The Ford Barn

JT FORD · 07-06-2013, 01:11 PM

Having some trouble with my l949 Ford O.D. If I drive around town or short drives it works fine. But, if I drive 20 miles or so and the overdrive kicks out at a stop sign or light it will not kick in again. Just free-wheels. After
parking the car and using it again the next day or later it works fine until it has been driven awhile.

What I have found is, the voltage to the reply form the switch is 6.60 volts, but when I ground the THSW terminal and measure the voltage at the Sol. terminal its 3.76 volts. This must be enough voltage to engage the solenoid sometimes but not after things warm up......I will now remove the relay and look at the points and maybe clean them up
and see if the voltage increases. Or, do you think the relay is toast
Thanks for any help, have had OD in 49-51 cars and never ran into this
problem before.

Ken/Alabama · 07-06-2013, 01:17 PM

Im thinking maybe the govenor might be sticking or have dirty contacts.

charles in east texas · 07-06-2013, 01:18 PM

Sometimes running a 10 gauge wire from relay to solenoid helps. It would not hurt to clean the relay and I don't think it is toast. Might have to clean the solenoid also. Charles

Cecil/WV · 07-06-2013, 06:12 PM

I had the same problem and dealt with it for a couple of years. Cleaned the points and finally bought a new relay from Vanpelt and problem is solved.

52merc · 07-06-2013, 06:22 PM

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yes and use heavy gauge wire all round,,it seems that when you stop then start off again it dont engage to me this is a lack of power to solenoid or the points of it need cleaning

07-06-2013, 01:11 PM	#1
JT FORD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: N.W. Iowa Posts: 306	Question about Overdrive problem? Having some trouble with my l949 Ford O.D. If I drive around town or short drives it works fine. But, if I drive 20 miles or so and the overdrive kicks out at a stop sign or light it will not kick in again. Just free-wheels. After parking the car and using it again the next day or later it works fine until it has been driven awhile. What I have found is, the voltage to the reply form the switch is 6.60 volts, but when I ground the THSW terminal and measure the voltage at the Sol. terminal its 3.76 volts. This must be enough voltage to engage the solenoid sometimes but not after things warm up......I will now remove the relay and look at the points and maybe clean them up and see if the voltage increases. Or, do you think the relay is toast Thanks for any help, have had OD in 49-51 cars and never ran into this problem before.

07-06-2013, 01:17 PM	#2
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,260	Re: Question about Overdrive problem? Im thinking maybe the govenor might be sticking or have dirty contacts.

07-06-2013, 01:18 PM	#3
charles in east texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Winnsboro, Texas Posts: 463	Re: Question about Overdrive problem? Sometimes running a 10 gauge wire from relay to solenoid helps. It would not hurt to clean the relay and I don't think it is toast. Might have to clean the solenoid also. Charles

07-06-2013, 06:12 PM	#4
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,266	Re: Question about Overdrive problem? I had the same problem and dealt with it for a couple of years. Cleaned the points and finally bought a new relay from Vanpelt and problem is solved.

07-06-2013, 06:22 PM	#5
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	Re: Question about Overdrive problem? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) yes and use heavy gauge wire all round,,it seems that when you stop then start off again it dont engage to me this is a lack of power to solenoid or the points of it need cleaning __________________ trev,, whats life "TOUGH" whats tough ' LIFE"