Faulty or misadjusted kick-down switch (at or near the accelerator pedal or throttle assembly, depending on model); Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring to the switch (open circuit, short to ground or short to voltage); Poor connection at the switch or control unit connector (corrosion, bent or loose terminals); Faulty or misadjusted accelerator pedal or throttle position sensor giving a signal that disagrees with the switch; Incorrect pedal or throttle linkage adjustment, or a worn pedal mechanism, so the switch does not operate at full travel; Fault in the transmission or powertrain control unit.

P1835

Kick-Down Switch.

Cadillac
Powertrain
Manufacturer code
Low severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
1: Defined byThe manufacturer
8: AreaTransmission
35: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P1835 on a Cadillac relates to the kick-down switch circuit, which tells the transmission control system when the driver has pushed the accelerator pedal fully down for a forced downshift. The control unit set the code because the switch signal was missing, stuck, or did not make sense compared with throttle position and other inputs. The exact switch location and circuit design depend on the model and year, so check the factory information for the vehicle.

Symptoms

Transmission will not downshift when the accelerator is pressed fully down
Unexpected or constant kick-down, with the gearbox holding a lower gear
Harsh, late or erratic shifts
Gearbox warning or service light on, or engine light on
Poor acceleration when overtaking

Possible causes

Faulty or misadjusted kick-down switch (at or near the accelerator pedal or throttle assembly, depending on model)likely
Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring to the switch (open circuit, short to ground or short to voltage)likely
Poor connection at the switch or control unit connector (corrosion, bent or loose terminals)possible
Faulty or misadjusted accelerator pedal or throttle position sensor giving a signal that disagrees with the switchpossible
Incorrect pedal or throttle linkage adjustment, or a worn pedal mechanism, so the switch does not operate at full travelpossible
Fault in the transmission or powertrain control unitrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, and note whether other throttle, pedal or transmission codes are present
Check the switch operation: with live data, watch the kick-down switch status change as the pedal is pressed fully down and released
Inspect the pedal or throttle assembly and the switch for damage, misadjustment, or anything restricting full pedal travel
Inspect the wiring and connectors between the switch and the control unit for chafing, corrosion, water ingress and loose terminals
Check the switch circuit supply, signal and ground against the wiring diagram, using a multimeter and following the factory procedure for the model
Test the switch itself for continuity and correct open and closed states at the pedal positions
Compare accelerator pedal and throttle position readings in live data to confirm they are plausible and agree with each other
Clear the code and road test, confirming that it does not return and that downshifts work normally

How to fix

Replace the kick-down switch if it fails testing, or adjust it to the specification for the model
Repair or replace damaged wiring, and clean or renew faulty connector terminals
Replace or readjust the accelerator pedal or throttle position sensor if its signal is faulty
Correct the pedal or linkage travel or replace worn pedal components so the switch operates properly
Update or replace the control unit only if testing proves it is faulty, following the manufacturer procedure

Can I keep driving?

Low severity

The car can normally be driven, but expect poor or missing kick-down and possibly harsh shifts. Book it in soon, and stop if the gearbox goes into limp mode or shifts become violent.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.