my bonnie tried to kill itself today. so i am going to take a left turn off of a main road onto a side street. and as i pull up to the intersection, there are cars coming the other way at about 45-50mph and theyre pretty close to me but impatient and dont want to wait for this big line of cars. so i turn in front of them goin about 25ish, and i realize that they are gettin close fast! so i punch the bonnie and nothing happens! it didnt down shift but just stayed in 3rd gear so now i look like a jackass and these cars have to hit the brakes and honk at me and i feel like an ***. but then my bonnie downshifts finally after im about 20 feet on the side street. so now i got this to worry about :(

I was on 494 once just north of 62. I was taking a 92 SSE back to a family that was selling it who live on one of the big lakes in the west metro (In excelsior i think). Damn thing wouldn't go faster then 30, the tranny just sliiiiiped.

Thank god traffic was only going 30. I pulled over on highway 5, let it cool for about 10 min, then went on my way.

Bullet, you need to adjust your kickdown.

Or check your trans fluid level.

And that would be done how? :o

Mine will do the same thing on occasion. Not so much now that i cleaned the TB, though.

I hated it, too. I've been in a couple of situations like yours, and also the opposite. Expect it to hesitate, stomp the hell out of it, and end up squealing the tires for no reason and feeling stupid about that....

With mine, when I'm slowing down to make a sharp turn, like at an intersection, it wont kick down to first unless I almost come to a stop. I would prefer that it kick down a little sooner.

The 440-T4 has a Throttle kickdown cable that will need adjusting. I have the info on it, but I have to find it.

Thank you.

Yes, the transmissions prior to 92 can be adjusted folks. This is why someone should have posted this topic in the 87-91 section.

Check the transmission fluid level. The engine should be operating properly. Check that the cable is connected at both ends.

Depress the adjustment tab on the upper end of the TV cable. While holding the tab down, move the slider through the fitting (away from the lever assembly) until it stops against the fitting.

Release the tab.

Rotate the cable actuating lever to the full throttle stop position. When doing this, the cable slider should rachet out of the cable fitting toward the cable actuating lever.

Release the cable actuating assembly.

DO NOT adjust the cable using the throttle pedal.

Check the cable for sticking and binding, at both cold and warm operating temperatures. Road test the vehicle, and do a passing gear WOT to see if it'* ok.