Transmission downshift adustment..info..

[BHerring]

Whenever I take off and drive a bit then floor the pedal the transmission doesn’t down shift. I can manually down shift and this works but I would really like the automatic downshift. Now I need to know what adjustment do I need to do. I am not familiar with dodge transmissions. I have worked on some GM 700R4. Any and all information you can provide to help me do this adjustment/alignment will be greatly appreciated.



Regards

Brads

 

[cerberusiam]

Throttle valve adjustment is what you want, kick down cable is what it is generaly called. It will be the one of the other cables on the bell crank where the throttle cable attaches. Follow the one that goes down to the trans, the other is cruise if you have it.



Tp adjust pop the tab just behind where the cable mounts to the bell crank, this will allow the housing to slide in the mount. Hold the throttle wide open and move the TV cable houisng rearward until you have about 1/8 of an inch gap in the slide. Thats your starting point for adjustment. Reduce the size of gap for later shifts and kick down at higher speeds, increase for earlier shifts and less kick down.

 

[BHerring]

cerberusiam:

Can you explain this again for me...

"TV cable houisng rearward until you have about 1/8 of an inch gap in the slide"



When moving the housing rearward does this tighten or loosen the cable?



I dont understand the 1/8 gap?? is this from the front of the plactic piece to the tab? if so how many slots should be showing, approx?



Thanks

 

[cerberusiam]

When you unlock the locking tab you will see the housing will move forward and backwards to adjust the throw on the cable. Grb the houisng forward of where it comes thru the mounting and you can shove against spring pressure and get movement. Moving the housing towards the front of the engine will increase the amount of TV pressure that is applied by making the cable move farther.



The engine end of the TV cable has an elongated slide on it unlike the GM that adjusts at the trans. The 1/8 inch measurement is between the pin the slide runs on and the end of the slide while the throttle is held completely open.

 

[Greenleaf]

I haven't looked at my TV Cable application in quite some time, let alone drive a diesel power truck in months but I can you this... ... ... ... *If* you have modified the throw of the injection pumps throttle arm and the linkage of the throttle cable, the TV cable gets in the way. To adjust the throw to increase the amount of linkage travel, the TV cable must be slid back as far as possible, otherwise the TV cable will LIMIT the travel of the injection pump throttle lever.



I don't have trans shift issues with either of my trucks but I can say that neither of them down shift untill the throttle is to the floor. If I slow down to pass a slow moving vehicle (farm tractor/Amish buggy etc. ) the trans will not down shift. It remains in gear (3rd if it is the three speed 1990) and I simply go around the slow moving vehicle. With the torque of the cummins I don't hurt for acceleration by any means. If I feel I need to, I will manually down shift because if I shower down on the throttle, the rear tires break loose and there is tons of smoke. Any auto truck will do this, not just mine.



So, if you adjust the way the books tells us to, you will limit your throttle, unless you have 100% factory linkage movement, then it will not matter.



BTW, never drive an OD equipped truck around town in OD (34 mph-ish) with very light throttle application. Use the manual off button to select and hold third in town. If your trans will not shift to OD untill 50-ish then forget what I said.

 

[Dieselman359]

BTW, never drive an OD equipped truck around town in OD (34 mph-ish) with very light throttle application. Use the manual off button to select and hold third in town. If your trans will not shift to OD untill 50-ish then forget what I said.


Why not?

 

[dpuckett]

35mph in OD is about 1300rpm- way too low for the transmission to handle long term. I turn off the OD in Mom's truck when in town. Besides, Chris, when have you ever driven with light throttle?



The FSM says to adjust the diesel throttle linkage when it is in idle position, with ~. 16" gap (hair over 1/8"). Maybe the imbecile who rebuilt Mom's transmission adjusted hers the other way (pulling it back). I know when I readjusted it by the book 20K mi later, it had much better response, and she picked up a MPG or so.



Dan

 

[Dieselman359]

Thanks Daniel, I guess that I should shut it off also. I still can't get used to this auto, sometimes its nice to not have to shift, but when it comes to pulling, this auto is an embarrassment to the Cummins.

 

[cerberusiam]

Thanks Daniel, I guess that I should shut it off also. I still can't get used to this auto, sometimes its nice to not have to shift, but when it comes to pulling, this auto is an embarrassment to the Cummins.

Yeah, the stockers kinda well err... . suck!! :-laf



However, once you ever get one modified and dialed into your engine you will NEVER even consider a manual again.

 

[Dieselman359]

Never say never, I said that I would never have an auto after my old D100 318, but I got this one. Look at my sig, nothing but manuals for me. :-laf

 

[wjpatton]

Help! What's the best way to get the throttle valve cable loose from the plastic retaining clip so I can adjust it? I sure don't want to break that plastic piece, as I fear finding it or another TV cable will be difficult at best. Thanks and happy Friday! 1990 D250 A727 auto.

Bill

 

[Simplysmn]

You don't have to take it off the clip you just pop up the plastic clip on the back side to move it .

 

[wjpatton]

Wow! Thanks. I was making this much harder that it is!!!! Are there replacement clips available if I screw it up?

 

[Simplysmn]

No they are not so just be careful when you pop it up .