Hi to everyone, I have a problem with my TV cable, it's a 91 TBI 4.3. The cable is broken, like chopped and missing the "front" part and links, so the problem is, there is not much spare parts here in argentina and shipping from US i bet that would cost me a lot cause my country high taxes about customs. If any helping soul that has a spare cable around could send me some measures like the total length, the length of the cable sleeve and the length from the throttle linkage sliding eyelet (I don't know if its called properly) so I can make a new cable and don't spoil my transmission, thanks in advance!

 

What do you mean by a "TV cable?" What does "TV" mean? Could you write it out for us or perhaps post a picture? If not a picture, can you find a reference to the part you need at one of the GM parts vendors' websites? Even if the part is out of stock, there often will be pictures of the parts.

 

TV in this case stands for throttle valve. Pre-Electronic controlled transmissions used this as the line pressure & shift point control method which modified these things depending on throttle position.

I can't help you with spare parts, Lucky318. Sorry. But I do have a question, by "front parts & links" do you mean the bracket next to the distributor? A replacement TV cable has the necessary elements to snap into the bracket next to the distributor and onto the post on the throttle body linkage as well as the connections at the transmission.

THIS POST has some pictures showing the area on the top of the engine where the TV cable is located. In that case, the TV cable is what is attached to the lower part of the throttle body linkage by a black zip tie...

 

Hi Swartlkk! Thank you! Yes your right, i had seen that post looking around, i need everything. I know its a delicate part but im a mechanic so it could be like making a custom clutch or throttle cable...i mean the sleeve lenght of the cable from the trans to the throttle body linkage Is static, i can make a cable sleeve with a threathed end to the throttle body linkage, maybe if i have this measure i can estimate the inner cable range of movement

I mean, knowing this inner slide eyelet lenght plus the throttle at max i can have an estimate of the range of work i hope

 

Yes , its like the old kickdown cable , but its more complex, works on managing transmissions line pressures regarding the throttle position


Something like this, plus the eyelet that goes on the throttle like the other photo up,, so only i have on it is this( from above photo) right end that goes on the trans and i can reuse it to rebuild . Using that plus a bike clutch or brake sleeve and cable and a lot of love maybe i can work it out...

Thanks

 

The part that you have identified in the image from the other thread is the cruise control cable end. The TV cable attaches to the bottom of the linkage and is what is being held to the throttle linkage by a zip tie. It isn't shown very well.


TV cable @ engine shown circled in red

TV cable @ engine shown circled in red -- This is the 'T' type design which is one of the versions you may have on your truck; specifically at the throttle body

Making this cable by hand would be quite the undertaking. Here are a few pictures of the different ends that I was able to find. The lengths are 41" for the 'T' type and 43" for the button type.

TV Cable 43" Button Type

TV Cable 41" 'T' Type

The type of cable is determined by the style of attachment you have on the throttle body. The button type has a post with a groove in it that accepts the plastic end shown in the image above. The 'T' type will go into a sideways hole on the side of the throttle linkage and have a slot for the cable to pass through and into it's track. These pictures of the cable do not show the attachment very well on the transmission end. This end needs to seal to the transmission housing.

 

Ohh i see!!! I really appreciate your time to help me, thanks a lot!
I get confused cause some cars had the same linkage for the kickdown ....i got the buttom type =) also a i got the transmission end attachment on the trans with the broken cable that had left so i got something to begin, with some time and imagination...
So in theory it does not have to be regulated? seeing the original cable...a few milimeters of free play would be ok?

Again, thank you very much, have a nice weekend

 

I haven't gone through the TV cable adjustment instructions in quite awhile so I'm going off memory here, but I believe that the factory adjustment point is spring loaded (the mount at the engine). When you push on the button on the side of the plastic mount it will automatically tension the cable and this is done with the throttle wide open. This sets the kick-down detent stop properly provided it actually pulls into the detent position on the valve body in the transmission. You will want to look up the proper procedure and/or some videos showing the procedure which should explain what is going on and how to do it properly. You'll need to understand all of this before trying your hand at fabricating the cable as bad things can happen in the transmission if the cable is not properly adjusted. Too loose and it can slip clutches resulting in damage to the clutch linings if left in this state for too long. Too tight actually isn't as bad, but it will shift HARD.

 

Thanks!.. i found that its almost complete and the inner wire runs good...


Whats worries me its that the previous owner had the trans rebuilt in the past year and the "specialized" trans mechanic had left the cable with a zip tie laying around...As some others good mechanics had say me dont worry, maybe thinking Is only a kickdown cable ..i purchased it and was used for a week as soon i realized the missing cable , and more many issues to fix....i hope its OK ...at least dont make rare noises but doesnt runs properly...good in 1 gear, sloppy pass to 2, and 3 and 4 sloppy and long..

 

Yes the throttle linkage is on the wrong side also