Kick Down Switch Short

[Richard Stanley]

Recently, I discovered that the kick down switch was frozen on my '64 Eldo due to a rusty plunger shaft.  Rubber boot seals seem to be unavailable.  I bought a refurbished one and swapped it out.  When I tested the new switch by turning on the ignition, the red/pink wire to the kick down switch burned up.  Friends helped locate the dead short problem:  the kick down switch sub-harness grounded on the 2 piece metal retaining collar that is bolted into the firewall and holds the rubber wiring stopper in place.  Eventually, the red/pink wire goes to the ignition switch.  Evidently, my moving the "pink" and "white" wires to the switch caused the short connection.  The hot wire insulation must have been wearing through for 61 years of minimal use. 

I urge owners of our cars to check that the sub-harness is not pressed against the edge of the metal collar by other hoses and wiring, and that the sub-harness enters the car via the upper harness hole in the plug.  The location of the pink and white wires makes no difference on the switch itself.  The switch is either open or closed to the transmission.  See the Shop Manual schematic for the wiring.  You may be able to repair the kick down switch by opening the case and cleaning the internal contacts and plunger.

[Jason Edge]

Thanks for the great advice. Just to add this would only be applicable to our 1964 owners with the Turbo HydraMatic Transmission.