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JasonNC

How much should freewheeling is involved in a car equipped with overdrive. I switched to a 12 volt solenoid and now it seems that my 48 Commodore Six freewheels more in overdrive than it did with the old solenoid. I'm at a loss as to why it would make a difference.

Uncle Josh

Hmmm, the engine should idle (freewheel) at speeds under 18-20 when the governor says it's going fast enough to 'Clunk' into overdrive, with the attendant lowering of rpm.

At what speed do you notice engagement...or isn't it engaging at all.

Fred

My 48 has been running on 12 volt for 20 years (with 6 volt solenoid.) Sounds as if the relay contacts may not be contacting.

Jon B

Just curious: did you switch the car to 12 volt as well, or just the solenoid? (I'm not sure how this would affect freewheeling but thought it couldn't hurt to know...)

JasonNC

The car was switched to 12 volts several years ago. I was using a 6 volt solenoid for a 48-49 model that Park had suggested that I use by installing a resistor/jumper wire between the #3 & #4 terminals. It was working great, but since I had spent nearly $300.00 for the 12 volt solenoid and thinking it was just a matter of time before the six volt went out, I exchanged them. The car may be running as it should, I'm just not sure. It just seems to freewheel when I'm going downhill and it is using more rpm to maintain speed than it did with the older solenoid. If it keeps it up, anyone interested in new 12 volt solenoid?

Tallent R

It could be it is not engaging into overdrive. That solenoid is a sort of twist lock instal/remove thing. loosen the mounting bolt and pull out on solenoid , if it comes right out its not properly engaged. You have to turn it about 30 degrees (to the left if I recall corectly) and push it in then turn and line up the mounting bolt and pull to see if its hooked in. If it resists you it s ok bolt it down.
Roger

DocHornet

Yes, definitely, if the engine is freewheeling, then the overdrive is NOT engaged.

Geoff C., N.Z.

Try pulling the control knob out when you are driving. If it comes out, then the overdrive is not engaged. Once the solenoid is energised you cannot disengage the overdrive until you are below cut-in speed, or you use the kick-down.

Ken U-Tx

I think the problem is electrical, as there was no problem when using the 6 volt solenoid. The new 12 volt solenoid is just not engaging....Jason, did you take that resistor type jumper wire out and replace it with the correct gauge wire for the 12 volt solenoid?? If the resistor jumper wire is still there, the resistance drops the voltage too low for the new 12 volt solenoid to engage, as the magnetic field of the windings will be too weak to push the pawl into the sun gear plate/ balk ring.

Ken U-Tx

Hmmm, another thought, if the solenoid isn't grounding well, due to paint or gasketing material, that might prevent the coil from energizing and pushing the pawl pin out?

JasonNC

I bypassed the resistor wire and wired the 12 volt straight from the relay to the solenoid. I even tried straight wiring the solenoid by simply running a hot wire straight to the solenoid through a toggle switch. I am going to attach a jumper wire to the solenoid frame to the negative battery post and attach another jumper wire to the positive post, put it to the #4 terminal and see if the pawl pin goes out. If not, then the solenoid is going back to the vendor.

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