300tdi auto gearbox questions- what is the cable for and wiring loom

hello all I'm after picking your brains

On a 300tdi auto gearbox what is the cable for ( kick down?- and is it really needed)

And what is the wiring loom for - and is it really needed

Thanks in advance for any replays

Little more info just dropped a discovery 300tdi inc auto gearbox in my 90, I like simple if it doesn't need it it goes
I'm not fussed about kick down but want the gearbox to be happy

???? If you don't think you need kick down, then maybe this project is a little too advanced?

300bhp/ton said:

???? If you don't think you need kick down, then maybe this project is a little too advanced?

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No need for kickdown at all. There is a little lever that can be pulled to produce to provide exactly the same effect.

Seffy said:

No need for kickdown at all. There is a little lever that can be pulled to produce to provide exactly the same effect.

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Not really the same thing and would be a bit of PITA to drive. Complete dog really. Of course there are ways to 'manually' control an auto box. But not using any form of kick down just sounds like a poor decision. Probably the same reason that not a single car maker sells such a setup.

300bhp/ton said:

Not really the same thing and would be a bit of PITA to drive. Complete dog really. Of course there are ways to 'manually' control an auto box. But not using any form of kick down just sounds like a poor decision. Probably the same reason that not a single car maker sells such a setup.

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You are right, it is not the same. To use kickdown involves opening the throttle very wide and using a foot, to use the lever involves using an arm and maintaining the ability to not open the throttle to near maximum. To me, more often than not using the kickdown and pouring lots of extra fuel into the engine seems like a poor decision when dropping down a gear manually and not opening the throttle fully can have the desired effect. The kickdown feature can also help ensure that a person does not change down at an inappropriate time risking damage, but a competent driver should be aware of such conditions anyway.

As one of the selling points of slush-o-matics is driver convenience/lack of effort/lack of input, then of course it makes sense to integrate a kickdown feature to manufacturers. The ford C4-5 transmissions were frequently installed without a kick-down, it was usually only performance cars with that transmission that had it.

Even being disabled I do not find operating the shift lever a pita, reach over, pull back. Even my ripped to shreds shoulder can cope with that.

That the kickdown cable is connected is absolutely 100% essential - without it connected and adjusted properly you can kiss your auto box good bye. And quite quickly too. Don't forget the Oil cooler too !!

300bhp/ton said:

???? If you don't think you need kick down, then maybe this project is a little too advanced?

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+1 - I think you need to do a little more research before posting - try the ashcroft transmissions site for one. or ask ZF technical - I always find them very very helpful.

Thing is, the brackets for the FIP are readily available, really easy to fit, and the kickdown cable is also easy to fit, and easy to adjust, both initially, and for your preferred driving style.

Wiring loom should also be connected, especially the start inhibit circuit - in fact, you may invalidate your insurance if you don't - and if they were to start looking and find "other stuff"... well, you can guess the rest.

reversing lights are always worth having, and you'll need to know if the centre diff is locked.

Disco1BFG said:

That the kickdown cable is connected is absolutely 100% essential - without it connected and adjusted properly you can kiss your auto box good bye. And quite quickly too. Don't forget the Oil cooler too !!
+1 - I think you need to do a little more research before posting - try the ashcroft transmissions site for one. or ask ZF technical - I always find them very very helpful.
Thing is, the brackets for the FIP are readily available, really easy to fit, and the kickdown cable is also easy to fit, and easy to adjust, both initially, and for your preferred driving style.
Wiring loom should also be connected, especially the start inhibit circuit - in fact, you may invalidate your insurance if you don't - and if they were to start looking and find "other stuff"... well, you can guess the rest.
reversing lights are always worth having, and you'll need to know if the centre diff is locked.

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Totally agree with the above.

The manual states that the kickdown cable MUST be connected when using this gearbox, when fitted it is the easiest thing in the world to adjust it to suit your own preference & driving style but do not leave it disconnected.

Wiring loom is for the reversing lights (why wouldn't you want them?) & starter inhibit. Reverse lights need no more explanation but the inhibit is to ensure that the starter does not operate unless the gearbox is in either P or N and is a must as the day will come when you will not put the lever in the correct place before trying to turn over. The wiring is easy enough to connect up and makes it work as it should.
Ignore the diff-lock as that should already be present and connected to the transfer-box (no electrical connection between the auto-box & transfer-box).

We all like simple but don't ignore necessities.

Plus, I do wonder if the starter inhibit circuit is necessary as part of vehicle type approval. Clearly its necessary from a common sense point of view, but if the type approval was invalidated, and a major accident caused.... it could all get rather messy. best avoided.