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Posted By : Lee Codrington, 10-May-2004,
12:33pm
I have recently fitted a new gearbox with Overdrive and all seemed to be good for a number of weeks. However, over the last few days, when I switch into
Overdrive it has been engaging and then promptly disengaging although the switch is still in the on position. Sometimes Overdrive doesn't engage at all and
at other times it works fine!
Has anyone out there experienced this problem? Any suggestions as to how I may remedy it would be gratefully received?!
Thanks
Lee
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Posted By : James Carruthers, 10-May-2004,
12:56pm
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Posted By : Lee Codrington, 10-May-2004,
04:56pm
Cheers James,
I've now bookmarked the webpage.
Lee
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Posted By : Huw Harrison,
10-May-2004, 05:29pm
Hi Lee
I had something very similar happen to me a few years ago on a Herald I had put an overdrive box into, it was the selector bolt not moving far
enough which is quite easy to access by removing the tunnel and then removing the 4 screws over the inspection plate. If i tried to click into
overdrive off the column switch it would work intermitently but when i reached down and moved the selctor bolt manually, hey presto
Overdrive... A couple of turns on the nut at the end and problem solved...
Hope this helps
Huw
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Posted By : William Davies, 10-May-2004,
01:28pm
Hi Lee,
Do you have the original column mounted switch or the troublesome gearknob switch from a later car? Common failure with the latter is damage to the
switch wires where they pass into the gearlever,
Cheers,
Bill.
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Posted By : Lee Codrington, 10-May-2004,
02:09pm
Hi Bill
I forgot to mention my switch is column mounted....
Best
Lee
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Posted By : Jeremy Derbyshire, 04-Jul-2004,
11:07am
Ive just started rebuilding a Mark 1, was the overdrive an optional extra?
Mine ceratinly does not have one. Can you reccommend a gearbox specialist that I can send my gearbox to to be refurbished - the selectors and gate
are definetlye in need of attention?
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Posted By : David Rumens,
04-Jul-2004, 09:01pm
Yes the overdrive was an extra. Have a look in the Courier for a specialist e.g. - Canley Classics, T.D. Fitchett, Rimmers Bros, etc.
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Posted By : Laurence Wood, 30-Jun-2004,
03:58pm
I too have the column mounted OD switch stalk and it is a bit dodgy - if I knock it when turning the OD disengages suggesting yours may also be an
electrical switch issue so hopefully more easily fixed !
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Posted By : Spencer Allen-Scholey,
18-Jul-2007, 09:41am
My Mark 2 overdrive has stopped working suddenly and I'm hoping its the column mounted switch. I also want to check out the overdrive relay, but I
can't find it anywhere! I have a great picture of it in my Autopress manual but no clue as to where it is mounted! Any help would be appreciated!
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Posted By : Gary Flinn,
18-Jul-2007, 11:22am
It should be mounted to the right of the Battery/Fusebox on the Passenger side of the front bulkhead, thats the standard position when factory
fitted.
Regards
Gary
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Posted By : Spencer Allen-Scholey,
18-Jul-2007, 02:12pm
Nothing there but fuses. I've had a good look under the dash, anyone got any other suggestions? If overdrive was added at some point as an
afterthought by a previous owner, I wonder if there is a common place to mount the relay?
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Posted By : Gary Flinn,
18-Jul-2007, 03:27pm
It sounds like the Overdrive was fitted by a former owner.
You need to check out the wiring really to make sure its been done to a reasonable standard? you need to check the following:-
1. The wiring is connected via a fused & ignition controlled circuit.
2. If its a 'D' Type Overdrive that there is a relay somewhere controlling the feed cable to the solenoid (Original fitment was 'D'
type however if a 'J' type is fitted you don't need a relay because it doesn't draw as much current on initial engagement).
3. That the inhibitor switch is wired into the relay correctly to ensure the Overdrive only works in 3rd/4th gears and the Column
switch is working correctly.
4. That any wiring is routed and secured correctly to ensure it doesn't touch anything hot or sharp!
5. There is sufficent Oil in the Gearbox (a low level can cause it not to work).
6. That the operating Arm if a 'D' type is correctly adjused again you need a Workshop manual
You need a wiring diagram ideally out of a workshop or Haynes manual and a decent Multi-meter.
If you don't feel confident get an Auto Electrician or a competant friend to help.
I had an intermittent problem with the Overdrive on my car, it turned out to be a duff inhibitor switch, I changed it for a new one and
problem solved.
Nine times out of Ten its an Electrical problem with faulty Overdrives.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Gary
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Posted By : Spencer
Allen-Scholey, 19-Jul-2007, 10:13pm
Thanks for the help. After pulling up the carpet and the gearbox bell-housing I discovered it is a J type overdrive. Continuity
checks on the cables and switches were fine but there was no voltage supply to the solenoid. Thats when I discovered the blown fuse
in the supply line hidden under the dashboard! Still, I'd rather a 30p fuse than a £87 solenoid - and a lot easier to
change too! Cheers!