| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
pruyter
Netherlands
323 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Oct 2015 : 09:18:03
|
Hi John,
Good for you!
By the way, concerning the column switches for the overdrive: the wiring for both the fastback and the series 4 and 5 Rapiers is the same.
If you ever should need a cowl: the cowls for the Alpines series 3,4 and 5 are the same as the cowls for the Rapiers series 4 and 5. The same regards the column switches and relays for the overdrive.
Enjoy your now functioning overdrive!
Regards,
Peter |
 |
|
|
johnc
United Kingdom
212 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2015 : 18:20:43
|
Thanks Glen/Peter.
I'm minded to obtain a replacement switch so I can regain the true flexibility of an o/d gearbox.
Questions for Glen;is the wiring for a Fastback switch the same as the Series? if it is compatible what is the cost to obtain one from the club?
I'm not familiar with the cowl arrangement on a Fastback but assume that a bit of fettling may be necessary to accommodate it into the Series cowl,assuming I can salvage the existing one.
The switch is fitted on the left of the column which suggests that the previous owner did a bit of 'adaptation'but it doesn't explain the down only aspect.
Thanks again chaps.
Regards
John
I've given this some more thought and decided to have a go at freeing the switch,so it's out with the Dremmel and see how it goes.I'll report back in a few days.
Took the Dremmel to the offending switch and am pleased to report that I have released it from the cowl without damage to either.The 'bodge' by the previous owner had indeed prevented upward operation. |
Edited by - johnc on 02 Oct 2015 19:06:26 |
|
|
|
pruyter
Netherlands
323 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2015 : 17:30:05
|
Hi John,
You are right regarding the fact that it must be possible to disengage the overdrive with help of the column switch. I think the former owner wasn't able to buy the correct column switch which is easy to understand because this switches are only available as used ones and rather scarce and expensive. The Rapier series 4 and the former series had this switch on the right side of the steering column on RHD cars which is odd because the consequense of this is that the turn signal indicator switch is in this situation on the left side where the gear stick is. In modern cars it is the opposite and Rootes became aware of this with the introduction of the Rapier series 5 where they situated the switches where they should have been all the time. The overdrive column switch is handed so if you switch the position of this switch to the other side of the steering column the result is that by moving down the switch (instead of moving up as it should) the overdrive is engaged. I know this because I have switched the position of this switch on my Rapier series 4.
The best advice I can give is: look at Ebay if a overdrive column switch is turning up but expect to pay a stiff price for it.
Regards,
Peter |
|
|
|
bigt80
United Kingdom
1052 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2015 : 17:26:06
|
Hi folks, I'd only add that I presume it is more like a Fastback switch operation on a Ser IV/V. I had a IIIA & that was down to engage and up to disengage, but switch stayed in the place it was put & did not return to the central position like the Fastback one does. The operation of it is the same though: down to engage (returns to centre) & up to disengage (returns to centre). On IIIA there was no auto cancel when going across the gate from 3rd to 2nd, which the Fastback has, but maybe Ser IV/V also had that feature to ensure the overdrive wasn't left in place if you came out of the 3rd/4th plane. I believe situations had arisen on early cars when they were left in overdrive whilst in 1st or 2nd - not an issue per se although 2nd to 3rd overdrive made for slow acceleration, but what did cause problems was if you then engaged reverse  .
Re your specific problem - I'm sure a Fastback switch would do the job & club has plenty of these, however, getting a replacement cowl, may be more of an issue. I'll sign off now  . G |
|
|
|
johnc
United Kingdom
212 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2015 : 17:10:11
|
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the prompt reply,reliable as ever
I think I may have confused the essence of the problem by my explanation.The situation is that once I have engaged o/d I cannot disengage it other than going down to 2nd.
My recollection from my S3A from 40+ years ago was that the column switch enabled you to engage/disengage as you chose,am I correct in that?
The overdrive was installed by a previous owner but was disconnected when I bought the car so I don't know if ever worked properly.
I agree that the problem must lie with the switch and having looked more closely I find that the 'half wit' installed it in the column cowl using 'metal putty' which seems to cause the switch to operate in one direction only.I cannot remove the switch without destroying it and/or the cowl so it looks like I'll have to live with the o/d as it is unless I can find another switch.
Any further comments would be welcome.
Regards
John |
|
|
|
pruyter
Netherlands
323 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2015 : 15:42:21
|
Hi John,
I am a little bit confused by your explination regarding that the overdrive will not disengage when changing down from fourth to third. When using the column switch on third the overdrive should engage and the same when the column switch is used on fourth. When the overdrive is on in third gear and you change to fourth, the overdrive is still engaged. The same situation excists when the overdrive is engaged in fourth and you change to third, the overdrive is still engaged. It should be like that!
What do you mean by "the column switch only operates downwards"?
Normally the overdrive engages by moving the column switch upwards en is disengaging by moving the column switch downwards.
The problem you have is certainly related to the column switch, because it is not reacting (when you want to disengage the overdrive) on moving this switch (downwards I guess?)
I should check the connection between the column switch and the relay and this regards the yellow wire from the column switch to C2 on this relay.
Regards,
Peter |
Edited by - pruyter on 01 Oct 2015 15:54:18 |
|
|
|
johnc
United Kingdom
212 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2015 : 13:55:09
|
Hi all,
AUE171B (SIV)is now on the road at last,after its very very protracted restoration and have a problem with the overdrive.
It engages OK in 3rd but will not disengage by use of the column switch prior to going into 4th,similarly engages when in 4th but will not disengage either by use of the column switch or when changing down to 3rd.The column switch only operates downwards so I assume that its on/off function is correct in that respect.The o/d disengages as it should when going from 3rd to 2nd so the gearbox switch is OK.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem might be?
Regards
John |
Edited by - johnc on 02 Oct 2015 08:52:56 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
Overdrive issues
