Auto kickdown question

[Dash Rendar]

I was just wondering if my kickdown is working properly on my auto TT.

 

Let's say I'm coming off a roundabout in the wet and the exit is up a steep hill. I don't want to accelerate too hard off the roundabout for obvious reasons, so I put my foot down gradually as I leave the roundabout and climb the hill.

 

Although I'm pressing the accelerator smoothly, I still end up pushing the pedal to the floor. But it doesn't kick down! By the time the pedal hits the floor, I'm nice and straight and half the way up the hill. So I want it to kickdown, but the car remains in third and is sluggish.

 

But get this... If I let up on the gas just a tiny bit and then slam it back down, THEN I get the kickdown.

 

I was under the impression that the auto box should always kickdown if you press the pedal to the metal. Am I wrong? Does it only happen if you do it quickly?

 

I guess the proper solution is to slam the auto box into second before I hit the roundabout. But that kind of defeats the point, doesn't it??

[paul mac]

having owned autos all my life if you build the revs up gently the box will not kick down, it should kick down when you hit the switch on the throttle pedal however gradual you build the revs up, it may be worth checking the switch, i know it sounds daft but is the floor mat in the way (i've done this myself)

[Bob]

bear in mind that kickdown won't work if it would cause the engine to rev too high.

[ADD]

having owned autos all my life if you build the revs up gently the box will not kick down, it should kick down when you hit the switch on the throttle pedal however gradual you build the revs up, it may be worth checking the switch, i know it sounds daft but is the floor mat in the way (i've done this myself)

 

same here so many many times!! and it's always just when ya want the power too.

[ChrisSZ]

I sometimes get this - which is why I use the overdrive button when I want to make sure I get the rush:respekt:

[Prof. Monkey]

As above!

Me too or I use the sports mode, coming onto the roundabout and then floor it when I am heading straight.

 

Daft question #2: Have you thought about have your box oil changed?

[Dash Rendar]

Thanks for the replies people. The car is having some work done at the mo, so can't check the switch. Got to admit... I've never actually seen the switch you're talking about!

[VIL]

Hi Dash

 

When you depress the pedal to the floor there is a solenoid switch that clicks telling the box your looking for maximum `ooommpphh`. If the box can kick down it will, otherwise it will carry on building speed in that gear.

 

However, I have found a better way to get the baby shifting. Rather than planting you foot and waiting for the kick down try driving along (with overdrive on), litterally just `blip` the accelerator, and then plant it! She will launch like a bullet from a gun!

NB only try this in the dry!!

[Dash Rendar]

Hi Vil

 

Long time no speak!

 

It's a good tip, and I'll certainly try it out. But in the dry I'm usually quite happy to hit the gas hard and so have no trouble with the kickdown. It's in the wet, when accelerating progressively, where I have the problem.

 

When the gas is all the way to the floor, it sometimes just doesn't kick down. I know it should, since I'm talking about situations where I'm doing about 40-50mph up a hill in third. And I know it can, since I can make it kick down but lifting and then stamping, or by just shifting manually.

 

I'm now wondering if there's a problem with the kickdown switch. Hmm.

 

I'm visiting the garage this afternoon to see the progress on my car, so I might mention it then.

 

Thanks again.