None working overdrive

[algtj]

Hi, I am looking for a little advice before I purchase!
I am looking at a 2000, which has a crunch going down the gears and a none working overdrive, my initial thoughts were to check the level of oil in the gearbox as this cured the same symptoms in my 1500 Dolly. Or could there be something more sinister going on, any advice would be helpful.
Should I buy? (it comes with a spare box/overdrive unit of unknown quantity)
 

[Alec]

Hello Al,<br>
it could be low gearbox oil, which would also affect the operation of
the overdrive. There are a few other possible problems with a faulty
clutch being one and the overdrive could be a simple electrical fault
or require a complete rebuild. The fact that there\'s a spare is a bonus.<br>
It all depends on the price really, but I believe the big saloons are very undervalued anyway.<br>
<br>
Good luck.<br>
<br>
Alec<br>

[algtj]

Thanks Alec, I am sorely tempted as ive lusted after the big six for years!
I would need to replace the seats as they are in terrible condition too, all going toward a low price!!!
Are there rear seat belt mounts already fitted as per the Dolomite?
Many thanks Al

[Alec]

Hello Al, <br>
<br>
pretty sure that there are depending on what year you are looking at.<br>
<br>
Alec<br>

[algtj]

Thanks Alec, the car is a 1972 model. I have convinced myself I need the car&nbsp;now....!&nbsp; <IMG>

[Warner Bigend]

Flick the ignition on (don\'t start the engine!) and drop into 3rd or
4th. You\'ll most likely be able to hear the o/d relay click in when you
flick the switch, if not then try it with your head closer to the
passenger side trim (cause that\'s where the fusebox and relays live).<br>
<br>
Once you\'re sure that\'s working (if you\'re not you can start messing
around getting at it and checking it with a meter) leave the ign on,
the stick in 3rd/ 4th and the o/d enabled, and get under the car with a
tapping stick. *Gently* tap the overdrive solenoid repeatedly, after
many hours it may well make that nice loud click as it fires. You\'ll
now have about a dozen uses before you need to do this all over again.<br>
<br>
At least, that\'s my experience with the overdrive - Took ages checking
all the wiring and relay, was a real pain to find the wire to the
solenoid, remove it, test for power, scrabble around to reconnect it...
Should\'ve got the hammer out in the first place really.<br>

[David Withers]

Just a small addition to WB\'s advice ...
Triumph was still using the&nbsp;A-Type overdrive in 1972 but if someone has fitted the later&nbsp;(\'74-on) J-Type, as on my own \'72 car, the \'click\' will be virtually inaudible.
The A-Type uses a big slug of electrical power to move the solenoid, hence the \'click\', but switching the&nbsp;J-Type to \'IN\' simply opens a port and hydraulic pressure does the moving.&nbsp; The J-Type has no relay because the electrical load is so small.

[David Withers]

Looking again at the original question, here\'s something our experts might like to comment on ...
Could the gearbox be stuck in overdrive?&nbsp; My car will change&nbsp;down fast without ever any \'crunch\' but in the early days after converting the car from auto to manual+O/D I would occasionally forget to switch the overdrive \'OUT\' when changing down from 4th to 3rd, in which case I\'d get a small&nbsp;reminder \'crunch\'.

[Warner Bigend]

Now that\'s odd. Can\'t remember the exact registration date of my 2000,
but it\'s a tax exempt 72. And the o/d solenoid is on the left side of
the box as you sit in the car looking forwards. I always figured this
meant it was a J type, going by the pictures I\'ve found - So is my box
not original, or is my o/d in fact A type then?&nbsp;<img> I do have the big chunky relay sitting behind the passenger side trim...<br>
<br>
I know the gearbox crossmember looks to have been off at some point in
the cars history as one of the studs spins (oh, that\'ll be fun when I
get round to doing the clutch) and none of them look like they\'ve been
left untouched since leaving the factory, if that makes sense?<br>

[David Withers]

WB
I <strong>can</strong> remember that the A and J types look quite different but I <strong>can\'t</strong> remember what those differences are!&nbsp; Others will know for sure.
I said that J-Types were fitted from 1974 but it could have been a bit earlier than that.&nbsp; Sounds like you have the A-type though, which is not quite as strong as the J-Type but fine for the 2000.
All this self-doubt is no good for me.&nbsp; It even got me out to the Triumph to check for myself that the solenoid was virtually inaudible, which it is even with the car in the garage with no traffic noise.&nbsp; There\'s no mistaking the \'click\' (or clunk?) with an A-Type O/D as the solenoid pulls in.