2 cars, 2 probs;

1. 92 740T AW71. Trans leaks. Inspection seems to show that the od solenoid is leaking. In the FAQ there is mention of the cover cracking and massive leaks emanating, from a Scantech solenoid. I'm not sure what's in there, but had not heard of this before. It seems a replacement solenoid is the way to go though, correct?


2. 91 740 NA AW71L. Once in a while when starting, the car will not come out of park. Turning off the car and restarting has so far been successful. This model has the brake engage/shift lock. Is this mechanical, or a switch somewhere/ inside the lever?

My 91 745 has that same lock, i can actually hear it disenguage when i press the brake pedal, ive actually been thinking of digging down in there and just removing the locking portion of the switch.

Some results; the 92 leak was at least in part the solenoid. Under the good condition rubber boot on top, the plastic top of the solenoid was blown apart and leaking badly. A replacement was had and works, but the orings were pretty much completely flat, and although swapped carefully may still be seeping a bit. Or, the rear housing/tailshaft bushing is leaking. More to follow, but much less fluid is being lost.

Shifter lock; no coffee down there. Will explore turning the key back slightly, thought I tried that but will again. Good to know about the small switch on the shifter, didn't know that.

I don't know if they are the same. I have a 97 960 the ignition switch has to be turned back a couple of degrees after starting or it will not come out of park.

jerryc, I have a 91 740 and if memory serves me the shift interlock works off the brake light switch on the brake pedal. When power is sent to the brake lights it also sends power to the interlock switch at the bottom of the shift lever (drivers side I believe).I had a short in one of my taillights and it would lock the shifter in park and make it very difficult to change the fuse.

Don't rule out spilled coffee, sodas down the shifter area.
--
Post Back. That's whats makes this forum work.

For 1) I think there is a gasket between the OD and the trans. If not, I don't know if you could add one because the added thickness might interfere with the OD functioning. I remember someone mentioning this ... possibly Art Benstein?

2) I couldn't tell you which. I hate those shift-lock things. I'd really want to rip mine apart and remove it... but I believe that it uses the brake switch to detect you hitting the brakes. More than that, I can't tell you.

Good Luck!