Getting over my overdrive ...

[Robert Poague]

John,

You say the Lucas smoke product is no longer available, but surely you are 
aware of the "NOS Lucas Replacement Wiring Harness Smoke Kit" (with adapters 
for most British cars) on ebay. Though bidding has ended for this particular 
item, perhaps replica kits might soon be available in volume. For reference, 
see:

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4554570060

Bob :-)


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Snyder" <helyjohn@cablespeed.com>
To: "DOUG MILLER" <enginem@comcast.net>; "Byron Krystad" 
<bkrystad@drizzle.com>; <cahc@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: Getting over my overdrive ...


> Byron,
>
> I agree w/ Doug.  The "engage" circuit of the solenoid pulls a lot of 
> amps, but only for a second .  Once engaged, the O'D should go into the 
> "hold" position.
> If that does not happen, the Lucas smoke is released.  The smoke is a 
> patented Lucas product, and is no longer available, therefore you must 
> start at ground zero.  You can check the engage/hold w/ an ammeter.  You 
> may want to check the travel of the small arm connected to the O'D shaft 
> on the right side of the unit.
>
> Re the rubber button, I go to the local parts house/hardware store and buy 
> a button that is for the glove box door of an American car.  Works great.
>
> John Snyder
>
>
>
>
>> Hi Byron,
>> I have had intermittent disengagements and unpredictable failures to 
>> engage for over a year with my BN 2.  Every time I tried to diagnose the 
>> problem the solenoid would perform as it should.  However the last time I 
>> had the tunnel off and went through the drill several times, the solenoid 
>> finally failed to actuate.  I put my hand on the solenoid housing and it 
>> was very warm.  A few minutes later it cooled down and worked again.  I 
>> am assuming I have had an intermittent internal short inside the 
>> solenoid.  I put on a new solenoid (from Moss) before going to the 
>> Rendezvous.  It worked every time.
>>
>> You should put an ammeter in the circuit to ensure that the steady state 
>> current is dropping from the pull-in current of about 12 amps to the 
>> hold-in current of 1 to 2 amps.  The pull-in current will burn out the 
>> solenoid if the limit switch inside the solenoid fails to work or engage.
>>
>> The lack of a rubber bumper or other stop mechanism can allow the 
>> solenoid plunger to drop below the level where the magnetic field will 
>> pull the plunger into position.  I assume when this happens the solenoid 
>> will continue to pull 12 amps while the overdrive switch is closed.  I 
>> made my own bumper from a rubber insert similar to those at the bottom 
>> trunk lid lip.  Some guys tap the stop land on the housing a use a small 
>> screw that gives them the ability to adjust the level of the stop.