Throttle Kick-down Cable / Throttle Body

[smasood]

I adjusted the Throttle kick down cable as described in link http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=20854 and shifiting from 1st to 2nd gear improved by 80% and I have also started feeling the difference with ECT button on.

1) Now with adjustment the gear shifts between 2500 to 3000 RPM but sometimes I still feel like somone has kicked the car especially if it is shfiting at a slow speed.

2) WONDERING should I change Sticking throttle body? Would it make shifting smoother?

3) Can I change throttle body myself (do it yourself project) or is it a professional's job.

4) As mentioned in the thread, by changing the kick-down cable to factroy position am I compromising on the life of transmission??

[Toysrme]

1) What do you mean?

2) I would clean it first. It eventually happens to every throttle plate from carbon build-up. When it's cleaned you can also dry a spray lubricant like Triflow sold in hardware/bicycle shops. I'm starting to have some good results with it after a few friends recommended it to me.

3) The throttlebody is fairly easy to do. Normally it's 2 * 12mm nuts & 2 * 12mm bolts holding it onto the upper intake. Take the two electrical connectors off (TPS & IAC/ISC), pull the vacuum lines off, pull the evap line, pull the coolant line.

That's the general instructions.

4) The rule of thumb is the less time a transmission takes shifting, the less the fluid heats up, the less wear on the slipping clutches & in general, less wear with everything else.

No it won't degrade the lifespan. Nor will it make the transmission last longer under strain. -> The maximum line pressure of the transmission is not increased. The line pressure simply get's higher, quicker, causing the valve body to shift with less throttle & shift faster.

[smasood]

I mean now if I accelerate the car normally I do not feel any kicks or jerks, but if I am in a stop and go traffic like idling in rush hour I still feel like SOMEONE HAS KICKED the car while shifting from 1st to 2nd or from 2nd to first. That is why I was thinking if there is something else I can do smooth shifting during slow moving traffic.

I personally like to thank member Toysrme for the Kick-down cable illustration. Before that I drove the car approximately 30000 miles hating the transmission. I took it to LeMyles transmission and they told me that they have to overhaul the transmission to fix the problem & it will cost me apporximatley $3000/-. With the help of illustrations, I adjusted kick-down cable and it is a hell lot of difference in driving. Thanks again.

[Toysrme]

Really I'm not sure what causes the kicking. You could try adjusting it incrimentally from one side to the other.

Sounds like it's either shifting to hard, or way to soft -> which causes it to lug.

[smasood]

OK, I am revisiting this topic b/c of another idea - basically as adivsed previously I have tried to adjust kick-down cable at different positions

2) Cleaned throttle plate couple of times times

I am wondering - QUESTION 1) will changing kick-down cable along with the valve make a difference?

QUESTION 2) If anyone thinks yes - is it DIY or does it require professional experience professional

Basically I am Frustrated with the car kicking my back when it shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. :chairshot: want to fix it desparately b/c otherwise it runs great. ;)

[Toysrme]

I guess if the cable has stretched a ton so you couldn't get it tight enough, changing it would help. & I know not all the cables are the exact same spec. You can take two identicle model cars & move one 1/8" of the way tighter & it'll shift beautifully sporty, move it all the way tight & it'll be too much, then take another car & it'll bearly start shifting sporty by the time you have it all the way tightened.

But I'm not sure if that's gonna help or not. Just a thought.

You have to drop the valve body to change it. It's not a *hard* DIY, but it is a maaaaajor pita because the kick-down valve has a pretty dang strong spring you have to fight to get the cable on & off. (I use a small screwdriver to wedge it open).

I take it you tried all kinds of adjustment, I know you have the right level of good fluid in there & you've wiped off the filter screen too huh?

[smasood]

Yes, I have tried all types of adjustment given in different tranmission posts over here. Drained & replaced fluid, only thing I have not opened the transmission pan - will try to do this first - if it dose not work then will try to figure out a shop who agrees to change kick down cable.

Thanks buddy - you have been a great help.

[Toysrme]

It's pretty easy. I actually just made a video on how to change the transmission fluid & drop the pan for my other website.

[Toysrme]

I haven't opened the forum yet, but it's working. Next to nothing is in it. So much stored information between several people, along with a few new projects... I'm struggling to compile it all on top of being really busy.

http://lextreme.com/v6/viewforum.php?f=4

My valvebody is sitting in a bag in my basement. If you want me to do a short video on how to take the valvebody off including the cable I'd be happy to do it. It's gonna rain here tomorrow & ruin a lot of my plans . But I really need to know, because I'm rebuilding my valvebody tomorrow morning & as soon as I think I can get a solid hour without rain, it's going back in the car.

All of that being said. I just don't really think it's the cable, but yes... There is, atleast in easily brouhgt up theory, the chance that it's the cable. ;) That being said, dropping the pan is the next best step.

[smasood]

Thanks, Having a video is a great idea - A VIdeo == Million words. :) I will wait for the video and will attepmt to change it on my next off weekend - golden weekend ;). I tried to download the current video from lextreme but it was giving me some errors.

I greatly appreciate your help. Thanks for videos.

[Toysrme]

Try now.

[smasood]

WOW :) Great work - I was able to download the movie and view it clearly. I am waiting for the second one to see the changing the valve - and will do both things at once on mine. i.e. changing filter & valve with kick down cable. Hope that will smooth the shifting from 1st to 2nd gear.

Thanks. Great Work.

[mrbutz1]

Try now.

Toys...where do I find all these wonderful videos? I keep reading about them but haven't located a link yet? Much obliged!

[Toysrme]

http://lextreme.com/v6/viewforum.php?f=4

[xxxavier2k]

My rough shifting stopped after I realised that the cable was sticking in the casing. Instead of going through the pan drop and valve body removal I went for the temp fix of straightening the bend in the casing at he point where the cable attaches to the throttle body bracket.

I guess I'll it properly shortly though!

[smasood]

The rough shifting is also helped by adjusting throttle plate position sensor.

[joeynitro]

I mean now if I accelerate the car normally I do not feel any kicks or jerks, but if I am in a stop and go traffic like idling in rush hour I still feel like SOMEONE HAS KICKED the car while shifting from 1st to 2nd or from 2nd to first. That is why I was thinking if there is something else I can do smooth shifting during slow moving traffic.

I personally like to thank member Toysrme for the Kick-down cable illustration. Before that I drove the car approximately 30000 miles hating the transmission. I took it to LeMyles transmission and they told me that they have to overhaul the transmission to fix the problem & it will cost me apporximatley $3000/-. With the help of illustrations, I adjusted kick-down cable and it is a hell lot of difference in driving. Thanks again.

can you tell me where the kick down cable is? I have hard shifting from 1st to 2nd gear most of the time. do i need to adjust kick down cable?