Question above overdrive

[tery]

Hi, I don't see a light on the instrument cluster for my overdrive button. Maybe the bulb is burned out but...It...the button...moves very little in and out and actually feels the same pushing it once twice or seven...Also, I don't feel any gear shift when I push the switch either...Like I am traveling at 60mph and the tach is around 2, and there's no change from pushing the overdrive button. I'm used to feeling and seeing a response from the trans from the button, like on a toyo camry or others I've had with an overdrive button on the shifter.. What do folks here think may be going on...??? No light, no tranny response and the button barely goes in...like at most 3/8 inch movement. I'm thinking something is busted and it is always running with the overdrive "kicked in" as it were.
Thanks in advance
T

 

[tommyturbo]

The button for overdrive doesn't move much, I doubt it even moves anywhere near 3/8 of an inch. Sounds like the button itself is bad or the wiring to the computer from the shifter itself, I read on here the wiring does get worn and stop working correctly. The lamp is in the area of the cluster next to the low coolant light in the area where the shifter readout for a column mounted shifter would be. You should feel something and see a change on the tach when overdrive is engaged or disengaged.

 

[tery]

And...if the overdrive is "on", what might I see on the tach cruising at 60mph??/

 

[SHOtimer]

If it is 'on' you would be at just about 2k rpms at 60.

The wiring in the center console probably rubbed up somewhere and broke. It should be a relatively easy fix by removing the console and fixing the wires.

Your button sounds about right - it requires minimal pressure and barely moves. I kinda like it.

Opposed to my '90 Dodge Dakota that has a big button on the dash to the left of the display for OD on/off.

Doug

 

[tommyturbo]

btw it defaults to overdrive on every time you start the car.

 

[tery]

I'll bet you're right about the center console, the swing back/open ashtray cover won't open, it's binding on something and I have just not had time or warm air enough to go mess with finding out why, but someone either tried to repair something or change something and I'll bet you're right that they did something to the wire. I'll get to it by...July, usually in July we aren't freezing our *#^$!! a** off, but who know these days,,, We were supposed to get 21 below zero again on Thursday morning, but that report has moderated to 12 below, Maybe they noticed its !!FEBRUARY!!

 

[rubydist]

in my experience, where it usually breaks is actually inside the shifter handle/lever. The wire is very light gauge and it doesn't take much of a tug on it to just break it.

I have seen where guys have just wired it to a new switch, and mounted it on the console somewhere. iirc, closing the switch just grounds the wire that comes from the pcm.

 

[msteiny]

Do you have a cover over the tranny cooler? Its butt cold up here Tery, is your tranny even warm enough the lock up the torque converter. The switch might be fine if your car isn't warm enough. Just sayin.

 

[rubydist]

cold trans fluid will result in no torque converter lockup, but you will still be able to lock out o/d - in which case the tach will jump up and the "o/d off" light will come on. that does not sound like the issue he is describing.

 

[tery]

THank you both...no, I get no light and it doesn't matter how warm tranny is, it still doesn't turn off the overdrive, i'd know...that's what made me ask, because I was not feeling seeing or hearing a shift either way. thanks for the information!!

 

[EL SHO]

THank you both...no, I get no light and it doesn't matter how warm tranny is, it still doesn't turn off the overdrive, i'd know...that's what made me ask, because I was not feeling seeing or hearing a shift either way. thanks for the information!!

I would say that if your O/D is working, just leave it alone. I wish my O/D worked correctly. The O/D in my car can't stay engaged for more than 30 seconds and it will go back to 4th gear and will not lock the TC until I come to a complete stop and go again.

Either the oil pressure is leaking inside making the TC to slip or the O/D servo has gone bad.

So if yours works, IMO just leave it like that

 

[msteiny]

I finally hopped in my car and tested this out for you. After I everything warmed up at 60 I was turning 2K, I disengaged the OD and then I was turning 3K. If I were u I wouldn't really worry about it till spring. I only turn mine off in traffic or when Im putzing around town.

 

[rubydist]

its not quite that big of step - the ratio in 4th is 0.70:1, in 3rd its 1:1, so if you are at 2000 rpm in 4th, at the same speed you would be at 2850 in 3rd.

 

[tery]

Thanks as ever for your great replies. I probably would leave it alone most of the time too, I mostly was just wondering why there was no response or light from the button...And speaking of idiot lights...is there supposed to be one that shows that the cruise control is on?? It works fine but there isn't a light on the dash, is there supposed to be one??
Take Care, Stay warm./
T

 

[Fordlover96]

Thanks as ever for your great replies. I probably would leave it alone most of the time too, I mostly was just wondering why there was no response or light from the button...And speaking of idiot lights...is there supposed to be one that shows that the cruise control is on?? It works fine but there isn't a light on the dash, is there supposed to be one??
Take Care, Stay warm./
T

That would be a no. Well, not that I ever noticed....

 

[rubydist]

not on these cars - that came later.