>>28533179
following up, i adjusted the kickdown cable because the manual was showing that it was basically the transmissions throttle position sensor. Its basically adjusted to its halfway point since it was all the way at the bottom for some reason and now its made the cable taut. Took it for a drive while making incremental adjustments and 2-3 hits reliably now in the closed throttle (cruising) position while still shifting back into first at a stop. The effect on the rest the of the gear changes (the 1-2 shift) means all the shift points has basically lowered, with 1-2 happening at neighbourhood speeds and 2-3 at an intermediate 30mph making for a lazy driving experience as it should.

Essentially i answered my own question, its all good now