Hey everyone, sorry I haven't been around, I was in Las Vegas for a couple of weeks and it's good to be back. I'm wondering if anyone here has ever heard of a detent cable? My mechanic tells me mine was disconnected and that's why my car has no power when you're going to pass someone. I noticed my car was sluggish but it always has been and I thought it was the normal function of the car. He said he reconnected mine but it's damaged and won't stay on long. I'm having it fixed so I won't be chancing it. I would imagine it's some kind of a vacuum line for downshifting. Anyone else ever heard of a "Detent Cable?"

Hey Dope, welcome back. That cable is not like the old TH350 kickdown cable. I can't remember the acronym for it, I think it's a TVS cable. At any rate, it's essential for it to be in place and properly adjusted. It controls the line pressure and shift points, and it will raise all sorts of hell with the tranny if it's messed up. You should notice a big improvement when it's fixed.

Hi guys. It's actual name is a Turbo Hydra-matic 400 downshift switch. I'm not sure if it's something I should mess around with or not, but my car has the same problem as Dope's. I can't pass another car on the highway unless they're going like 10K under the speed limit. Let us know how much difference it makes.

Thanks for the welcome! Well, it has been haphazardly reattached by my mechanic but a piece of it is broken and it won't stay in too long. I do notice a significant difference in my Brougham's performance. I no longer lose 10 mph up hills and pass with ease.I'm making an appointment to have it replaced this week, I'm told it's a cheap fix, under an hour of labor and under $100 total. I would just like to know a little about it. WHere is it located? My experteese doesn't lie in transmissions and I'd like to learn all I can about my "Detent Cable."

according to my Haynes manual it id located either right beside the carbeurator or there is a little switch near your gas pedal somewhere. It depends on your car where it is located. I was just wondering if your car was showing any other symptoms other than the lack of power to tip you off.

Mine's a 1989 Brougham with a 5.0 liter. The mechanics were doing some work under my hood when they realized it was just disconnected sitting there. Is it a vacuum line or an electrical cable, or one that is pulled?

Actually, I think DopeStar has the cable, instead of the TH400-style switch (which I have :) ) The cable is connected to the throttle linkage, and is easy to spot as it is the only cable that is connected "backwards" at the linkage. The throttle cable, and the cruise control cable both pull one way (open) but this one looks like if pulled it would close the throttle. If it is disconnected, it will cause a major performance drop, as the car will think your just loafing along (not using much/any throttle) and it will only shift by governer. Once it is replaced and properly adjusted, you should notice a big difference.

As a side note, my TH400 kickdown switch bit the dust long ago. The reason I have been putting off replacing it, is because the electrical switch is the kickdown input only. The TH400 relies more on the vacuum modulator and governor input to control shifting.

Yeah Dope, it's on the drivers side of the carb, kinda low down toward the intake, with a little black teardrop shaped plastic piece on the end. Opening the throttle pulls the cable.

That plastic teardrop is broken but it's still hooked up due to a haphazard reattachment. It'll be fixed by Thursday and my dad's pickin' up the tab. :D