[TR] TR3A overdrive difficult to engage

[Dave1massey at cs.com]

In a message dated 4/24/2011 7:39:20 PM Central Daylight Time, 
KingsCreekTrees at aol.com writes: 
> Each Spring, during the first time out with my car, I find the overdrive  
> 
> does not want to engage for the first couple of attempts. After that, it's 
>  
> perfect. 
> 
> I have driven my car twice this spring and the overdrive was not working 
> at 
> all. Today, I took it out for a third time, on a longer drive. Before I 
> left, I  checked the gearbox oil level and then sat with the ignition on, 
> engaged fourth  gear and switched the overdrive on. I could distinctly 
> hear the 
> solenoid  working. I then went for a drive. No overdrive at all, but I was 
> 
> switching it in  and out as if it was working, in case it decided to wake 
> up 
> at some point.  Eventually, on a long straight road, having engaged 
> overdrive some 5kms  beforehand, the overdrive kicked in suddenly (did not 
> engage 
> sluggishly).  Unfortunately, I was just coming up to a red light, so had 
> to 
> disengage and  slow. After that, the overdrive would not engage for 
> several 
> attempts.  Eventually, the length of time between engaging the switch and 
> the 
> actual  engagement of the overdrive got better, to the point that, by the 
> time I got  home from my 2 hour drive, it seemed to be working normally. I 
> 
> suspect I'll have  to go through the same non-overdrive business the next 
> time 
> I drive it,  though.
> 
> Where should I start?

I would check the adjustment of the lever.  It might be set at a borderline 
position and just a  little bit more is what it needs to operate.

Dave