Ridgetone Triumph Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 While driving through town and in 3rd gear I flicked the switch to select O/D and it went straight in, a few minutes later and at the traffic lights alls well. I get a mile further and finally got into top gear than selected O/D again, nothing happened 🤔I flicked the switch in and out but still nothing. It last worked in 3rd so I changed down into 3rd and switched into O/D, it went straight in. I changed into 4th and engaged O/D again and nothing happened 🙁 So I changed down again to 3rd and the O/D worked, it wont engage while in 4th gear only 3rd. However if I am in 3rd O/D and change into 4th it stays in 4th O/D.....Confused, I am. Any thoughts???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Yes the inhibitor switch needs some adjustment so its live in 3rd and 4th bit of wear and tear and it doenst always make contact ,Often giving the gear stick a pull to one side will make the switch work which just proves a little de shimming of the switch is neededpete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobPearce Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 On what car? I'm guessing big saloon, so the same box as my old Stag, which had the same problem when warm. It turned out a previous owner had fitted two shim washers under the inhibitor switch. Lose one of them and it was spot on. Of course, access to the inhibitor switch on the Stag is a major pig - not sure the saloons are much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgetone Triumph Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 Quoted from RobPearce On what car? I'm guessing big saloon, so the same box as my old Stag, which had the same problem when warm. It turned out a previous owner had fitted two shim washers under the inhibitor switch. Lose one of them and it was spot on. Of course, access to the inhibitor switch on the Stag is a major pig - not sure the saloons are much better. Quoted from Pete Lewis Yes the inhibitor switch needs some adjustment so its live in 3rd and 4th bit of wear and tear and it doenst always make contact ,Often giving the gear stick a pull to one side will make the switch work which just proves a little de shimming of the switch is neededpete Thanks for the replies chaps, that is a good start. When I put in another box on the 2.5 estate the overdrive didn't work at all, when we removed the inhibitor switch the small ball end was rusted solid (the swapped box had laid dormant for 20 odd years) So swapper the switch with the old one and all was well. As you say Pete it most likely the switch needs some adjustment.......Hmmm I think we had to drop the rear of the box to gain access too 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Makes you wonder if a hole saw through the tunnel would give easier access Unless you have very long thin fingers its not the best designed location.ive a few jobs on mine like check quill shaft, prop uj and gearbox jumps out of 1st so must remember to check mine when its off.anytime now pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 There are some grommets in the tunnel suitably placed above the gearbox, you have to remove the plastic surround to access them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Colin , thats useful pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgetone Triumph Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 Cheers Colin, now I know what those grommets are for 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I'm 95% sure that it is the inhibit switch/adjustment which is, as already stated, the problem here but would suggest you check the wires around the base of the gear lever carefully as I have had a few fray (sometimes internally which is tricky to spot except by feeling for a partial break/weak bendy bit and looking to see if the colour of the insulation looks faded) where they flex and cause similar issues. If nothing else you may as well check and if necessary renew while it's all 'open'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgetone Triumph Posted February 10, 2017 Author Share Posted February 10, 2017 Quoted from Dale I'm 95% sure that it is the inhibit switch/adjustment which is, as already stated, the problem here but would suggest you check the wires around the base of the gear lever carefully as I have had a few fray (sometimes internally which is tricky to spot except by feeling for a partial break/weak bendy bit and looking to see if the colour of the insulation looks faded) where they flex and cause similar issues. If nothing else you may as well check and if necessary renew while it's all 'open'. Thanks Dale, I can see some work heading' Poo's' way soon, he has been neglected of late so is getting its own back 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgetone Triumph Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 I collected 'Poo' and drove him back 🙂As he has been parked up for a while I haven't done any inhibitor switch adjustments but when I was driving him home I engaged the switch and nothing happened.....There's a surprise (dizzy) I dropped down to 3rd engaged and still nothing 🤔Don't know what made me do it but I placed my thumb heavily on the switch and slid it in and out about a hundred times........It engaged at one point (scared) I then experimented with the switch and found it engages and disengages overdrive if you press the switch hard, if I lightly push the switch it doesn't do anything. I am now thinking the switch on top of the gear lever is the problem. After a good few miles of driving and constant heavy pressure use of the switch things have been restored as now lightly engaging the switch works every time 😎 The wiring down the gear stick was replaced a little while ago so I think maybe the actual overdrive switch is wearing out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raider Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I flipping hate those overdrive switches in the gearknob >See my blog ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Petethe grease has gone hard.cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgetone Triumph Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 Quoted from Raider I flipping hate those overdrive switches in the gearknob >See my blog ! That's a good idea Martin, did that with the race car, totally trouble free 😉Quoted from thescrapman Petethe grease has gone hard.cheers I can pull it apart and inject some fresh, or give it to my Auto Electrician to do, he's a dab hand at old Lucas equipment 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgetone Triumph Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 Oh forgot to say....Lovely Cherry fragrance wafting around inside 'Poo' driving back to my place 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StagNL Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Stcik mounted OD switches can go duff after a few weeks. All sorts of issues can happen. Mine generally failed to make electrical contact internally.Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Those switches can be dismantled with a bit of care, cleaned up and reassembled with fresh grease. Did this with our Spitfire one recently as it was as knackered as everything else....... Also had to do the inhibitor switch and reversing light switch.Failed on the light switch as someone had already had it apart and lost the moving contact 🙁Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radders Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Quoted from Raider I flipping hate those overdrive switches in the gearknob >See my blog ! I have a similar performance overdrive gearknob to Martin, but mine is an Austin Healey one. Fit and forget! 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iggy Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Quoted from Raider I flipping hate those overdrive switches in the gearknob >See my blog ! hi i like the look of the black overdrive gearknob in your blog where did you buy it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radders Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Quoted from iggy hi i like the look of the black overdrive gearknob in your blog where did you buy it? https://www.ukmgparts.com/product/brr-brr18-gearbox/gear-knob-with-o-drive-switch-black-stn1051b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iggy Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 thanks for the link Radders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgetone Triumph Posted March 16, 2017 Author Share Posted March 16, 2017 I took my toggle switch of the race car and reverted back to the standard switch as at the most inappropriate times when in close proximity with fellow competitors one has been known to knock this darn toggle switch while changing down into second and ended up in overdrive 2nd instead of 2nd or even worse 4th overdrive > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raider Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Quoted from iggy thanks for the link Radders They come with a different thread size though so you need to think about this. I got hold of a non overdrive gearlever which are not as easy to find as you might think. This has a 5/16ths UNC thread but the overdrive gearknob I ordered is a 5/16ths UNF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piman Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Hello Radders, if you look at the works rally 2000s, that was the type of knob and switch combination they used. Probably judged too 'agricultural' for a production car.Alec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radders Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Quoted from piman Hello Radders, if you look at the works rally 2000s, that was the type of knob and switch combination they used. Probably judged too 'agricultural' for a production car.Alec Hi Alec, yes, I've seen them on the works cars. I have to say I much prefer the feel of them to the Mk2 'slide' type, plus the overdrive stalk on the column can then be used for something else. (Wipers, full beam etc. Handy on night rallies.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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