulator on them as well that help control the kickdown. The TH700R4 doesn't have one. Not very familiar with the TH200 though

mhicks · 03-13-2009, 07:26 AM

The 700R4 has what they call a TV (throttle valve) cable. It actually regulates the flow of tansmission fluid in the tranny.

willett · 03-16-2009, 03:51 AM

thanks for the info guys!

03-13-2009, 12:24 AM	#1
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	what is a kickdown cable? hey guys, bit of an idiot question.... where is it and what does it do? __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"

03-13-2009, 12:30 AM	#2
87c10slammer truck addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: levittown pa Posts: 154	Re: what is a kickdown cable? it is a cable that is connected to your throttle and to the tranny... when you press the gas from half throttle to full tilt it makes the tranny kick down into a lower gear and allows you to pass someone easier or to pick up speed faster... some are vacum controled though and im pretty sure our trucks are.. mine no longer is but thats another story... __________________ trucks

03-13-2009, 12:33 AM	#3
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Re: what is a kickdown cable? i was lookin on my truck's gas pedal, and when the pedal arm passes a certian point it pushes a sliding switch. is this kickdown actuation or something else? also i had hear that either the turbo 400 or the 700r doesn't have one. wich is it (if either)? __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"

03-13-2009, 01:32 AM	#4
88 Dippy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: mt. Pleasant, MI Posts: 246	Re: what is a kickdown cable? 700-R4 needs to have one hooked up (bad things happen) someTH350 have a Kick down as well but it is not need as mutch as the 700-R4. i think TH400 where only vauum please correct me if i am wrong __________________ 1974 chevy Cheyenne C10 "The Mutt":4x4 convertion, NP208, 700-R4, stock 350, edelbrock Torker intake, edelbrock 600 CFM carb, duels 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT: 3.8L supercharged, 9.2:1 comprestion, ZZP XP cam, home made intake, 2 1/2" exhuast, 10psi of boost

03-13-2009, 01:32 AM	#5
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: what is a kickdown cable? Your 78 model has a TH400 from the factory backing up your 454BB. The tranny has an electric kick down that is activated by that switch you see above your GO-PEDAL. The TH350, TH200 & early model TH700R4 trannys were all cable actuated. My '90 V2500 Suburban has a TH400 but no switch mounted above the GO-PEDAL like yours. Instead it's controlled by the Throttle Position Sensor on the throttle body through the computer. Both the TH350 & the TH400 have a vacuum modulator on them as well that help control the kickdown. The TH700R4 doesn't have one. Not very familiar with the TH200 though __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade Last edited by BLE 'BURBAN; 03-13-2009 at 01:36 AM.

03-13-2009, 07:26 AM	#6
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: what is a kickdown cable? The 700R4 has what they call a TV (throttle valve) cable. It actually regulates the flow of tansmission fluid in the tranny. Last edited by mhicks; 03-13-2009 at 07:27 AM.

03-16-2009, 03:51 AM	#7
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Re: what is a kickdown cable? thanks for the info guys! __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"



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