Overdrive Problem?!

[jwallbutton]

Morning all..

I took the car out last night to the South Mid's Classic Car Meet, and on the way all seemed to be going well, until the overdrive stopped responding. Switch in and out... not doing anything. A little later on the run, it all came back to life.

On the way home, the same happened again (not sure if I was in or out of Overdrive). When I went down to 2nd and applied some gas, the car started to judder. You could feel movement, but nothing going to the wheels. I know a clutch slip when I feel one, and this was not it.

Any ideas?

[mad cyclist]

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first check your gearbox oil level, the over drive works on pressure and needs the correct amount of oil, it could be a sender problem, ie not releasing or engaging. are you mk1 or 2?

rgds Nick

[jwallbutton]

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mad cyclist wrote:

first check your gearbox oil level, the over drive works on pressure and needs the correct amount of oil, it could be a sender problem, ie not releasing or engaging. are you mk1 or 2?

rgds Nick

Hi Nick,

I'm a MK1.5 I think! I wouldnt know if I had an A or J type. The car was registered Feb 1973. I did recently change the old switch to a new switch... I'm wondering if that could be the issue. Was going to change this back shortly and try it again.

I just thought I'd see what everyone else thought initially. I obviously don't fancy driving her if I'm going to destroy my overdrive or gearbox.... I've only just purchased the car and don't fancy that expense just yet! :shock:

Jon

[richardthestag]

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On top of the oil level suggestion

the wires that run up the inside of the gearstick often chaff - I wrapped insulating tape around the to stop them moving about too much. Would have thought this would blow the fuse though,

Also worth checking the loom connector which will be on the n/s of the engine very near the starter motor. they get a lot of abuse. Unclip it, clean it and reconnect.

The wires that run along the outside of the gear box to the overdrive solenoid are in a pretty hostile environment so worth checking that they are connected, not frayed etc.

Check the easy cheap stuff before you start panicing about gearbox / overdrive costs

R

[jleyton]

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jwallbutton wrote:

Morning all..

I took the car out last night to the South Mid's Classic Car Meet, and on the way all seemed to be going well, until the overdrive stopped responding. Switch in and out... not doing anything. A little later on the run, it all came back to life.

On the way home, the same happened again (not sure if I was in or out of Overdrive). When I went down to 2nd and applied some gas, the car started to judder. You could feel movement, but nothing going to the wheels. I know a clutch slip when I feel one, and this was not it.

Any ideas?

I had exactly the same happen to me yesterday . Thing was it was on the motorway and, at first, it felt like an engine problem.As I'd done some engine work the previous day, I automatically assumed it was something I'd done wrong:shock:- but then I quickly twigged that it was the O/D.

Haven't had a chance to look at it yet however I was going to say just what Richard's said and hope it's gear lever area related. Only thing is that is unlikely to be related to anything in second gear (which I didn't have a problem with)

Good luck - I'll watch this thread with interest.

[mad cyclist]

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dont think you will do it any harm if there is oil in it. mine was built in dec 72 and is an a type the screws are a bit fiddily to change the slave cylinder.

[jwallbutton]

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We'll.... I think I've found the problem. I pulled the top of the gearstick, and the cables are in a shocking state a bit further down. Lots of electrical tape (which had come undone) to reveal exposed wires which were touching. One of the cables in to the spade connector on the switch had also come out.

Should be an easy fix!

[DJT]

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jwallbutton wrote:

We'll.... I think I've found the problem. I pulled the top of the gearstick, and the cables are in a shocking state a bit further down. Lots of electrical tape (which had come undone) to reveal exposed wires which were touching. One of the cables in to the spade connector on the switch had also come out.

Should be an easy fix!

Do it properly. These fit.

http://www.angtriumph.co.uk/stagodgearleverloom.html


Dave

[jwallbutton]

imported post

DJT wrote:

jwallbutton wrote:

We'll.... I think I've found the problem. I pulled the top of the gearstick, and the cables are in a shocking state a bit further down. Lots of electrical tape (which had come undone) to reveal exposed wires which were touching. One of the cables in to the spade connector on the switch had also come out.

Should be an easy fix!

Do it properly. These fit.

http://www.angtriumph.co.uk/stagodgearleverloom.html


Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the info. I suppose I could purchase the loom, but I've got a good knowledge of electrics, and making my own to a similar design will cost me peanuts. I'll also have to wait up to 5 business days for delivery. I want the Stag out and about tomorrow!

Jon

[DJT]

imported post

jwallbutton wrote:

DJT wrote:

jwallbutton wrote:

We'll.... I think I've found the problem. I pulled the top of the gearstick, and the cables are in a shocking state a bit further down. Lots of electrical tape (which had come undone) to reveal exposed wires which were touching. One of the cables in to the spade connector on the switch had also come out.

Should be an easy fix!

Do it properly. These fit.

http://www.angtriumph.co.uk/stagodgearleverloom.html


Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the info. I suppose I could purchase the loom, but I've got a good knowledge of electrics, and making my own to a similar design will cost me peanuts. I'll also have to wait up to 5 business days for delivery. I want the Stag out and about tomorrow!

Jon

Hi Jon,

Yes I can understand that. The only problem is that the connectors to the o/d switch are not easy to find. OK if yours are still there and re-usable, but a pain if not. The ones from Angtriumph are correct.

Good luck.

Dave

[richardthestag]

imported post

DJT wrote:

jwallbutton wrote:

DJT wrote:

jwallbutton wrote:

We'll.... I think I've found the problem. I pulled the top of the gearstick, and the cables are in a shocking state a bit further down. Lots of electrical tape (which had come undone) to reveal exposed wires which were touching. One of the cables in to the spade connector on the switch had also come out.

Should be an easy fix!

Do it properly. These fit.

http://www.angtriumph.co.uk/stagodgearleverloom.html


Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the info. I suppose I could purchase the loom, but I've got a good knowledge of electrics, and making my own to a similar design will cost me peanuts. I'll also have to wait up to 5 business days for delivery. I want the Stag out and about tomorrow!

Jon

Hi Jon,

Yes I can understand that. The only problem is that the connectors to the o/d switch are not easy to find. OK if yours are still there and re-usable, but a pain if not. The ones from Angtriumph are correct.

Good luck.

Dave

^^^ Mini spade connectors from any branch of halfrauds.

Get everything in place and fitted up the switch then wrapped insulating tape around the gear stick to hold the wire tight to the gearstick and stop it chaffing on the hole where it exits half way down the gear stick. This is normally hidden by the gaitor.

[StagnJag]

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I used the cheapy insulated bullet connectors on mine, after I had threaded the wire through the gear stick. They are made from a pressing and I opened it up a bit to enable it to slide into the connector and make a good electrical connection. OD has worked faultlessly ever since.

Rgds

Dave

[Andy Rundell]

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To be fair to Anglian, they have hardly priced their replacement at a rip-off level

.........Andy

[jwallbutton]

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Ok... well back to this again! I thought I'd solved the problem. I eventually purchased the O/S loom as advised and fitted it (I've assumed seeing as it's a basic on and off switch, it didnt matter which way round the wires went). Everything seemed to be working fine.... until this evening!

Took her out for a blast, and was cruising down the country lanes in 4th with O/D engaged. Went to disengage, and nothing..... then trying to get home I had the same symptoms as before..... what feels like clutch slip and judder when in 1st and 2nd. I'm pretty sure it' still engaged as in 3rd and 4th the rev's are really low.

Any ideas?

Jon

[DJT]

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jwallbutton wrote:

Ok... well back to this again! I thought I'd solved the problem. I eventually purchased the O/S loom as advised and fitted it (I've assumed seeing as it's a basic on and off switch, it didnt matter which way round the wires went). Everything seemed to be working fine.... until this evening!

Took her out for a blast, and was cruising down the country lanes in 4th with O/D engaged. Went to disengage, and nothing..... then trying to get home I had the same symptoms as before..... what feels like clutch slip and judder when in 1st and 2nd. I'm pretty sure it' still engaged as in 3rd and 4th the rev's are really low.

Any ideas?

Jon

Hi Jon,

The o/drive requires power to engage and it disengages when power is switched off. You are correct in that the switch is basically an on/off device and it is immaterial which way it is connected.

You could try removing the o/drive fuse. This will remove power to the solenoid and determine if the switch is faulty: it may have shorted out so it won't switch off.

If the o/drive remains engaged even though the fuse is removed, then it is a mechanical fault.

Dave