Automatic Transmission Kickdown

[David Head]

Yep - the kickdown switch is incorporated into the accelerator cable. The
switch itself is on the engine side right where it comes through the
firewall, under and inside of the master cylinder. The Bentley shows how to
test it by finding the connector (not easy). If you look at the cable on the
engine side and see a spring at the firewall, it has come apart and most
likely failed. If not, it could simply be out of adjustment, but these cable
mounted kick down switches don't have the best reliability rating. I think it
is because if the cable isn't tensioned exactly right, too much pressure is
placed on the switch.
The cable runs about 30-50.00 as I recall.

VNorman at TelecompSys.com wrote:

> I have a 1991 Audi 100 with a 4-speed automatic transmission that shows
> absolutely no interest in kicking down to a lower gear when I floor the
> throttle. Given the limited power of the car, this can be a major
> embarrassment at times.
> Does anyone have any suggestions on what to check? The transmission works
> fine except for this problem.