replacing wires to OD switch - 84 244 DL Manual Trans

[greggstonecipher]

I was given this 1984 244 DL with a 4 speed manual transmission with overdrive. However, the wires to the overdrive switch in the center of the shift lever knob are corroded. The insulation is cracked all the way down. Decent wiring is only reached under the carpeting. So I figured I'd replace them.

I tried taping new wires to the old and pulling them through, but it just got stuck. Then I just pulled the old wires out and tried feeding new wires through. No luck. It looks like the shift lever has a chrome housing attached, with some space between, to a solid lever. Obviously, there has to be some space for the wires to have run through there in the first place.

Can I remove the chrome housing so I can thread new wires, then replace it? It looks like there is a screw going through both the housing and the core lever near the bottom. It looks like it may be an allen type screw, but it's so dang small I can't tell. It could just be a hollow screw or pin. I've tried a 1.5mm allen wrench (too big) and a 3/32 inch allen wrench (too small... I can actually feed the long end of the wrench all the way through and it comes out the other side).

Am I on the right track here? Is it worth tracking down smaller metric allen wrenches to try on it?

Thanks,
Gregg

[billofdurham]

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

It looks like it may be an allen type screw

It is a roll pin which you drive out with a hammer and drift. Take the pin out and the gear lever can be removed from the stub. You should then be able to see where the wires go.

Bill.