Hey guys, I have a TH400 at home in the shop. What is the best or correct ways to see if the kickdown switch/solenoid that is working. Do not have tranny cover off, so I have the 2 contacts on the outside. How can I check this. Can I manually force it to click or continuity test? How would you properly do a continuity test? Apply 12 volts? Or is 12 volts to much? Help plz. Hate to install in car and find out it does not work.
The kick down switch at the gas pedal can be tested with a multimeter(set on ohms). The solenoid in the pan can be tested by applying 12 volts to the vertical connection at the transmission and listening for a click emanating from the pan. You need to ground the transmission when you do that.
Okay, so when you say ground the transmission, you mean running a ground wire say from a bolt or piece of clean metal to something metal in my shop? Aluminum casing no good for ground right? Can't use the negative side of battery as ground right?
No, not to any metal in the shop. The negative terminal of the battery is best for your purposes. You need a complete circuit for electricity to flow. Try hooking to the shift lever at the transmission.
Okay, so positive post of battery to verticle tab in switch. A wire from neg post of battery to the horizontal tab or to a bolt on the transmission or bracket. Don't have the trans in car so touch to hood to shifter.
No, Connect a wire from the negative terminal of the battery to the shifter lever on the transmission. The lever is the part that rotates on the transmission when you shift gears. Another wire from the positive of the battery. Just touch that to the vertical spade on the transmission. The solenoid should click when you touch it, and click when you remove it.
Jason, Anyone ever tell you that you worry too much:laugh: They very rarely go bad. If they do, go to a transmission shop. That is where I got mine.
Dude, you crack me up!!! My wife tells me that all the time. Okay, just did what you said. The switch works perfect! Nice loud clicks open and close. Okay, Explain to me again checking the switch on the gas pedal, Ohm tester, how many ohms am I looking for. Or just use continuity open and closing the switch? You crack me up
Continuity check. Hook up the meter, one lead to each spade. Then operate the switch. Should be a dead short when you operate the switch. I'm going to sleep. Talk to you tomorrow:grin:
Gas pedal switch works perfect as well. Looks like I am in business!! 350/th350 to 455/400 swap here I come!
I also have a TH400, but the connector on the side of my tranny does not have two termnals. It only came with one. The plug that went to it also only had one female slot, it was like a hard plastic boot connector with only one port. How do I test mine? I hooked mine up after years of the wire breaking off and it doesn't work. o No: Not to hijack, I just figured Larry addressed the original post. :beer
You test it the same way. If you get no click, you drop the pan and inspect the wiring inside. If you need to replace the solenoid, get it from a transmission shop. It's 2 bolts and the wiring.
