25 replies to this topic

[Guns n roses]

hey guys i was just wondering if somebody could please tell me how the electric trimatic kickdown switch works??

and whats the best way to adjust them?this is on a v8 lx

cheers

[76lxhatch]

Adjustment is at the bracket where it bolts up by the accelerator pedal

[Guns n roses]

can some 1 please tell me what they actually do??and how they work and by turning it which way does what...

[ls2lxhatch]

The modulator ( vacuum controlled ) is responsible for downshift on light throttle application. When the manifold pressure drops below the threshold due to engine load the modulator will open a valve that can cause the transmission to downshift. Once manifold pressure has increased above the threshold the modulator closes the valve and the transmission can upshift. The manifold pressure drop at 3000+ rpm is typically not sufficient to cause the gearbox to downshift. The kickdown switch/cable is used to open a similar valve at full throttle regardless of engine load.

To adjust the switch you just set it to be activated when the accelerator is close to WOT.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 09 September 2009 - 08:58 PM.

[Guns n roses]

ok thanks for ur help.i have to set up a solenoid between 1 of my gas vapour lines,and they say to wire it up to the electric kickdown.so when the pedal reaches certin point,it makes contact witht he switch and open the solenoid and let the gas flow

[LX2DR]

The electric kickdown switch is self setting.

To make it reset you have to grab the pin (The part the acc pedal hits) on the r/h side and push it forward, it will be kind of hard to shift and will click hard.

You then push down the acc pedal to the floor slowly, again it will click and then be lifted to the right spot.

That should be it.

[Guns n roses]

thanks paul.is that before or after i adjust it?and when i adjust it,what point do i know when to stop?

[LX2DR]

thanks paul.is that before or after i adjust it?and when i adjust it,what point do i know when to stop?

Their is no mounting adjustement, just a braket.

It self adjusts as stated when you move the lever forward and depress the acc pedal.

[76lxhatch]

Their is no mounting adjustement, just a braket.

Are you sure, I thought it was the same as the HQ-WB one which has slotted holes?

[MRLXSS]

See Gaz, i was kinda right! LOL

So I guess now once the gas is rigged up to your kickdown, it will kind of act like a mechanical secondary for your 2nd converter. You'll be able to set it up to open up the certain point of the accelerator travel. In theory, it sounds nice and simple!

Will the kickdown switch always send the pulse or whatever regardless of the engine load? If you are doing like 100 and mash the accelerator, it wont drop to 2nd gear... But is the kickdown still sending the message? If that makes sense?

[ls2lxhatch]

The kickdown switch will always activate at WOT. There are several mechanisms in the gearbox that control shifting, the inputs from the vacuum modulator and kickdown switch are just part of the shift control system. If engine rpm is high the gearbox will not downshift even with the vacuum modulator and kickdown switch activated.

This site has a simple explanation. How Stuff Works

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 10 September 2009 - 11:13 AM.

[surfmaster]

The electronic kickdown on a trimatic is connected to a valve in the transmission, (if you have the sump off the auto it will be the bright silver solenoid bolted near the valve body with two 1/2 inch bolts), when you open the throttle and activate the switch at the pedal it activates the solenoid in the box which dumps pressure and allows (forces?) the transmission to shift down. There is a thread on here somewhere about the solenoid in the box warping at the base and allowing a drop in pressure which prevents the box from shifting up - apparently a not uncommon fault.

[rodomo]

There is a thread on here somewhere about the solenoid in the box warping at the base and allowing a drop in pressure which prevents the box from shifting up - apparently a not uncommon fault.

http://www.gmh-torana.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=25920&view=&hl=kickdown&fromsearch=1

[LX2DR]

Their is no mounting adjustement, just a braket.

Are you sure, I thought it was the same as the HQ-WB one which has slotted holes?

Yep, no mounting adjustment here.
The adjustment is inside the switch only

Edited by LX2DR, 10 September 2009 - 08:02 PM.

[76lxhatch]

Fair enough, I must have been thinking of the pedal itself.

Should be three pedals in a real car anyway

[Guns n roses]

is that just a standard trimatic switch?ill have a look in the morn at mine.

[TerrA LX]

Fair enough, I must have been thinking of the pedal itself.

Should be three pedals in a real car anyway

All Auto hatchbacks have 3 pedals, the REAL ones have 4.

[76lxhatch]

Now why didn't I think of that? Thanks for the correction!

[Guns n roses]

hey lx 2 dr is that standard trimatic switch?cause mine looks diff,,where did you get urs from?

[LX2DR]

hey lx 2 dr is that standard trimatic switch?cause mine looks diff,,where did you get urs from?

Mines factory and the switch is definately standard, this my 2nd 6/auto and they are identical

[fuzzypumper]

Guns N roses, when you say gas do you mean NOS or LPG?

When I had kickdown issues due to the camshaft in my car producing low vacumm at low RPMs it basiaclly wouldnt kickdown
driving around suburbia, in low throttle(out of camshaft powerband) situations, making driveablity bad.
I just extended the kickdown switch wire from the kickdown switch at the accellerator pedal to my T-bar and mounted a
momentery switch just ander the "T" so I could kickdown the traumatic with one finger and get it selecting the lower
gear anytime without having to floor it, wasting fuel, or attracting any unwanted attenting making noise.
I suppose it was alot cheaper than a adjustable modulator at the time.

[Dr Terry]

Hi Guys.

The Tri-Matic kickdown switch changed design in 1976. For HQ, HJ, LJ, TA & LH the switch looked like a brake light switch, it had a 'push button'.

For LX & HX onwards & right thru to Commodore they used the slider type shown in the pictures above. This is why some of you are referring to 2 different switch types.

Dr Terry.

[Guns n roses]

fuzzy ia lpg.

and dr terry thanks for that,i must have he earylier type.up to what model commodore they use the other style??vk vl?

and which 1 is better or are hey the same thing in the end

[rodomo]

Hi Guys.

The Tri-Matic kickdown switch changed design in 1976.

This would say none on Commodore.