[Healeys] stuck in overdrive

[Chris Dimmock]

Gary,
If you can't get it to go in and out of overdrive, (ie drive on the open road
and select overdrive, but it doesn't go in and out) then it may already be
stuck in overdrive.
If so - jack the car up & support
it correctly. Ie so you don't kill yourself.

Get your knockoff hammer, and get underneath.

Hit the steel sandwich plate in the centre area of the alloy overdrive body a
few times with your knockoff  hammer. Sharp raps rather than belting - you
can't get a big swing anyway, and you don't need one.

Now take it down off the ramps/ jacks/ stands, and go for a drive & see if you
can select overdrive now (or more correctly, unselect overdrive)

The overdrive springs sometimes get stuck - its the springs that release it.
The solenoid selects under hydraulic pressure -springs release.
A Healey locked in overdrive is impossible to push backwards.
Good luck

Best
Chris
www.myaustinhealey.com

Sent from my iPhone

> On 1 Jun 2014, at 5:37 am, "BJ8Healeys" <sbyers at ec.rr.com> wrote:
>
> Gary, I had a problem with my BJ8 overdrive sticking a few years ago,
> apparently caused by using  the Walmart cheap Accel brand 30W non-detergent
> oil.  I discovered the problem while trying to push the car backwards out
of
> the garage.  After several tries, thinking the brakes might be stuck, there
> was a "bang" and the overdrive released.  When it happened again a couple
> months later, I just made sure I parked where I didn't have to back up
until
> I had a chance to change the oil.  I do not know which part in the
overdrive
> was "stuck", but just changing the oil solved the sticking problem.
> That experience may or may not help your friend, but I provide it for what
> it's worth.  Otherwise, I don't know how to get it to release.
>
> Steve Byers
> HBJ8L/36666
> BJ8 Registry
> AHCA Delegate at Large
> Havelock, NC USA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of
> warthodson at aol.com
> Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 9:59 AM
> To: healeys at autox.team.net
> Subject: [Healeys] stuck in overdrive
>
> A friend is 1.5 days from home & just called to tell me his overdrive is
> stuck in the engaged position. I told him I would see if the group has any
> suggestions on how to disengage it. the car is a 100 with 4 speed trans. &
> OD.
> My friend is an electrician so I believe we can eliminate any electrical
> issues. This appears to be a mechanical/hydraulic problem. What would be
the
> most likely cause of this issue & is there a way  to get the OD to release?
> Gary Hodson
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