Transmission shifting issues. Is it my kickdown.
- Thread starter Kchan156
- Start date
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Hi, I have the same problem with the LX 450, are the cable the same for the Lexus as well ????, do I only tighten the cable or someone did also mention TPS, I am confused
I mentioned to adjust the TPS because the quick shifting from 2-3 shouldn't happen. It should hold 2nd gear longer then it holds first. Even in 'normal' mode.
Good idea to mark it as joinerman said. But if it's anything like mine the spot it was previously in will be obviously cleaner then the rest of... the entire truck!
Tightening the cable won't hurt, unless you go over board and you will either break it or the seals will blow out of the trans due to the higher pressures. The proper method to adjust involves using a pressure gauge. Personally I just find the standard 1-2mm gap to be fine.
And yes it's the same for lx450's and the 80 series.
is this the same problem
I just picked up a 4x4 FT (Full Time) LX 450, it is the transmission that is giving me problems (or that is my guess), when I start from a Stop the car moves like it is so heavy and once when I accelerate to 70 mph it become lite again, I think the gears are not shifting quickly enough, I changed the transmission oil it helped a bit at times it becomes ok at times & very heavy at others but as soon as I hit 70 it becomes ok.
Note : i have to hit the gas to take the revs up to the 3000 RPM mark to change the gear if they are stuck.........
I just picked up a 4x4 FT (Full Time) LX 450, it is the transmission that is giving me problems (or that is my guess), when I start from a Stop the car moves like it is so heavy and once when I accelerate to 70 mph it become lite again, I think the gears are not shifting quickly enough, I changed the transmission oil it helped a bit at times it becomes ok at times & very heavy at others but as soon as I hit 70 it becomes ok.
Note : i have to hit the gas to take the revs up to the 3000 RPM mark to change the gear if they are stuck.........
Yep cable. I halfa** adjusted mine and have not had any more flare shift issues.
Yep x 2 adjust that cable.
- Thread starter
- #26
I adjusted the cable and made it more tense. The 'barrel' is out of the black sleeve. The shift is smoother but it still shifts to 3rd way too early when i accelerate slowly. Maybe i'll fine tune the adjustment.
Adjusting the cable should have taken care of the rpm "flare" between 2nd and 3rd.
However, on a 93+, it will *not* affect actual shift points, which are controlled electronically.
Probably need to start looking at shift solenoids on the tranny itself.
As CJF said, if adjusting the cable didn't help, you probably need to look at the solenoids, OR the tranny Gaskets.
(I drove my '94 for a month with the kickdown completely broken, and I was able to make it shift properly just being gentle on it)
On my '90 (A442 tranny-no electronics) I had to replace the gaskets in the tranny. The gaskets had deteriorated with age and they were allowing pressure loss, thus not shifting properly. AND, yes it required high RPM's to get it to shift from 2-3rd.
It is also possible that I blew the gaskets out by adjusting the kickdown too much...
(I drove my '94 for a month with the kickdown completely broken, and I was able to make it shift properly just being gentle on it)
On my '90 (A442 tranny-no electronics) I had to replace the gaskets in the tranny. The gaskets had deteriorated with age and they were allowing pressure loss, thus not shifting properly. AND, yes it required high RPM's to get it to shift from 2-3rd.
It is also possible that I blew the gaskets out by adjusting the kickdown too much...
Did you try adjusting the throttle position sensor, like I said?
- Thread starter
- #32
Ok i dont understand what the TPS (throttle position cable) is and how to adjust it. I cant seem to find it in the FSM. It's not the kick down cable right?
Never mind my dirty engine bay...
This applies to 1fz powered 80s with the a442 automatic transmission (not the a440 in early 3f 80s). It might also apply to a343 transmissions, but no 80 in Australia has one of them.
This is the Throttle Position Sensor
And a close up...
In the close up you can see two phillips head screws, one top and one bottom.
What you want to do is loosen these two screws (don't remove them) and rotate the sensor clockwise.
First try rotating it about 2mm or 1/16th of an inch from it's original position. If you want, mark the sensor somehow to indicate the original position. However if it's like mine was it will be clear where the screws had been sitting for some 20 years
Then go for a test drive. If you find the transmission is holding the gears too long (delayed shift) you have turned the sensor too far, and try backing off 1/32th of an inch. Conversely, if you think it's still shifting up too soon, adjust it clockwise another 1/32th of an inch.
When I bought my 80 few years ago I had the same symptoms as you. Up shifting too soon, and a slight slip going into 3rd gear. Adjusting this sensor fixed all that without touching the throttle cable. (although checking the throttle cable should still be part of the tune up maintenance.
This applies to 1fz powered 80s with the a442 automatic transmission (not the a440 in early 3f 80s). It might also apply to a343 transmissions, but no 80 in Australia has one of them.
This is the Throttle Position Sensor
And a close up...
In the close up you can see two phillips head screws, one top and one bottom.
What you want to do is loosen these two screws (don't remove them) and rotate the sensor clockwise.
First try rotating it about 2mm or 1/16th of an inch from it's original position. If you want, mark the sensor somehow to indicate the original position. However if it's like mine was it will be clear where the screws had been sitting for some 20 years
Then go for a test drive. If you find the transmission is holding the gears too long (delayed shift) you have turned the sensor too far, and try backing off 1/32th of an inch. Conversely, if you think it's still shifting up too soon, adjust it clockwise another 1/32th of an inch.
When I bought my 80 few years ago I had the same symptoms as you. Up shifting too soon, and a slight slip going into 3rd gear. Adjusting this sensor fixed all that without touching the throttle cable. (although checking the throttle cable should still be part of the tune up maintenance.
Always good info on here!
- Thread starter
- #36
@rove_mcanus wow! I adjusted it maybe 1/8 inch clockwise and what a difference it made! It definitely holds 2nd longer before shifting to third. And with the adjustment on the kickdown cable, it doesnt have that "flare" anymore.
Thanks again for the illustration and the write-up!!!
Thanks again for the illustration and the write-up!!!
no worries 
Can anyone confirm if this will help our 95 LC. I know it had a different trans, but we get a minor flare from 1-2
I've got the same 1-2 flare on my '92 80. There was some slack in the transmission throttle cable, but the red boot was pretty much already touching the crimp. I tightened it a couple revolutions of the adjuster nut to take the slack out but not extremely tight. In some cases, is it necessary to throw out the .4-1.5mm recommendations from other mudders and the FSM? I haven't tested it yet, but I'd hate to cause damage to the transmission because of a slightly over-tight throttle cable.
Dear 3FE/a440 guy,
Your kickdown cable should be .5-1.5mm from end of boot (red) to bead on cable, drive adjust and drive more and adjust again. First though you need to adjust the accelerator cable so the @ WOT the throttle thingy just touches the stop.
Your kickdown cable should be .5-1.5mm from end of boot (red) to bead on cable, drive adjust and drive more and adjust again. First though you need to adjust the accelerator cable so the @ WOT the throttle thingy just touches the stop.
