Engaging Overdrive

[kfitz]

How long should it take for the overdrive to engage after throwing the switch on the dash? The overdrive engages anywhere from 20 to 45 seconds and sometimes longer on my 66 BJ8. It also does not engage at all in third gear.

Any thoughts on what I should do to check it?

Thanks.

 

[tahoe healey]

My BJ8 switches immediatly in both 3rd and 4th. I really have no idea why there is a delay but I'd start by checking if there is muck slowing up the mechanicals form engaging. It may just need cleaning. If the switch works (electrical) and the over-drive works, whats left?
Rich

 

[Dave Russell]

Kevin,

The OD should engage immediately in third & fourth gears. There are several reasons why it may not.
Check these links first. As many times as this question comes up we need a way to permanently show them on this site.

https://www.ntahc.org./techtips/OVERDRIVE1.html
https://www.team.net/www/healey/tech/big_hly/od/delborder_od.html
https://www.team.net/www/healey/tech/big_hly/od/adj_trblsht_od.html
https://athene.as.arizona.edu/~fwildi/cars/tech_talk/overdrive_frame.htm
D

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by kfitz:
How long should it take for the overdrive to engage after throwing the switch on the dash? The overdrive engages anywhere from 20 to 45 seconds and sometimes longer on my 66 BJ8. It also does not engage at all in third gear.
Any thoughts on what I should do to check it?
Thanks.<hr></blockquote>

 

[kfitz]

Thank you Dave for the links on information on Overdrives, they are very helpful. I should be able to solve my problem.

Once again you have been very helpful - thank you.

 

[kfitz]

thank you also tahoe healey for the information and advice, I did not mean to exclude you before.

 

[golf]

There is a switch on the left side of the gear shift on my BJ7. I assume it is the same on your car.If the gearshift is fairly loose,it my not engage the switch in third and\or forth gears.This is exactly what happened to me.I'm not sure if you can get to the switch without removing the trans tunnel.Good luck.Ben