Overdrive not working

87240DLWagon · Post by **87240DLWagon** » 11 Nov 2006, 22:23

It is not the button, the over drive off light stays on and it never engages. Is there a simpel thing i could do like cross 2 wires and just have over drive on permenately? What is useully the problem when overdrive will not engage.

Thanks

Post by **billofdurham** » 12 Nov 2006, 11:35

You haven't said whether this is manual or automatic but both types of overdrive are operated by a solenoid which is mounted on the gearbox casing.

Fuse #11 on the 87 240 is for the 4th gear on auto boxes and here is a relay for the auto transmission overdrive behind the dash to the left of the glove box.

Bill.

87240DLWagon · Post by **87240DLWagon** » 12 Nov 2006, 12:53

Sorry its an auto. Is there a way to test the relay?

Post by **billofdurham** » 12 Nov 2006, 12:55

The only way is to replace it with a known good one - Catch 22 situation unfortunately.

Sometimes giving a dodgy relay a hard flick with your finger can kick start it, but no guarantee.

Bill.

87240DLWagon · Post by **87240DLWagon** » 12 Nov 2006, 13:29

Could i simply get rid of the relay and make overdrive permently on? By hooking the 2 wires together

Post by **billofdurham** » 12 Nov 2006, 15:33

This could be dangerous. You would need to know that the overdrive was engaged before joining the wires, because to engage it after joining them would be done without the relay in the circuit causing a heavy current on parts not designed to take it.

In any case it may not be the relay that is at fault, it may be the solenoid itself.

Bill.

87240DLWagon · Post by **87240DLWagon** » 12 Nov 2006, 22:17

I just found this

http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx? ... RootID=629

Will this kit cause problems? Recomend?

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 13 Nov 2006, 00:10

If you have some skill in soldering you can open the OD relay and make it work again. The most common problem with this relay is that the soldering joints gets cracked after 20 years. Open the relay carefully, no problem to do that. Resolder all joints at the pc-board that looks bad, like frosted or cracked. After this, the relay will work for 20 more years.

jr86565 · Post by **jr86565** » 10 Dec 2006, 23:33

If it is a stick I found the wires for the button on mine had broken where they came out the bottom of the hollow shifter extension after pulling up the carpet and my break could be found by chasing the wires from the relay. Mine is a 84 245.