bfellows

Hi, new to all this forum thing, good source of info! I'm looking to fit a kickdown bypass switch to my '88 s4 (UK model) and have done all the reading i can, does anyone have a diagram, or pictures for referrel?
Thanks

Bert

S4 silver '88

jpitman2

FWIW, heres what I did: Under the kickdown switch beneath throttle pedal is a 2 pin connector. Pull this off, connect or somehow splice a new wire to each connection; remove the dead pedal/foot rest on the left side of footwell(10mm bolt down low on mine); get a momentary(or intermittent ) switch, drill the top of the foot rest (under the rubber) to take the switch; run the wires from the kickdown switch across the floor under the carpet, up into the foot rest and fit to the switch contacts. Check with a meter that a push on the switch makes circuit as though you had hit the kickdown switch with throttle. Replace everything. Test kickdown solenoid - with ign on, but not running, depress throttle to kickdown, you should hear the solenoid click; then check that tapping the new switch you also get the click. Drive - test by getting well into throttle in a high gear, but not reaching kickdown, then firmly tap top of foot rest with toes, and it should go down a gear. If it doesnt, test that kickdown does work with normal switch - if not, or not until you have too much throttle in, your TV cable may need tightening - mine did. Mine is 3 speed 83, so the 4 speed may be a bit different in detail, but the principal is the same. You could test the switch as soon as the wiring is done without fitting it anywhere specific if you cant decide where to locate it. Some people put an on/off switch on sill, or on tunnel for hand use - I prefer the invisible fitting, and keeping two hands on the wheel.
jp 83 Euro S AT 48k

bfellows

Hi, thanks for the advice, i'll be posting in future with photos for others!

Tony

http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/kickdown.htm

try that

bfellows

Couldn't have asked for better! Appreciate the help!

Bill Ball

jp prescribes a momentary switch while Tony calls for a toggle. What are the effects of using momentary vs. toggle in this case?

928ntslow

I would say the momentary acts the same way the pedal KD switch does. The toggle would keep you electronically down shifted until released...depending on speed of course.

jpitman2

Almost - with the momentary, down changes are held until you reach the set up-change speed appropriate to the throttle setting you are holding now. That is, it wont up change as soon as you release the button unless you ease off the throttle; if you add more throttle (who wouldnt as the rush comes on?) it will hold the lower gear longer.
jp 83 Euro S AT 48k

928ntslow

Isn't that what I said?...short of explaining how the pedal KD switch works.

IcemanG17

Bert
A bypass switch helps (look at Nichols web site), gets you a quicker response.

I have driven other auto S4's that are slow to react (at best) to driver inputs...(think flooring it), but a properly adjusted (by a good mechanic..mine was devek) auto is so sweet in how fast it reacts...mine drops to first at anything remotely aggressive off the line (not close to flooring it) and down shifts instantly at any other speed (say less than 140) whenever needed...sometimes without flooring the pedal!

928fan4life

Can this be done on the earlier 3 spd auto trannys?

bfellows

Brian,

Excuse my ignorance, bypass switch? have checked out nicholls site and not sure which page i should be looking at! any chance you could post relevant link?

Thanks

Bert 88 s4 silver/dark blue rolling resto.......... getting there!

928ntslow

Absolutely can be done on 3 spds...you just won't have to shift to first anymore in the 180 degree hair pins at speed

http://www.nichols.nu/tip093.htm and http://www.nichols.nu/tip752.htm

jpitman2

Mine is a 3 speed, so absolutely yes.
jp 83 Euro S AT 48k

928fan4life

Excellent