Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

the part I’m looking to identify is the one that has the yellow wire going to it. Also you can see it has a zip tie around it.

Thanks for your help.

John

A year would be helpful but I believe it is the overdrive kickdown switch. The camera angle may be making its location look more toward the frame than usual but there appears to be a vertical piece of accelerator linkage near it. If the switch is actuated by having the plunger being depressed when the accelerator pedal is all the way to the floor that is what it is.

If it is OD, the switches are different depending on whether you have an R9 used from 40-mid 48 installed or the later R11 OD from mid 48-54. The stock R9 switch was 2 terminal, stock R11 was 4 terminal with all 4 used but the R11 switch and a modern universal switch also with 4 terminals can be made to work with the R9 -- sometimes by a bit of bracket work -- and by using only 2 of the 4 terminals.

If it is not actuated by the accelerator then a better photo with more identifying landmarks to determine position on the firewall would help.

Howard
It’s a 1948 Packard custom eight with a R9 overdrive. I believe the switches to the overdrive are bad as you can it has a zip tie on it so wanted to order new but one to make sure I ordered the right thing and not waste money. The switch is up by the firewall and the throttle linkage.
Thanks for your help

That's the proper place for an overdrive kick-down switch and looks like one to me.

That is the obsolete 2 terminal R 9 switch and if that one cannot be repaired you may be able to find a good used one from one of the vendors. Although they look like they are there, I suspect the tie wrap may have been used because someone opened the switch and broke off or weakened one or more of the tabs holding the back plate to the switch. If you can't find an original switch, Cole Hersee makes a universal kickdown switch that is available at some ebay vendors or, I believe Napa sells their own Echlin version of either the Cole or another brand switch that functions in the same manner. IIRC, Ross has posted the Napa number on the forum a couple of times. I don't have it handy but you may be able to find it with a search.

If you do go with the universal switch, you will need to work with the stem length in the bracket and probably get an extra nut or make a spacer out of tubing to adjust the mounting height because of the physical differences in the stock and universal switch. For wiring with the R9, you would only connect wires to the two normally on or closed terminals nearest the bottom or threaded mounting stem end. A stock R11 switch would wire the same way but again you might need to mess with the mounting. I don't remember if there is any difference in bracket stem hole sizes that would need to be dealt with .