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Re: Failing overdrive

To: jak0pab@jak10.med.navy.mil (Bowen, Patrick A),
Subject: Re: Failing overdrive
From: Atwell Haines <carbuff@nac.net>
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 1998 16:50:54 -0400
At 12:32 PM 8/14/98, Bowen, Patrick A wrote:
>Mike, I have had a problems with my Overdrive, I am not sure exactly what
>yours is doing.  But, my problems were with the O/D switch not the
>solenoid.  I would flip the switch and it would take 1 to 2 seconds to
>activate.  This was due to the design and corrosion on my switch.  The
>switch is a barrel roller that is pushed by a spring into to contacts.  If
>there is too much corrosion or something is not sitting right I will not
>engage or will take a couple of moments.  It is easy to repair.  If your
>interested I will tell you all about it.

<snip>

Oh tell us all pleasepleasepleaseplease.......

My OD (79 J-type) is "reluctant" to engage (sometimes) during the first 5
to 10 miles after a cold start.  Is this

1.      just because the tranny is cold?  (Owners manual sez not to engage
unless the tranny is warm but sometimes I get anxious.)

2.      failing switch as Patrick explains?

3.      failng solenoid as Michael reveals?

4.      some other problem only the Prince of Darkness can reveal?

This is one of my car's lesser quirks, so I'm more curious than desperate.
============

Here's another question for the List:  Is it worthwhile to declutch when
engaging/disengaging the O/D?  Which pieces are we saving (or hurting) by
using the clutch, or not?


Atwell Haines
'79 Spitfire  FM96062 UO
(53 HP)

Succasunna, NJ USA

The One Immutable Rule of Automotive Satisfaction:
"It is more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow"
- Cory Farley in Autoweek, 8/17/98


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