1969 3500 auto box - no kickdown - Automatic box without kickdown

P

puffernutter

New Member
I warned you that I would probably have a lot of questions!

I have just bought a 1969 3500 with auto box. The box is approxmately 9000 miles old (as is the engine). The movement between the gears is as smooth as silk, but unfortunately there is no kick down (The previous owner would never take it above 50mph and accelerate slowly to get there!)

Where do I start looking? I have only had one other car that was an auto and the kickdown was based on throttle position and vacuum. Is it the same system in the Rover? Where are the linkages.

Last question (for the moment) - what is the Forum's view on the Haynes Manual - is it useful or is it better to get a workshop manual (or both!) ?

Regards

Peter
 
Hi

Kickdown is controled by a cam on the gearbox operated via a cable on the throttle. This cable runs from a lever on the throttle shaft (no throttle cables on the P6, its a solid mechanicle link), on the inlet manifold. Instructions are very specific about setting this cable up, the best I can suggest is to get a manual off a P6 parts supplier, the workshop manual is the bible, but Haynes has some good "short cuts", get both !!, although I do use the manual more..
Kickdown occures on the last bit of throttle travel, ie you only get full throttle kickdown.

Hope this helps
 
Hi Peter,

I agree with Ron, it's best to have both the factory manual and a haynes. But also get a parts catalogue, it is invaluable as it gives exploded diagrams of everything on the car down to the last washer. Brilliant when reassembling something complicated or just making sure that a previous owner hasn't done it wrong. It makes ordering a part a breeze too as you can use the rover part number.

Your kickdown problem is almost certainly the cable, with a bit of luck adjustment should cure it.

Best of luck

Nick
 
Well, having just had my car returned from the auto transmission specialists following a full re-build after only three-months on the road in daily use, approx. 2,000 miles, which followed a complete re-build in May this year (gearbox had completely failed when a bearing had broken up destroying the internals - I bought the car in this state), I would say your lack of kick-down is the result of worn accelerator linkages.

With the early BW 35, kick-down is generated by pressure actuated by the accelerator linkages. If insufficient pressure is generated the kick-down will not work (properly).

Furthermore, if there is slack in the linkages the gearbox apparently cannot properly change gear, which leads to wear. This had happened to my auto-box, thankfully the work that has just been undertaken was covered under warranty.

Therefore, I would look at slack linkages as the first port of call, and shoudl you have any doubt I would take the car to a reputable auto transmission specialist to set the thing up.

Finally, I got the car back a week before Christmas, used it for 4 days when the coolant and transmission fluid mangaged to combine themselves, presumably through the oil-cooler in the radiator. The car is now back with the specialist and the radiator (just re-built by Sercks) is awaiting to be returned for repair (and determination of liability for the damage that has been caused, let along the long-term prognosis for the auto box). Water and clutch plates do not go well together and the friction material disintegrates, hopefully the gerabox will not have to be re-built for a third time...

Good luck

Gary
 
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