240 overdrive stopped working

Feb 7th, 2006, 22:17

I have a 1983 240GL Estate (320,000 km) with automatic transmission with overdrive. yesterday the "o/drive off" orange light came on and the overdrive went off. The button on the gear shift no longer seems to work. I checked the fuse (no. 11) which is intact with power running through it. Any suggestions?

Ozvolv, Melbourne, Australia

Patrick Garland · Feb 7th, 2006, 22:28

Hi, I had a manual with overdrive many years ago and the overdrive stopped working. The garage man said it was the relay, replaced it and all was well. Can't say that is your problem but might be worth a look.

Mike_Brace · Feb 8th, 2006, 09:35

Check the wires haven't come off the o/d unit.
Mike

Peter D · Feb 8th, 2006, 15:39

Mine was the a wire pulled off the overdrive switch on the gear stick but you say the light comes on this impleased the feed is there but no reaction so that will be corroded contact on the overdrive solenoid. Regards Peter

bogart · Feb 8th, 2006, 19:54

Choice of 2 at fault either switch or the relay. Isnt fault with wiring to or the OD solenoid because if it was the dash light wouldnt have come on. Check relay for dry joints as a starter.
Regards

Feb 8th, 2006, 23:49

My OD and light used to go on and off sort of randomly... it was the relay... located behind the middle part of the dash if I remember correctly... quite an easy fix after a fair bit of investigation, and the cost of the relay wasn't that cheap...
(mine is 1989 240 with the Asian Warner box)

Thanks
Tony

bogart · Feb 9th, 2006, 13:47

Out of interest overdrive relay for a 940 auto is currently £112. Never got as far as asking if that included vat!

Peter D · Feb 10th, 2006, 11:46

The light is powered by the output of the relay so if thats ok then it only leaves the solenoid and it's wiring/connector. There is on some models a gearbox inhibitor switch but that would stop the relay from allowing O/D to be engaged. Regards Peter

bogart · Feb 10th, 2006, 13:08

If its the OD solenoid or its wiring it would not effect the light on the dash.
Hard wire the solenoid and see if it operates, if it does the relay looks faulty, if it doesn't work well its the fault.

Regards

bogart · Feb 10th, 2006, 21:17

Quick add on to the above, as PeterD says the light is fed from the relay, as is the OD solenoid (both same source in relay). Both take the same signal so as both are behaving as expected ie operating correctly OD on light off or OD off light on the fault must be the relay or the switch. Very unlikely to be the switch, though I have had one on a 940. So take out the relay and check for the notorious dry joints. Unlike relays on later models ( full of solid state stuff) this one is a straight forward unit.
Regards

Feb 7th, 2006, 22:17	#1
Ozvolv Guest Location:	240 overdrive stopped working I have a 1983 240GL Estate (320,000 km) with automatic transmission with overdrive. yesterday the "o/drive off" orange light came on and the overdrive went off. The button on the gear shift no longer seems to work. I checked the fuse (no. 11) which is intact with power running through it. Any suggestions? Ozvolv, Melbourne, Australia

Feb 8th, 2006, 09:35	#3
Mike_Brace Former contributor Last Online: Jul 2nd, 2022 07:54 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rhosgoch, Anglesey	Check the wires haven't come off the o/d unit. Mike __________________ A Volvo is for life not just for Christmas!

Feb 7th, 2006, 22:28	#2
Patrick Garland Patrick Last Online: Sep 30th, 2022 00:07 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Clarbeston Road	Hi, I had a manual with overdrive many years ago and the overdrive stopped working. The garage man said it was the relay, replaced it and all was well. Can't say that is your problem but might be worth a look.

Feb 8th, 2006, 15:39	#4
Peter D Peter D Last Online: Mar 2nd, 2015 21:03 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Livingston	Mine was the a wire pulled off the overdrive switch on the gear stick but you say the light comes on this impleased the feed is there but no reaction so that will be corroded contact on the overdrive solenoid. Regards Peter

Feb 8th, 2006, 19:54	#5
bogart Master Member Last Online: Jan 31st, 2023 09:51 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Languedoc Roussillion	Choice of 2 at fault either switch or the relay. Isnt fault with wiring to or the OD solenoid because if it was the dash light wouldnt have come on. Check relay for dry joints as a starter. Regards

Feb 8th, 2006, 23:49	#6
GronyTeen Guest Location:	My OD and light used to go on and off sort of randomly... it was the relay... located behind the middle part of the dash if I remember correctly... quite an easy fix after a fair bit of investigation, and the cost of the relay wasn't that cheap... (mine is 1989 240 with the Asian Warner box) Thanks Tony

Feb 9th, 2006, 13:47	#7
bogart Master Member Last Online: Jan 31st, 2023 09:51 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Languedoc Roussillion	Out of interest overdrive relay for a 940 auto is currently £112. Never got as far as asking if that included vat!

Feb 10th, 2006, 11:46	#8
Peter D Peter D Last Online: Mar 2nd, 2015 21:03 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Livingston	The light is powered by the output of the relay so if thats ok then it only leaves the solenoid and it's wiring/connector. There is on some models a gearbox inhibitor switch but that would stop the relay from allowing O/D to be engaged. Regards Peter

Feb 10th, 2006, 13:08	#9
bogart Master Member Last Online: Jan 31st, 2023 09:51 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Languedoc Roussillion	If its the OD solenoid or its wiring it would not effect the light on the dash. Hard wire the solenoid and see if it operates, if it does the relay looks faulty, if it doesn't work well its the fault. Regards

Feb 10th, 2006, 21:17	#10
bogart Master Member Last Online: Jan 31st, 2023 09:51 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Languedoc Roussillion	Quick add on to the above, as PeterD says the light is fed from the relay, as is the OD solenoid (both same source in relay). Both take the same signal so as both are behaving as expected ie operating correctly OD on light off or OD off light on the fault must be the relay or the switch. Very unlikely to be the switch, though I have had one on a 940. So take out the relay and check for the notorious dry joints. Unlike relays on later models ( full of solid state stuff) this one is a straight forward unit. Regards

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)