Unknown switch

Unknown
Unknown
edited November -1 in HUDSON
I have been out in the garage the last couple of evenings since it has finally cooled down here in Texas. I was working on my 53 Super Wasp and decided that the wiring has to be redone. I have wired numerous vehicles and since the Hudson is so simple, I forsee no problems. I am also a cheapskate and do not want to purchase something that I can do myself. If I wasn't working on the car, I would be watching TV. I do not have any experience with overdrive, though, and know that mine is not working, but should be. I have noticed a switch that was tucked behind some wires on the firewall. There are four wires going to a white plug with a switch plugged into it that has a long threaded stem about 1 1/2" long with a small button on the end. I am assuming that this is the actuator for the overdrive but the wiring doesn't seem long enough to reach the foot feed. Any ideas as to what it might be? I will take a picture and post if necessary, but I know one of you experts will be able to tell me right off.
Thanks in advance, Bob

Comments

  • MikeWA
    MikeWA Senior Contributor
    From your description, it sounds like you are looking at the "kickdown switch". However, there is also an Overdrive Relay that is on the firewall on the driver's side. And several other connections. I am gradually accumulating enough information to be a hazard, but not enough to actually know what I am doing. I have a '48 stepdown on which the overdrive doesn't work, but I am not yet knowledgable enough to understand why it doesn't. I plan to get mine into the shop (after I fix the tractor that is in there now) and fix it this winter. I will be watching for any information you can develope from your particular OD problem, and will shamelessy assimilate same to increase my knowledge.
  • Uncle Josh
    Uncle Josh Senior Contributor
    Sounds like the kickdown switch to me. Is there a hole for it under the accelerator? And is there a hard round pad on the bottom of the accelerator to contact it? It's a normally closed 'and' switch. You need power from the OD relay box thru the Kickdown switch, AND the lockout switch on the end of the overdrive unit, AND the governor to the solonoid. The governor is normally open and closes around 18-20 MPH.



    When running in Overdrive, and the kickdown switch is pressed, the current to the solonoid is interupted, and the ignition is momentarily shorted to allow the overdrive to release.



    The kickdown switch is normally mounted under the accelerator which requires full power to kick it down to standard 3rd. Some of us mount it elsewhere, like near the clutch so it can be dropped out of overdrive without flooring it.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Uncle Josh wrote:
    Sounds like the kickdown switch to me. Is there a hole for it under the accelerator? And is there a hard round pad on the bottom of the accelerator to contact it? It's a normally closed 'and' switch. You need power from the OD relay box thru the Kickdown switch, AND the lockout switch on the end of the overdrive unit, AND the governor to the solonoid. The governor is normally open and closes around 18-20 MPH.

    When running in Overdrive, and the kickdown switch is pressed, the current to the solonoid is interupted, and the ignition is momentarily shorted to allow the overdrive to release.

    The kickdown switch is normally mounted under the accelerator which requires full power to kick it down to standard 3rd. Some of us mount it elsewhere, like near the clutch so it can be dropped out of overdrive without flooring it.

    I see the overdrive relay on the upper, driver's side of the firewall, and suppose the kickdown switch is the switch that I asking about. It was just hanging there and the mounting nut is gone. I am pretty sure the wiring isn't long enough to have mounted the switch low enough for the gas pedal or your feet to actuate it. But, then again, a lot of the wiring has been cobbled up under the hood. I'll fix that, starting this weekend.
    Thanks for the help, Bob
  • Nevada Hudson
    Nevada Hudson Senior Contributor
    I had Ken Perkins fix my overdrive years ago. Ken rewires it so there is a toggle switch under the dash, flick it on and off when needed. The Pull in knob works as usual. Ken is in the Southern California Chapter (818) 378-1992; Ken will be glad to tell you how to do it.
  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    Nevada Hudson wrote:
    I had Ken Perkins fix my overdrive years ago. Ken rewires it so there is a toggle switch under the dash, flick it on and off when needed. The Pull in knob works as usual. Ken is in the Southern California Chapter (818) 378-1992; Ken will be glad to tell you how to do it.

    my dad's site has instructions for wiring the overdrive in the method Nevada hudson describes http://home.earthlink.net/~dsollon/public.htm/ go to the tips page its about halfway down. provided your overdrive is mechaniclly sound and you have a good solenoid you'll be set up pretty easily.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Bob... the schematic for wiring a Hudson Overdrive is on my website.



    U are right about working on the car now that the temps are cooler. If you get stuck.. email If in Waco ... we can look at my Wasp... BTW.. I take the harnesses out and replace all the wiring with new wires using the original connectors... just cut off enough of the exisiting wiring to allow soldering new wire harness to the old... use Shrink to cover and wrap all with harness wrap... looks OEM.



    I have also attached a copy of that schematic here... good luck.
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