Hi,

The overdrive in our '83 245 automatic has never worked in the 40,000 miles that we have owned it. Once I had a shop look at it and they found some electrical issues and fixed them but still no OD. I was reluctant to have them get "into" the tranny because I did not have the cash at the time. Since the 245 has gone from 3rd car status to my daily ride I am interested in getting it working.

The tranny seems happy and recently had a fluid change and filter service. When the car is under way and I depress the OD shut off button on shifter I can hear the relay click on the OD OFF light on the dash comes on. When I press the button again the relay clicks and the light goes off. Is it possible that the click I hear is the solenoid? Of course the OD does not engage or disengage.

I did some reading through the archives last night and was left with the impression that if the electrical connection to the OD solenoid are disconnected than the OD should be in the on position. Is this correct and if so would disconnecting the solenoid be a suitable bypass until the electrical issue is chased down?

Also, I have included ( I hope) an image of my shifter with the cover off. I noticed that the white wire with the black strip has a red sheath around it with a strange hole that may or may not have been put there on purpose. I appears that the hole is from the left screw that holds the cover over the shifter. Either that is supposed to keep the wire in check or it was screwed through by mistake. Is this the wire to the switch?

What is the likelyhood that the OD can be fixed for a reasonable price is the problem is internal?

Feel free to share any other OD thoughts.

Thanks
Chris
'83 245