Hi Ken,
Don't know if my experience can help, but at least the solution was easy. I
have a J-type OD and some time ago it began to not honor the switch position.
On/off/on/off at various speeds, tracked it down to a bad steering column
switch. Sometimes it worked fine, other times it had a mind of its own. I
figured this was a special Lucas feature.... So I unplugged the relay so OD was
always off regardless of switch position, ordered a new switch, put it in and
the problem disappeared. Try unplugging the relay and see if the OD stays off.
BTW I use redline MT90 as well, no problems with OD on long rides (100+ miles)
Your problem is not exatly like mine but it might be worth a shot.
George
-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Davis [mailto:ken.davis@attbi.com]
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2003 7:01 PM
To: Triumph 6 Pack
Subject: 'J'-Type questions -- Possible Problem
Hi List,
A glorious day in the SF Bay area, so out I went for a nice long drive in the
TR6. Well Almost.
Experienced a problem with the J-type overdrive unit.
Background: About 2 months , maybe 4, ago, I drained the gearbox and OD unit
and replaced the oil with redline 80W synthetic at the lists recommendation.
The shifting definitely got easier, very quickly, and until today, was pretty
event free. This was my first long (100 mile R/T - Plus) run in the beast,
altho' I use it to and from just about all over town, within say a 25 mile
radius.
The Problem. Had done about 45-50 miles down I280 here, and decided to hop
off the freeway, and meander along a nice little 2 laner, listen to the
burble, look at the scenery and just enjoy myself. Flicked the OD switch to
off, and nothing happened, it was still in OD. Stayed this was for about 1/2
- 1 mile, then switched okay. Hmmm. Back in to OD - okay, out of OD okay,
repeated this a number of times at about 45-50 mph, seemed to work fine.
On I280 coming back home, I flicked it out at about 55 mph, and nothing
happened. For almost 10 miles it remained in OD. Then it flicked in / out/
in /out, and seemed to stay out. Also noticed that when I gave it some gas
and backed off, the Tach showed about a 300 - 500 rpm fluctuation, without any
apparent engagement, almost felt like driving an automatic. Pulled into a
rest area, let it sit for 15, then back on the road. OD remained operative,
although the switch was in the off position.
I've never noticed it before in short runs, where the engine /gearbox OD unit
really didn't get hot. In today's run they did.
Got home and
- Checked oil level -- fine
- Checked current to solenoid - fine, but could not hear /did not feel any
thump or activity in it
- checked Current drain, roughly 2 amps.
- cleaned all connectors.
So now to the question:
My first hope is the solenoid isn't working correctly other than what I've
done, any easy tests
My dread is the internals of the OD are going - any tests, pointers?
The gear oil was very fluid when hot - is it meant to be, or does fluid
viscosity have an affect? Should I drain and change to a GL4/5 and try it
again?
If I remove the solenoid for a check out, will oil spill everywhere - must I
drain oil first?
All Help Appreciated
Ken
73 TR6
So San Francisco
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