A440F kickdown cable question

[ColoradoBoy]

So, Sheila is having issues with the transmission in 2 & L gears; specifically, when in 2, low power/no kick down when gas is floored. In looking at the cable linkage, and trying to adjust per the FSM, the cable appears very loose between the orange boot and the cam with the throttle cable. Is this correct, or is the cable just old & stretched out- replace it? If I adjust the cable to be somewhat tight, the adjustment specs from the FSM go right out the window, which leads me to believe that the cable should be replaced. I am also getting ready to flush the transmission... Any insight would be much appreciated!
EDIT: Please ignore my temporary 'fix' with the hose that reads 'not for under hood installation'

 

[mjosoba]

When I had my 80 it had stretched past what the specs warranted. Tight is definitely better than too loose. I’d take it up until it’s slightly tight, then drive it for a bit, then adjust again. You’ll know when it’s happy, as it can be a very smooth yet firm shift.

I can’t remember if the cable is no longer available, or the sheathe around it. Also, replacing it involves going into the valve body. So you may be better off just adjusting the one you have until it shifts properly, even if it’s not in “spec.”

 

[ColoradoBoy]

When I had my 80 it had stretched past what the specs warranted. Tight is definitely better than too loose. I’d take it up until it’s slightly tight, then drive it for a bit, then adjust again. You’ll know when it’s happy, as it can be a very smooth yet firm shift.

I can’t remember if the cable is no longer available, or the sheathe around it. Also, replacing it involves going into the valve body. So you may be better off just adjusting the one you have until it shifts properly, even if it’s not in “spec.”

Thank you for the reply and info. I'll keep fiddling with the cable after I'm done with the transmission fluid...
Cheers!

 

[shocktower]

Thank you for the reply and info. I'll keep fiddling with the cable after I'm done with the transmission fluid...
Cheers!

You have plenty of adjustment, get it where it needs to be per FSM nothing more and nothing less, and if you still have shifting issues the 440-442 need solenoids replaced after so much time.

 

[mjosoba]

I forgot to mention to search for “Rodney Flush.” It is a pretty painless method of getting a full fluid exchange, without the pressurized fluid exchange that may break crud loose inside. Also, you may want to drop your pan and clean the filter screen.

Shocktower is wrong, after all these years most of the cables are stretched past spec. And you have a fully hydraulic tranny, no solenoids to replace. Disregard that.

 

[ColoradoBoy]

I forgot to mention to search for “Rodney Flush.” It is a pretty painless method of getting a full fluid exchange, without the pressurized fluid exchange that may break crud loose inside. Also, you may want to drop your pan and clean the filter screen.

Shocktower is wrong, after all these years most of the cables are stretched past spec. And you have a fully hydraulic tranny, no solenoids to replace. Disregard that.

Yes! already done (flush)- Thank you (and Rodney!).

Maybe I'm expecting too much of the Land (Cruiser/Tank) as far a 2nd gear goes. I've been working on this all morning, and still feel that 2nd has an issue. From a standstill, foot to the floor, all gears (D,3,L) rev up quickly and provide adequate acceleration. 2nd is a dog. Does not rev up or provide acceleration as the other gear selections. Is it the design of the A440F? I would think that from a stop in 2nd, that full throttle would cause the transmission to 'kick down' and rev up as do the rest of the gears currently. Shifts between gears is smooth, both up and down. The only thing the FSM hints at in the general troubleshooting pages is valve body or governor issues. I am NOT a transmission guru by any means, so if there is more input from others, I'm all ears. I'm trying to sort it all out before my wife takes it on it's first real road trip without me and my tools to Idaho in two weeks. Of most concern is climbing big hills on the highway...

Cheers!

 

[mjosoba]

Yeah, hopefully others chime in, Im no authority. How many miles do you have? And how did the fluid look?

 

[ColoradoBoy]

No, thanks for taking the time!
178K, fluid looked pretty good- not too dark, but I ran 2 gal. thru it anyway.

 

[Alleycats]

Hey, I have the a440 in my cruiser. I just don't think they kick down that well unless your foot is just so on the gas pedal. Yes you can adjust the 'lockdown cable' but at the end of the day even a healthy trans. might not kick down all that great. Remember that the a440 is fully hydraulic.

 

[mjosoba]

I will say I had my A440 running about as smooth as my A442 I have now.

You might look into a Wholesale Automatics valve body, if your wallet can stomach it. There’s a couple or three vendors that may have one.

 

[ColoradoBoy]

Thanks for the reply- I know the rig isn't going anywhere fast, but the fact that specifically 2nd gear does not operate in similar ratio and powerband to gears L, 3 and D gives me reason to question: Why?

 

[ColoradoBoy]

I will say I had my A440 running about as smooth as my A442 I have now.

You might look into a Wholesale Automatics valve body, if your wallet can stomach it. There’s a couple or three vendors that may have one.

Ha! I'd have to convince my wife... it is hers, & serious off-road isn't in the picture (yet). I just want to try and pinpoint the (perceived?) deficiency of 2nd gear. Stock functionality is fine since it is a daily driver (for now... hint, hint, )

 

[shocktower]

I forgot to mention to search for “Rodney Flush.” It is a pretty painless method of getting a full fluid exchange, without the pressurized fluid exchange that may break crud loose inside. Also, you may want to drop your pan and clean the filter screen.

Shocktower is wrong, after all these years most of the cables are stretched past spec. And you have a fully hydraulic tranny, no solenoids to replace. Disregard that.

OOPPPSSS yeah the 440 is a full hydraulic, but looking at his cables, there is room for adjustment from what I see in the picture, but hey I am not perfect

 

[beans]

Yes! already done (flush)- Thank you (and Rodney!).

Maybe I'm expecting too much of the Land (Cruiser/Tank) as far a 2nd gear goes. I've been working on this all morning, and still feel that 2nd has an issue. From a standstill, foot to the floor, all gears (D,3,L) rev up quickly and provide adequate acceleration. 2nd is a dog. Does not rev up or provide acceleration as the other gear selections. Is it the design of the A440F? I would think that from a stop in 2nd, that full throttle would cause the transmission to 'kick down' and rev up as do the rest of the gears currently. Shifts between gears is smooth, both up and down. The only thing the FSM hints at in the general troubleshooting pages is valve body or governor issues. I am NOT a transmission guru by any means, so if there is more input from others, I'm all ears. I'm trying to sort it all out before my wife takes it on it's first real road trip without me and my tools to Idaho in two weeks. Of most concern is climbing big hills on the highway...

Cheers!

when in 2 you are locked in second the entire time whether you are stopped or going 45 up the mountain. Selecting the others (1,3,D) you will always start in first from a stop and then it will shift up to what is selected as you accelerate

 

[ColoradoBoy]

when in 2 you are locked in second the entire time whether you are stopped or going 45 up the mountain. Selecting the others (1,3,D) you will always start in first from a stop and then it will shift up to what is selected as you accelerate

Thank you, that is exactly what the 'seat of my pants' was telling me. It seems odd (to me) that if 3rd would start from a stop in low (1st) gear, then why not the same for 2nd gear? Is it that I'm looking at it from a daily driver standpoint instead of an off-road view? I can see the low(er) RPM/torque application for 2nd gear when off-road...

 

[jonheld]

When you manually shift to 2nd on an A440F, it is 2nd gear start. No upshift, no downshift. 2nd is all you get. All of this information is available in the FSM.

 

[ColoradoBoy]

When you manually shift to 2nd on an A440F, it is 2nd gear start. No upshift, no downshift. 2nd is all you get. All of this information is available in the FSM.

Thank you, great guru of 80 series!
I will look in that section and attempt to understand better. Thank you to all that took the time to post!