740 Overdrive Problem

kgbandit · Post by **kgbandit** » 03 Jul 2004, 18:14

My 89 740 GL is having overdrive trouble. It seems to be temperature dependent...it has gotten worse as the weather has gotten warmer. It is also more likely to happen the more I drive the car on any given day.

I will turn on the car and the orange arrow will be on. Nothing will make the car shift into overdrive until it is d**m good and ready. Some times it takes 5 seconds, other times, it just stays that way, and I have to wait and start the car the next day.

My mechanic tried a relay in it, and the arrow still stayed on. Then went off. When it felt like it.

With the old relay.

This is extremely annoying as it is unpredictable and I live 30 miles from where I work! It is no fun to be the only one driving 40-45 when everyone else is driving 60-65.

Help! Thanks!

potroast · Post by **potroast** » 03 Jul 2004, 18:54

are you stuck in reverse, or forward gears 1 and 2? If so, you're in "limp-home" mode. If you are only unable to shift into OD (4th gear) then you should be able to go much faster than 45mph. My 850 does 70mph easily in 2nd gear.

1quoll · Post by **1quoll** » 03 Jul 2004, 19:43

I'm having the same problem with my '89 240 and just saw some useful information down the page about it. Perhaps their replies will work with your model as well. Look for the June 12th posting by Mrkrinkle. All the best.

1quoll · Post by **1quoll** » 03 Jul 2004, 19:52

I just found another thread on the same line as yours. Scroll down to the April 26th post by Jeblen. Hope it helps!