400TH kickdown wiring

[MrRocket]

Okay, took the kickdown switch from my parts car and I'm ready to install it. Once I put it on and plug it in where do the wires go?

One wire goes to the transmission I know that. Does the other wire go to a constant 12 volt source? If so where is a good wire to splice into or how do I source the power?

I traced the wiring on the parts car from the switch (pink/orange) to the fuse box. It then came out into the engine bay and into the harness that runs down with the starter wires. Under the dash it was pink/orange. in the engine bay the one wire (orange) changed to black with one orange stripe and it went to the tranny.
So I assume that there is a constant 12 volt source until the switch interrupts when you romp into it. Am I right? if not please enlighten me. :)

[zodiacblue442]

I think there's a plug already under the dash that's part of the wiring harness for the kickdown switch. If there was no kickdown switch originally, the plug will still be in the wiring harness, it just was taped out of the way and not used. The other wire goes to the transmission. I highly recommend you buy an original 1974 Olds Chassis Service Manual (shop manual). They are readily available on ebay and a great resource.

[MrRocket]

I already have a 74 service manual, and you're right it is a must have for those who don't have one.

I also found the pigtail for the connection to my switch on the gas pedal. I'm so glad that they used the same wiring harness with different options so we can just plug and play so to speak. Finding the black/orange stripe wire is going to prove difficult on my car as everything is bolted up and in the way on it. Might have to remove the brake booster to get a better look at it.

[zodiacblue442]

I already have a 74 service manual, and you're right it is a must have for those who don't have one.

I also found the pigtail for the connection to my switch on the gas pedal. I'm so glad that they used the same wiring harness with different options so we can just plug and play so to speak. Finding the black/orange stripe wire is going to prove difficult on my car as everything is bolted up and in the way on it. Might have to remove the brake booster to get a better look at it.

You'll have to run the black/orange stripe wire yourself, because it's a separate wire and not in the harness. It goes from the switch to the trans.

[MrRocket]

Okay...great. Do I have to cut one of the wires from the pigtail (pink/orange) and run it to the trans.? Why would they not have the black/orange stripe wire if they had all the rest? Don't want to cut anything if I don't have to.