A340F noticeable 1-2 shift

[jonnyd42]

So I just got a 2000 limited 4x4 with 155k miles. Did a fluid drain & fill. Old fluid wasn't burned and was in good shape. Car has the proper service history.

I recently adjusted the cable on the throttle body to improve gas pedal response, and made the mistake of over tightening the wrong cable (did the throttle valve one / tranny kickdown as it's known here lol...very rough). I read a few posts and seems like that tranny one is supposed to be flush with the rubber boot or about 1mm outside of it. The more outside it is, harder the shifts from line pressure.

It's flush with the little boot now, but I notice I still can feel the 1-2 shift. 2-3 and 3-4 are buttery smooth. This isn't a jarring feeling at all, but I can tell when it shifts without looking at the tach.

1) What's the 1-2 shift supposed to feel like under mid acceleration?
2) Is there long term wear / risk if it's a noticeable on the 1-2? Should I loosen it even more so it goes more in the boot?
3) What's the proper way to actually set this? I read somewhere that you measure the pressure mechanically and set it based on the gauge? That may be above my paygrade.

 

[phattyduck]

The A340 transmission is a design from the 80's, so don't expect magic from it. You'll always feel the 1-2 shift. It should be 'authoritative' but not harsh. The '97-'00 ECU pulls timing during the shift, but it can't cut power during shifts like a modern transmission/ECU combo would. The '01/'02's do pull more power for smoother shifts (and have electronically controlled line pressure).

The higher the line pressure the better for the trans (to a point) - the faster the shifts, the less clutch/band slip there is.

-Charlie

 

[jross20]

You know I've always noticed that 4Runners and tacomas have that really strong first to second kick, but then after that it's pretty much butter lol


But getting back on track, I'm actually curious about this as well. I think mine is adjusted out further as I thought this was tighter, is it adjusting it in that makes it stronger?

 

[T4R2014]

The throttle valve and transmission kickdown are separate cables. I do not recommend anyone touch the transmission kickdown. I would adjust back to where it was. You can adjust slack out of the throttle cable, but I have found that by the time an adjustment makes a difference, you will need to replace the cable anyway. They usually become harder to press, or the rubber bushing falls off the pedal end of it.

 

[Bad Luck]

You know I've always noticed that 4Runners and tacomas have that really strong first to second kick, but then after that it's pretty much butter lol


But getting back on track, I'm actually curious about this as well. I think mine is adjusted out further as I thought this was tighter, is it adjusting it in that makes it stronger?

The tighter you make that cable the firmer/harsher your shifts will be.

 

[jgue467]

...I still can feel the 1-2 shift. 2-3 and 3-4 are buttery smooth. This isn't a jarring feeling at all, but I can tell when it shifts without looking at the tach.

1) What's the 1-2 shift supposed to feel like under mid acceleration? ...

Mine being an '01 may feel different. Mine has never needed adjustment, throttle response is instant.

I can lightly feel the 1-2 shift if I accelerate pretty slowly yet under normal light to medium there is no shift feel as the higher gears are too.

Luck.

 

[jross20]

The tighter you make that cable the firmer/harsher your shifts will be.

Tighter being moving the little metal thing in? Or out?

Tighter as in the cable having less slack? Or a "tighter" adjustment. Difference of understanding. Haha

 

[gamefreakgc]

Tighter being moving the little metal thing in? Or out?

Tighter as in the cable having less slack? Or a "tighter" adjustment. Difference of understanding. Haha

Moving the knob out - increases line pressure and will shift more quickly and agressively.

Moving the knob into the rubber grommet - decreases line pressure and shift harshness. Can also cause the shifts to get 'lazy' and refuse to downshift on steep grades.

Personally, I have mine with the knob moved out about 2mm because I hate those lazy shifts - especially when driving up the pass on I-80.

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is fluid temperature. If you are driving in near freezing or below weather, no amount of cable adjustments is going to cure that jolt as the transmission will look to increase line pressure to create more heat to keep the fluid temperature up.

 

[jross20]

Moving the knob out - increases line pressure and will shift more quickly and agressively.

Moving the knob into the rubber grommet - decreases line pressure and shift harshness. Can also cause the shifts to get 'lazy' and refuse to downshift on steep grades.

Personally, I have mine with the knob moved out about 2mm because I hate those lazy shifts - especially when driving up the pass on I-80.

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is fluid temperature. If you are driving in near freezing or below weather, no amount of cable adjustments is going to cure that jolt as the transmission will look to increase line pressure to create more heat to keep the fluid temperature up.

I didn't know it would help with downshifts. I'll have to give mine a look before our Christmas trip to the mountains next week.

 

[phattyduck]

Mine being an '01 may feel different. Mine has never needed adjustment, throttle response is instant.

I can lightly feel the 1-2 shift if I accelerate pretty slowly yet under normal light to medium there is no shift feel as the higher gears are too.

Luck.

Most definitely different on the 01/02's - electronic throttle and line pressure control will make the shifts very different than the '96-'00 that only can control ignition timing to reduce shift harshness.

I personally like the 'strong' shift feel of my '99. I'm not driving miss daisy here...

-Charlie

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I too like a firm up shift. Chirping the tires on the 1-2 at WOT even better.

My 94 Ram with the Cummins would still do that at 180k


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