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Overdrive Gremlins 1 -- Sam 0

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sammyb

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Changed the oil, ensured the solenoid was working, and OD still isn't engaging.

In the manual it says to check the operating valve is seating and lifting correctly. Then in bold type it says BEFORE REMOVING THE PLUG IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO RELEASE OIL PRESSURE FROM THE SYSTEM BY OPERATING THE VALVE SETTING LEVER BY HAND ABOUT TEN TIMES.

Now I might just be a dummy, but I see no other references to the valve setting lever in the manual, and therefore don't know how to operate it by hand.

Any ideas?
 
Sam,

The valve operating lever is the same lever that is attached to the solenoid. That lever is attached to a shaft which goes straight through the OD to the operating lever on the outside opposite side of the OD case. Inside the case on that shaft is a cam that raises and lowers a shaft which pressurizes the OD system (simplified). By operating the lever ten times on the right side of your OD case you will equalize or release the pressure. I'm not sure you actually built any pressure up if nothing is working though. Is the hole in the operating lever on the right side lining up with the hole in the OD case when the OD is fully engaged with the solenoid? In the mean time I guess I'll go down stairs and get my OD manual out. Oh and did you bleed the air out?
 
OK I wasn't very clear. The Valve setting lever is the same lever I'm calling the valve operating lever. It's the lever with the hole through it on the right side of the OD. You can also just use the solenoid to activate and release the pressure as long as the valve setting lever is completely engaging (adjusted properly).
 
Outstanding Harry -- this is exactly what I needed to know.

I stupidly put the cover back on and the interior back in (being optimistic that it would all work.) Maybe next weekend I'll get back in there and check the ball/seat for gunk. There was a lot of sludge under the filter, but no real particles. I wonder if sludge is up in the ball/seal area?
 
SammyB, Until you can borrow a pressure guage to determine if the pump in the OD is working there is not much sense IMOP in trying to make a non working OD function.The pump and its companion accumulator are the heart of the OD.---Fwiw--Keoke
 
Sammy, I feel your pain my J type is malfunctioned and looks to need a new solenoid.But they are not cheap and I hate to spend the bucks on a WAG.....
MD(mad dog)
 
Sam,

Do the basic troubleshooting tests recommended by Moss first. If after that it shows no improvement then you have to make some decisions. Basically, Do I repair or send it out?
 
I'm going to check the two balls and seats for gunk, then test. If these don't work, I'm simply going to drive it w/o the OD. I actually don't use the OD at all because I'm rarely on the freeway (and I'm never in the 70 zone south of Olympia.)
 
I couldn't wait -- I went out and stripped off the tunnel again and checked the ball and seat on top, and it was fine.

I checked the solenoid lever setting, and it was dead on.

I started to go after the lower ball/seat, but I decided not to take off the lever/cover etc... Too worried about breaking something right now without enough time.

Interestingly, I decided to check the oil level again. It kept taking more oil! I think I had the spout up against the ridge, so it spit out oil too early when I filled. I'm actually going to have to get another quart of 30wt ND, because this might be my problem.

It would be so much easier to fill from the top and check from the side!!!

Anyway, I'll update y'all when I get a chance later -- I'll be gone for the rest of the day.
 
See attached and get the larger one of these to fill the gearbox/OD through the plug.
 

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You are a genius, Harry! I have been using a syringe and tube to make a mess with. I have one of these sitting in my shop, wondering what I could use it for. Made my day.



Bill
 
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