The Ford Barn

Kens 36 · Yesterday, 12:05 PM

Barry,

It is best to do the tests I mentioned with the engine off - you don't want the readings affected by whether the generator is charging or not.

You result tells me you are losing voltage through the ignition switch - which is quite common. Try connecting the input to the relay directly to the BAT terminal on the voltage regulator.

Ken

rotorwrench · Yesterday, 12:15 PM

Auto and aircraft manufacturers both consider whether an individual electrical circuit is either a continuous circuit or an intermittent circuit when selecting wire sizes. The overdrive circuit is the one system that is mounted in what is referred to as a swamp area which is constantly at the mercy of the weather and road conditions in relation to where it's all mounted. The power in had to be switched in order to isolate it when the car is non operational. That's why they connected it to the ignition switch. The system has it's own fuse at the little relay so the wiring is protected when operational. The system has two or three individual switches below the floor depending on year of manufacture. This includes the kick down, the rail if so equipped, and the governor switches. The relay switch is well up in the engine compartment where it is better protected. The operating solenoid's internal switches are protected by it's outer case. Ford did their best to use insulating coverings on the overdrive circuitry but folks find out how long it actually lasts in service when problems start to show up. The ignition switches were pretty reliable but nothing mechanical lasts forever. When operational problems show up, all these switches should be checked for condition, loose connections, or resistance through the immediate system. High resistance anywhere will affect the function of the system as a whole. If a person drives he car a lot, it's not a bad idea to find good replacements for the parts of the system with the most common issues. I have spares for everything.

Yesterday, 12:05 PM	#21
Kens 36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 578	Re: OD not working on '53 Ford 3-spd w/R10 Barry, It is best to do the tests I mentioned with the engine off - you don't want the readings affected by whether the generator is charging or not. You result tells me you are losing voltage through the ignition switch - which is quite common. Try connecting the input to the relay directly to the BAT terminal on the voltage regulator. Ken __________________ https://www.nirgv8.org

Yesterday, 12:15 PM	#22
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,018	Re: OD not working on '53 Ford 3-spd w/R10 Auto and aircraft manufacturers both consider whether an individual electrical circuit is either a continuous circuit or an intermittent circuit when selecting wire sizes. The overdrive circuit is the one system that is mounted in what is referred to as a swamp area which is constantly at the mercy of the weather and road conditions in relation to where it's all mounted. The power in had to be switched in order to isolate it when the car is non operational. That's why they connected it to the ignition switch. The system has it's own fuse at the little relay so the wiring is protected when operational. The system has two or three individual switches below the floor depending on year of manufacture. This includes the kick down, the rail if so equipped, and the governor switches. The relay switch is well up in the engine compartment where it is better protected. The operating solenoid's internal switches are protected by it's outer case. Ford did their best to use insulating coverings on the overdrive circuitry but folks find out how long it actually lasts in service when problems start to show up. The ignition switches were pretty reliable but nothing mechanical lasts forever. When operational problems show up, all these switches should be checked for condition, loose connections, or resistance through the immediate system. High resistance anywhere will affect the function of the system as a whole. If a person drives he car a lot, it's not a bad idea to find good replacements for the parts of the system with the most common issues. I have spares for everything.