Overdrive question

JasonNC
JasonNC Expert Adviser
edited March 2013 in HUDSON
How much should freewheeling is involved in a car equipped with overdrive. I switched to a 12 volt solenoid and now it seems that my 48 Commodore Six freewheels more in overdrive than it did with the old solenoid. I'm at a loss as to why it would make a difference.

Comments

  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Hmmm, the engine should idle (freewheel) at speeds under 18-20 when the governor says it's going fast enough to 'Clunk' into overdrive, with the attendant lowering of rpm.

    At what speed do you notice engagement...or isn't it engaging at all.
  • Fred
    Fred Expert Adviser
    My 48 has been running on 12 volt for 20 years (with 6 volt solenoid.) Sounds as if the relay contacts may not be contacting.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    Just curious: did you switch the car to 12 volt as well, or just the solenoid? (I'm not sure how this would affect freewheeling but thought it couldn't hurt to know...)
  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    The car was switched to 12 volts several years ago. I was using a 6 volt solenoid for a 48-49 model that Park had suggested that I use by installing a resistor/jumper wire between the #3 & #4 terminals. It was working great, but since I had spent nearly $300.00 for the 12 volt solenoid and thinking it was just a matter of time before the six volt went out, I exchanged them. The car may be running as it should, I'm just not sure. It just seems to freewheel when I'm going downhill and it is using more rpm to maintain speed than it did with the older solenoid. If it keeps it up, anyone interested in new 12 volt solenoid?
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    It could be it is not engaging into overdrive. That solenoid is a sort of twist lock instal/remove thing. loosen the mounting bolt and pull out on solenoid , if it comes right out its not properly engaged. You have to turn it about 30 degrees (to the left if I recall corectly) and push it in then turn and line up the mounting bolt and pull to see if its hooked in. If it resists you it s ok bolt it down.
    Roger
  • DocHornet
    DocHornet Expert Adviser
    Yes, definitely, if the engine is freewheeling, then the overdrive is NOT engaged.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Try pulling the control knob out when you are driving. If it comes out, then the overdrive is not engaged. Once the solenoid is energised you cannot disengage the overdrive until you are below cut-in speed, or you use the kick-down.
  • JasonNC
    JasonNC Expert Adviser
    I bypassed the resistor wire and wired the 12 volt straight from the relay to the solenoid. I even tried straight wiring the solenoid by simply running a hot wire straight to the solenoid through a toggle switch. I am going to attach a jumper wire to the solenoid frame to the negative battery post and attach another jumper wire to the positive post, put it to the #4 terminal and see if the pawl pin goes out. If not, then the solenoid is going back to the vendor.
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