Trimatic specialists - I need advice please

[Vombil]

Have a trimatic behind a 308 with b&m shifter. Not sure about the history (ie rebuilt, stall etc) but it's playing up when warm.

Only when it's at full hot operating temperature it will become very sensitive to the throttle.
It will drop from 3rd to second and then back to 3rd in a flash. its becomes a pain to drive. it does not flare.

fluid is at correct level and is clean. I've had a mechanic mate suggest it may be the solenoid or vacuum module but he's no trans specialist. I don't trust any transmission shops as I've only had bad experiences with the ones I've dealt with previously.

any trans blokes out there? or anyone what has had similar symptoms.

thanks in advance!

[panoz78]

Check the kick down switch adjustment on the top of the throttle pedal(inside)
It may be kicking in too early and make the box shift back with minimum throttle movements
instead of larger movements.
The traumatic uses electric to kick down gears and vacum to up shift.
The other possible cause could be the adjustment of the cable,
The shifter could be in D and the box selector arm not quite in the right spot.

[Alien DNA]

Def check the shifter cable..i had the same problem once. When properly adjusted, it works perfectly. Cable may be stretched as well, so that might throw out the ability to adjust properly.

[agr071]

As I only use mine as a cruiser. I disconnected the kickdown switch.
It'd kick back to 2nd at 100km/h.

[Vombil]

i will definitely look at cable. now i think of it when i knock it back from D into 2nd, It wont go back into D after!

[panoz78]

If you find that it's got a dodgey cable bracket on the box
Rocket do brackets for the traumatic to mount them properly
Just need to know if it's on the left or right of the box

[Vombil]

cheers neil, it has correct bracket. i do like rockets column shift auto cable for LH shift!

[Dick61]

It sounds more like your kick down solenoid is sticking open, drop the pan and check the solenoid. You can get new ones on e-bay for about $40.00

This is straight from Holdenpaedia on oldholden.com

Drops Back to 2nd From 3rd and to 1st From 2nd Once Warmed Up:The Kickdown Solenoid is jammed open, is leaking or has failed causing continuously low Detent Pressure. Can be fixed by removing the Pan and replacing the Solenoid.

[Big Rob]

It's going to be one of those 2 things... check the cable adjustment 1st, then if you're sure that's OK, drop the pan and replace the solenoid.

[Vombil]

i've read a bit on adjusting the cable. everything suggests to set it up in 1st gear. anyone had any experience or tips for this?