no kick down

[jpliddy]

hi all
i don't seem to have kick down on my 940 tdi auto ZF HP22 .i don't try it very often just went for a run on open road to clear the soot and sure lockdown did not engage
i don't know a lot about this problem how it works etc
so advice most welcome

[ngoma]

Are you talking about kickdown (automatic downshift under heavy accelerator pressure) or torque converter lockup (locks torque converter above 46-48 MPH in top gear, acts similar to overdrive)?

[jpliddy]

yes gnoma
the auto shift kick down under heavy acceleration .is this another cable that activates this operation
regards jim

[ngoma]

No kickdown-- that is a very bad for the AT.

Dr. Dan explained to me that it could burn out an AT in no time.

There is a method for adjusting the cable preload for proper operation in the green book that I don't have. Something about the specific distance of a crimped-on ball on the cable from the end of the cable housing.

Hopefully someone with the manual can give you the method.

[jpliddy]

hi nagoma
thanks for reply
i have the green book but have trouble understanding it at times
i never really go much above 3000RPM
so does this mean i won't damage my AT /automatic transmission or doe the
kick down cable effect some thing else that can damage my car
regards jim
i see the cable with the crimp stop thought that was to do with the cold start ticker its set about 10mm from drum stop but travels in when cold start has done its job

[ngoma]

Yes, kickdown cable malfunction can damage the AT, not so much from high RPMs but from heavy loads imposed even at low RPMs when in too high of a gear (lack of kickdown will not allow the AT to downshift when required).

It is its own separate cable wrapped around the throttle drum in its own special slot that lines up with the cable housing mounted threaded for adjustment on the bracket, then the cable routes down to the AT, entering down near the dipstick tube.

IIRC, that crimped bead should be a few mm's out from the end of the cable housing with the engine warmed up. Not sure the real mm distance. Sometimes the cable can get derailed into the wrong slot on the drum. Sometimes the cable can snap, sometimes unhooked from the cam in the AT itself.

If you are motoring along on the flat road at say 35 MPH, if you boot the accelerator the AT should immediately automatically downshift 1 or 2 gears and get you some quick acceleration. If not you have a problem.

[jpliddy]

hi Ngoma
im a bit stuck as on how to progress my email is [redacted]
could i send you some photos of my cable set up perhaps you could advise when
you see photos i can take just send your email and i will get straight back
regards jim

[ngoma]

Risky putting your email address out in the open like that-- your email address is out there for the whole world to see, so it opens up your inbox to spammers and phishers. I removed it for your cybersafety. Better to use the private messaging feature of this forum.

Did you test? Does the AT not automatically downshift when flooring the accelerator when cruising at 40 MPH?

Here are some photos to show the correct kickdown cable routing.

Crimped bead on cable.
P1030996.JPG

Kickdown adjuster
P1040002.JPG

KD cable in correct groove in spool
P1030997.JPG

KD cable end in correct groove in spool
P1040001.JPG

[jpliddy]

hi
thanks Nogoma for your photos my set up looks the same !
but if you woud like to reply to my email i will send you photos of my set up
i put a new cable on many years ago and followed the same path .
its strange that i cant notice the kick down after all these years though
some thing i don't use with my driving . but it seems concerning now
regards jim

[ngoma]

When you replaced the cable the old one must have been broken?

Did it fray and come apart somewhere?

Did you notice the kickdown worked again after replacing the cable?

When you pull the cable forward from the cable housing and let it go does it snap back?

Can you hear the actuator cam that the cable attaches to in the tranny also snapping back (it has to be quiet out to be able to hear it)?