Kick Down Switch Circuit: Description
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Lexus IS F. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The kick-down switch turns ON when the accelerator pedal is fully depressed to send a signal to the ECM. When the kick-down switch is ON, the ECM controls gear shifting according to the programmed shift diagrams
If a short circuit develops in the kick-down switch, the ECM disregards the kick-down signals and controls shifting at the normal shift points