Abstract: In a motor vehicle automatic transmission, for example, a GENERAL MOTORS THM 700-R4 automatic transmission, the throttle valve cable ("T.V. cable") forms part of the mechanical link between the throttle pedal, the throttle valve linkage on a fuel delivery system (e.g., a carburetor or electronic fuel injector) and the throttle valve. In the method of adjusting the throttle valve cable disclosed in this application, a sleeve and spring are installed at the distal end of the T.V. cable, between the cable end clamp and the tear-drop shaped cable end fitting on the T.V. cable. The spring opposes the movement of the cable end fitting toward the distal end of the T.V. cable so that the cable end fitting is at its maximum distal position only at fully open throttle. This gives the vehicle operator the shift feel of a shorter T.V. cable at most throttle openings. The sleeve and spring are installed only on T.V. cables in automatic transmissions that do not have T.V.

Abstract: A transmission vacuum modulator assembly has a vacuum modulator with a heavy-gauge spring and a diaphragm that are moveably linked to a sliding or spool valve in a bore in a valve assembly. The flow of hydraulic transmission fluid into the transmission, preferably a diesel automatic transmission, is regulated by the sliding valve. The improvement comprises adding a coil spring having a spring force of between about 1 and 2 p.s.i. to the valve assembly in the bore to counteract the spring force on the sliding valve of the heavy-gauge spring in the modulator when the vacuum modulator assembly is in a lower vacuum/higher pressure position. With the added spring, upshifts during acceleration will occur under low vacuum/high pressure conditions without a need to release the throttle. The invention is particularly advantageous for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, that require rapid, yet smooth, acceleration.