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big sigh.

every time I think I'm getting a handle on it...

it sounds so easy when you write it out. it took me 2 days just to get all the radio wiring together, and there's still something off with the speakers. I'm a lawyer...there's only one way we know how to screw...it has nothing to do with using tools. I'm getting skills, but slowly. I usually figure out how to do things...eventually...after the third or fourth try...and a couple of new parts to replace the ones I broke in the process...was it like that for you, Derek?

I'm thinking really hard about this one. I'd rather work underneath the car then take everything out. I can always wash off the oil drips. And finding a good mechanic is sounding better and better. How far away is Norwalk?
 
I've always felt that you will learn more with each project so you will know what to do when something happens on the road. You cannot pay enough for that knowledge. And paying someone doesn't teach anything. And do you really get what you pay for? I've often found hidden parts and screws not replace or not tightened when I get my car back. Try it and if you screw up then pay someone. You will then know exactly what he does. Remember that no one loves your car the way you do and will not treat it with that love.
 
[ QUOTE ]
big sigh.

every time I think I'm getting a handle on it...

it sounds so easy when you write it out.

I'm thinking really hard about this one. I'd rather work underneath the car then take everything out.-----/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif No can do!SHG---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
"Im a Lawyer--------------Screw"-Quit braggin and go to work! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Hi Scott,
Here’s a photo of the wiring. I think it shows why you don’t want to attempt this from underneath. The wire that comes from the overdrive relay on the firewall (next to the fusebox) runs along the top of the tranny and plugs into the switch on the gear shifter. I’d clean the contacts and put some “bulb grease” on. This gives you an excuse to fix that speaker problem too.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
124135-odwire.jpg
 
Good news, my Moss overdrive wiring harness (bought at discount from Ken at BRSC came overnight. Other than the connection to the tranny, it installed in 2 minutes with no problems, and also eliminated almost all of the other fried wires that I was looking at. Who knew? So for the moment, I have everything reconnected except the black plastic colored wire to the tranny, which is just wound up in the engine bay at the moment. The car is back to running great, but for the lack of overdrive.

Baby steps.

Thanks for the great photo Greg. Now I understand.
 
Hi Scott....
So what buggered up the wires in the first place, were they chaffing as they passed through a hole in the body?
If so then you must be missing a rubber grommet or something. You need to make sure you rectify that while you're rewiring or else your repair won't last long.
 
Hey Graham. It wasn't chafing, but they just deteriorated all along the wire.

So, I got the seats out, the arm rest etc. out, and found that the carpet was glued down to the padding, and that the padding went from one side, up over the tunnel, to the other. I was able to lift the padding from the side and found that there were no screws holding the tunnel in place, just the padding. Soooo, if a rip out the carpet and padding, I'll never get it back in, which means I'll need to do new carpet. But it was a bad restoration, and the carpet is beige, which means that I'll have to take it all up and replace it, or find something similar etc. Suddenly, this is turning into a lot more money and a lot more problems again. Or, I put it back together and try it from underneath, or just live without overdrive.

What now?
 
Well SHG. If you be very careful you just might get the carpet cement to loosen enough to prise the carpet off the floors using a heat gun.Most conventional adhesives will soften when heated.Sorry about all your trouble.---Keoke
 
I've got a new thought Keoke. What if I run the new overdrive wire down to the old and splice (either solder or connectors)it at the point where it runs along the trans. I realize this isn't optimal, and leaves me exposed to wire deterioration from the transmission heat, but it will get the overdrive working again without having to redo the interior carpet. It seems that a good solid splice should do the job, no?
 
i've got a beach buggy, and have used "corrode cure" which is a battery post grease on all my snap terminals to keep the dreaded green corrosion monster at bay, has worked so far all electricals still working fine.
If it was me doing the o/d harness, after going to all the trouble to get to it you might as well do it right first time!
 
Gentlemen,

I am pleased to announce that I bit the bullet, removed the trans tunnel, properly installed the overdrive harness, reinstalled the carpeting and have survived. Now, I pray that as I drive down the road in my BJ8 with fully operative overdrive, the friggin car doesn't fall apart. But, I did it. Thanks to all of you.
 
Congratulations! Now you can safely remove that tag line. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Don't forget the most important thing when finishing a repair on your LBC. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've got a new thought Keoke. What if I run the new overdrive wire down to the old and splice (either solder or connectors)it at the point where it runs along the trans. I realize this isn't optimal, and leaves me exposed to wire deterioration from the transmission heat, but it will get the overdrive working again without having to redo the interior carpet. It seems that a good solid splice should do the job, no?

NO! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif never seen a good solid splice ever beat a new wire. Glad you got it fixed.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Now you can look forward to your next challenge with a "Yes I can" approach.
By the way, you may wish to carry some wire and a couple of splicers (wire nuts work well for emergencies) in the emergency kit. You can use a good length of the stuff you are discarding.
 
WIRE /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif!!---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
If I knew how to put a photo on here, I would show you what the wire looked like that I had planned to splice. I've never seen anything so completely fried and useless. I had no choice. It was do it right or don't bother at all.

Scott
My wife never replaced an overdrive harness, and she still can't reach the gas pedal.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif SHG that concept fits in with my experience do it right when it needs doing or you will always be on square "1".---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

SHG, You know what!, this whole fiasco in a BJ8 could have been averted simply by removing the white wire on terminal "3" of the fuse block that goes to pin C1 on the overdrive relay and reconnecting it to any one of the fuse block connections that contain "GREEN" Wires . Now the overdrive is fused and total failure as experienced will not accur /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif I am trying to tell you sumpin.---Keoke
 
[ QUOTE ]
My wife never replaced an overdrive harness, and she still can't reach the gas pedal.

[/ QUOTE ]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
Hi Scott,
Go to this thread to see how to attach a photo (plus other tid bits of info) attachments
 
I tried 5 times to upload the photo, but even though I kept reducing the pixels to make it smaller, the file size was too large and I wasn't able to make it under 100k. So, I'll work on that some more later.

In the meantime, Keoke, talk to me. I'm not getting what you mean, and I always listen to you. Are you telling me to double up on the green wires, or connect the white wire on terminal 3 opposite a green wire. I'm not clear. Also, I don't know what it means that the wire is "fused" as opposed to whatever it is now. I want to understand.
 
HI SHG, Yes I would take the {WHITE} switched power lead to the overdrive off terminal Three and relocate on the other side where GREEN wires connect. If you want to talk more get me off list. As the overdrive is hooked up the wire circuit is not proteeted by a fuse.---- Moving the white power wire for the overdrive to the opposite side where green wires are connected adds a fuse in series with the wire circuit to prevent what you just experienced.---Keoke
 
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