Bricksters,

My 1983 240T won't engage overdrive. I replaced the OD relay, but that didn't make any difference. Then I discovered that the wiring running from the solenoid up into the car was thrashed. The wire running from the solenoid to its connector was dangling loose, and the wire upstream of that connector has no more insulation.

I do not have a repair manual, other than an almost worthless Chilton's that came with the car when I bought it, but I do have a Haynes for my 700-series cars. I took a look at the 700 wiring diagram pertaining to the AW71's OD circuit and it looks to me like the wiring from the relay to the solenoid is that which needs to be replaced. Problem is, it doesn't look at all easy to do. I haven't given up yet -- just wondering what my alternatives are, at this point.

John at VPI told me the other day that some people will bypass the AW71 OD solenoid by taking a Dremel tool and routing a channel between the two orifices in the OD solenoid. The result is a tranny in which OD is always on (which is the way just about everybody use their cars anyway, I suspect). Before I decide to do this, however, I thought I'd ask here to find out if anyone else has done it.

So, which is the easier repair? Replacing the bad wiring or routing out the solenoid (assuming the latter actually works)?

Thanks!