I've got a '78 262 with an M46 transmission. Drive train has 105,000 miles on it. Occasionally when attempting to disengage the overdrive the od stays engaged until I shift into third. After a few seconds of being in third gear I can feel the od disengage and rpm increase. This happens mostly on longer drives. The dash od light follows the switch action fine. Also I don't have a problem getting the od to engage. I'm contemplating having the od unit rebuilt at a shop but would like to see if any odites might offer an opinion on what is the issue. Tranny fluid was replaced at 100,000 with type F non-synthetic. Thanks

Before you spend money on a complete rebuild, remove the solenoid, disassemble it, (following specific instructions obtainable from me), clean inside the coil area before replacing the O-rings INSIDE the solenoid, reassemble the solenoid and test drive.

What is probably happening: inside the solenoid is a piston that has two very small O-rings around it that keep the fluid from entering the coil body where it has no way to get out, and from getting out the front of the solenoid while the OD is engaged. When the O-ring that is supposed to keep fluid from inside the coil body allows fluid into an area where it cannot escape, the fluid keeps th episton from retracting to the off position until it bleeds past the same O-ring that let it in in the first place. In your case, it just happens to coincide to when you downshift to third and the system pressure is falling.

Ask for the instructons at ODGuru at kc.rr dot com.

Duane

Check wires, relay, and tranny fluid.

Al

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84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, in hibernation; 89, 245 DL, 240K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K ; and other toys.