AT won't come near redline

[prb44t]

Any ideas why my 325IX won't kickdown readily, or hold a gear near redline? If I manually hold a gear on my Auto I can take it to redline. But left on it's own it won't.

Is this a problem with the throttle cable or kickdown cable?

[SpecM]

nah, they all do that

thats why they suck

[prb44t]

really? If I'm doing 60mph at 2500 rpm, if I floor it, it will not kick down. That's normal?

[MR 325]

Let off the pedal and then floor it.

Report back.

[jlevie]

That is either a problem with the kick-down cable or the transmission. Check the kick-down cable first. The Bentley should info on it.

[prb44t]

In the Bentley I found the info on the "kickdown switch". Though there is conflicting info in there. In the text it says that an AT should have 2.5 floor to top distance on the kickdown switch, but in the diagram figure 4-25 it says the manual should have 2.5" and the AT 2". Any idea which is right??

My switch looks like its only 1.5" (yes I am measuring without the floor mat). Could that be it?

[jlevie]

The kick-down switch under the pedal isn't a switch at all, but just a device that provides a tactile feedback when you engage it. It is adjustable for height off the floor. I was referring to the cable that attaches to the throttle body that "sends" the kickdown signal to the transmission.

[SpecM]

oh, I thought you meant the tranny just shifted to early

if it wouldn't downshift, try tightening the detent cable at the TB

[SlowGoinE30]

You should have 1mm of play between the crimped on connection and the base of the housing, on the kick down cable.

If you tighten it a little bit more, it'll feel a little sportier, and kick down a little easier. Small adjustments make a huge difference. Too tight and it drives quite odd.

But I can hold any gear to redline if my foot is to the floor, it barks second, and holds third until a speed I probably shouldn't be doing.

Also your actual throttle cable adjustment makes a huge difference to this as it is what controls it. Again you want 1mm of slack in the throttle body cable, you also want to adjust that foot stop until you can actually open the throttle body all the way. Just after pushing the detent down, and making sure you have engaged the kick down on the transmission cable. You can do it by hand to get a feel for what it feels like.

Hope this helps.