Overdrive still acting up.

JasonNC
JasonNC Expert Adviser
edited October 2012 in HUDSON
Okay, it wasn't just the fused line that was causing the overdrive to fail. Even the 25 amp fuses are blowing after the car is driven for about 10 miles. The 6 volt solenoid refuses to engage after the car has been driven for about the same period, even when you straight wire it w/o the fused line. Looks like I'm going to have to get the 12 volt solenoid.

Comments

  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    Yep. I figure you're right. Looks like I'm going have to fork out for the money for a twelve volt solenoid.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    Jason, if you have a good '48-'49 solenoid you can use a resistor to drop the voltage. Run the power wire directly to the #4 terminal, and run a jumper wire with a 4 ohm, 25-50 watt wire-wound resistor from the #4 terminal over to the #3 solenoid terminal. And for the power feed(from switch or relay to the solenoid), use a wire no heavier than 16 ga. The 16 ga. wire will serve as somewhat of a resistor, dropping a couple of volts.

    This setup will still pump almost 12v to the pull-in coil (briefly), but only 6v to the hold-in coil. The pull-in only works for a brief time, so it'll handle the momentary 12v OK.
  • bartibog1
    bartibog1 Expert Adviser
    there are a couple of 12 volt solenoids on e bay right now that will likely work fo you
    45.00
    http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1964-1966-Studebaker-Overdrive-Solenoid-/251172413842?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7b0ae192
    steve
  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    Park, I had a setup using the resistor from the #3 & #4 terminals and the OD worked well for a while. It was when I tried to upgrade to a relay instead of a direct connection. In doing so, I upped the wiring gauge to 12 to terminal #4, at which time the solenoid stopped engaging and began making a humming noise. I don't know if I burned the old 48 solenoid up or not, but the post 50 solenoid I'm pretty sure is toast. I'll try the setup you just described and let you know what happens.
  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    Query Park: When I attached my small set of jumper cables to the 48 solenoid (positive to #4 and negative to ground), the plunger vibrates quickly instead of coming out and staying out like the 50 solenoid did. Does that mean the solenoid is shot?
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    edited October 2012
    Jason, it's acting perfectly normal. When it energizes, as soon as the plunger moves out the "disconnect points" in it open up, so it de-energizes, then the points close and it energizes again, etc. If you apply power to the #4 and the #3 terminals at the same time, it'll behave just as it does on the transmission.

    If you get it installed and it doesn't pull in properly, the #12 wire may be dropping too much voltage. Jumper the power wire with a heavier wire and see if that fixes it.
  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    Okay Park,
    I got it installed and it worked perfectly while on jack stands. I'm going to test drive it a few minutes. The kickdown switch is even working. I ran a wire from my indicator light to that #7 terminal and it works as a ground to let me know when I have the overdrive toggle switch on. Thanks for the help.
  • raidmagic
    raidmagic Senior Contributor
    Jason did you do the 12v conversion yourself? If so did you do a write up on it anywhere I could read to educate myself. I am wanting to do this conversion.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    raid, send me a pvt mail with your email address and I'll send you my tech notes on 12v conversion.
  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    Raid, do what Park says. I used his notes to do my conversion. The man is a genius. (That should get me some brownie points for when I need you again, huh Park).
  • raidmagic
    raidmagic Senior Contributor
    Message sent, thanks Park.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion