Overdrive in 3rd gear but not in 4th gear??

[oyeates]

Dear All,

I have recently been having issues with the overdrive on my manual 4 speed gearbox. Unusually enough the overdrive works fine in 3rd gear but there is no clicking of the solenoid when in 4th gear. I have got a gearbox and clutch specialist looking at it at the moment but even he is scratching his head. Is anyone familiar or heard of this problem before?? Any advice or help greately appreciated. Many Thanks, Oli

[wilf]

Wiring up through the gear lever?

[Mike Stevens]

As well as the wiring that Wilf suggests, there is an inhibit switch that only allows the overdrive to operate in 3rd and 4th. I'd also be looking there.

Checking for power at the solenoid in various gears and tracing through if necessary is not exactly difficult. I wonder why the specialist is having trouble?

Cheers,
Mike.

[oyeates]

I think he's having trouble understanding why its working in 3rd but not 4th as there seems to be no power to the solenoid (i.e. no clicking in and out) when in 4th gear but perfectly fine in 3rd gear.

[Mike Stevens]

Tracing the power back should find out where the problem is.

As Wilf suggested, don't forget the wire down the gearlever. A common fault is for it to fracture giving an intermittant operation which could be in only one gear.

Cheers,
Mike.

[KOY 23]

The lever and hence the cable is in a different position in 3rd and 4th gears, so could be a break in the wire at the bottom of the lever.

[european voyager]

At the near side of the car at the top of the prop tunnel there is a wiring connector to the gearbox , I've had problems there before with the wiring coming loose from the connectors.