Overdrive went out suddenly a couple of weeks back. After ordering a new relay from IPD, I noticed the #11 fuse was blown. Replaced and resoldered the old relay while awaiting the new. Still didn't get OD back, but I could make the light go out by beating on the relay just right. So I figured the blown fuse and dying relay were the only problems.

Got new relay in, and finally had OD for the five-minute drive to the auto parts place. No OD on the way back - light on, then went out. Fuse blown again.

I checked the left-side tranny wiring, and what I could see from below the car looked ok. In the process now of pulling the console/carpeting to see what I can find.

Any other common places I should look? I'm guessing this is a case of bad wiring, since the fuse is blowing. Will probably tackle the tailgate wiring as well, now that I'm thinking about it.

Getting tired of 60mph @ 3000 rpm *sigh*
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'99 S70 T5M, '83 245 DL

Sometimes when the solenoid wire shorts, it will burn a tiny region of copper trace on the relay circuit board (in addition to blowing the fuse). If this copper trace is burned, you can easily jump a small wire across it, as shown below.

The first picture shows the burned trace, the second picture shows the repaired trace and fully resoldered relay.

Finally! I finally get to see Don's resoldered relay pics...

But alas, that was not the problem. Traced the wiring on the right side of the tranny, and saw that the solenoid wire coming out of the shifter "box" was rotted all to hell, and the other length, past the connector, had fallen onto the exhaust piping and burned up. The second half of the wiring was most likely the current problem, and the other half would have been a future problem.

In the process of fixing that now. Will try to post some pics of the damage later tonight or tomorrow.

Quick Q - is that connector necessary? The shifter-to-connector wiring is rotted right up to the connector - I'd need a new one. Right now I'm just going to cut it out and see if I get my OD back.

Soon up for sale - used but presumably working AT OD relay. Minor soldering done from first attempts at repair...
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'99 S70 T5M, '83 245 DL