Overdrive fuse blowing

[PBH]

Forum I have a problem minor by stag standards but an irritation none the less. every few weeks the overdrive fuse blows, annoying as I can see no obvious shorting out or dodgy connector. I have replaced the switch in the gear lever with a new one and replaced the wire leading to it, underneath the trim where it connects to the loom. are there any other areas where an intermittent short is likely or a solenoid on the way out might it cause a problem?.

Advice would be welcome as would better weather on a Sunday what a horrible day weather has now cleared but so has my inclination for a top down run at 3 degrees in the Normally Warm South.

Peter

[wilf]

You could try the next size fuse up, if it is a direct short circuit somewhere it will still blow, if it is just a fuse that isn't "quite man enough" it might cure it.

Otherwise, if the external wiring is fine, then failing windings in the overdrive solenoid might be a cause.

[Andrew S]

Could possibly be one of the wires inside the gear lever earthing?

[Peter]

Peter

I had this problem on a Dolomite Sprint (J-type overdrive) found it eventually - the two copper bars on the bottom of the gearlever switch were shorting with the gearlever itself. I now make sure the gearlever knob isn't screwed too far down on the lever and I insulate the switch. Otherwise I'd go for the wires in the gear lever - pull them out and check the insulation.

Hope this helps

Peter

[Motorcycle mad]

Hi Peter

I have had this problem on my Stag. What I eventually found was that the lock nut which holds the knob in position on the lever shaft had come loose, allowing the knob to move slightly and the switch to short circuit on the top of the gear lever shaft within the knob. Failing that I would check the wiring around the gear lever shaft as the wiring passes through a drilled hole in the shaft, and after 40 years this may have worn through the insulation on the wires.

Good luck
Ken