Jim Yergin Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) Thought I would share my overdrive indicator lights set-up. I have a R10 Borg Warner overdrive installed in my ’41 Plymouth. Instead of the carb mounted kick-down switch, I decided to use a period aftermarket accessory Shift Rite gear shift knob I found on eBay. It was designed to use with the Chrysler semi-automatic transmissions. Because it is a normally open switch, I am using a 6 volt VW headlight locking relay to operate my overdrive. I have a tachometer that will tell me when the overdrive is engaged, but I like to know for certain the status of the overdrive. I have two indicator lights mounted under my dash. The green one is wired to the #4 terminal on the overdrive solenoid and it lights up when the relay is activated and power is sent to the solenoid. The red one is operated by the original overdrive relay. The relay is activated by the #6 terminal on the solenoid that is grounded when the overdrive is engaged and the red light goes on letting me know I am now in overdrive. Because I am not using the original relay to operate the overdrive, the governor on the overdrive is not used, so activation and de-activation of the overdrive is done solely with the gear shift knob button. That means I need to manually turn off the overdrive when slowing down and coming to a stop. But the illuminated indicator lights are a reminder to do so. Jim Yergin Edited September 23, 2014 by Jim Yergin 2 Quote
Jim Yergin Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Posted September 23, 2014 Here is a picture of the Shift-Rite gear shift knob. Jim Yergin 1 Quote
Uncle-Pekka Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) Thanks for sharing Jim, The indicator light is what I also planned to do for my R10 set up next. As you may have read on my thread "Does a 1953 Savoy OD fit to D24...", I managed to install & hook up the R10 past spring. My set up is acc.to the original factory spec, only difference that I mounted the kick down switch on the dash instead of throttle linkage. I have the original governor, NOS OD relay, aftermarket kickdown switch, connected as per factory wiring diagram. It's now working great, I love the smoothness the governor operates the OD based on cardan rpm. I almost never need to hit the kickdown, only rarely in case I need to shift down for passing or prepare for a steep up hill before the speed will stall. However, I'd like to have an indicator to show when OD is on. Not that I would not feel and know it when I'm driving, but merely for fun and show off for the passengers Do I need two lights the same way as you or can I just wire one bulb through the terminal #6? Cheers,Pekka Edited September 23, 2014 by Uncle-Pekka Quote
Jim Yergin Posted September 23, 2014 Author Report Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) Pekka, The #6 terminal just goes to ground. So I guess you could use a light with a power lead and a ground lead. Connect the power lead to the #4 terminal and the ground lead to the #6 terminal. Then, when the overdrive engages, the light will be illuminated. Jim Yergin Edited September 23, 2014 by Jim Yergin Quote
Uncle-Pekka Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 Thanks Jim, I'll do it some time during the winter. OFF TOPIC: The past weekend was probably the last weekend of this summer here in Finland. It was warm & sunny just like the beginning of September this year had been. However the forecast told the rains will come in Sunday afternoon, they did. Last night, btw. Monday & Tue., temp. actually drop below zero Celsius and it snowed for the first time for this autumn. Luckily I drove my cars up to my Dad's garage in Friday and stored them there in Saturday night. Here they are now... 1 Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted September 23, 2014 Report Posted September 23, 2014 (edited) Have to ask... -- = Deleted question as for no response. Edited September 28, 2014 by Dodgeb4ya Quote
1941Rick Posted September 24, 2014 Report Posted September 24, 2014 I have to ask, why cut out the govoner? I have the same set up and the govenor is functional. Using two Bosch relays. First one hooked to the shift knob, normally closed then to the second relay the second to the govenor normally open. Can shift in and out of OD at will. Quote
Jim Yergin Posted September 24, 2014 Author Report Posted September 24, 2014 (edited) You're right, if I used a second relay I could use the governor. Have to look into that. Thanks. Jim Yergin Edited September 24, 2014 by Jim Yergin Quote
plyroadking Posted September 24, 2014 Report Posted September 24, 2014 You could also just run a wire from ground to a toggle switch and then down to the governor terminal on the lock out switch. If you go to the governor terminal on the lock out switch you control when it goes in or out of od, or leave the toggle switch open and let the od run normally Quote
DJ194950 Posted September 24, 2014 Report Posted September 24, 2014 I bypassed the governor just to be able to use 1st. overdrive, just for fun. No really worth the trouble because of the low first. gear. Seldom use it anymore-just to show off! Using a latching type relay as Jim did allows a bump and let off the relay changes from open to closed or vise versa and stays there until grounding button on shifter is pushed again. A blip off throttle allows engagement or disengagement. I leave the cable for the OD engaged in the OD on position all the time. My light (green) for OD on reminds me why I can't get into reverse if the OD is left on when stopping and then try to get into reverse. A Push of the shifter button with ign. on, Clutch in, OD disengages an then I can reverse. DJ Quote
1941Rick Posted September 24, 2014 Report Posted September 24, 2014 there should be a rod in the trans that shifts out of OD when you select reverse. Yes first OD is just for show....now have a 6 speed...( with strange ratios ) How ever you have it hooked up, if it works, all is good. Quote
pflaming Posted September 24, 2014 Report Posted September 24, 2014 Been reading this and other threads re: OD'. I can comprehend the benefit of some indicator lights if the governor is bi-passed. But if the governor is in and functioning then, ( if the OD is not locked out via the hand cable) , the transmission will automatically always be in OD unless pulling under a specified rpm/mph then it is in UD. Once the solenoid has activated the OD it stays in OD. To disengage the OD the driver presses the switch with the fuel pedal which automatically raises the RPM's on the engine to quickly get up to speed to be in sync with the new lower gear ratio. Used thusly, the top two gears work as an automatic based upon the driver's used of the foot pedal. One can do the same in 2nd gear and it works very nicely in slow up/speed down/speed traffic. That is why I like the OD and will put one in my truck! Now there may be some details in the above diatribe and others are at liberty to edit them, but essentiall what has been written is true. Will be watching any thread on OD's especially those applied to Pilot house 1/2 T's. Quote
Jim Yergin Posted September 28, 2014 Author Report Posted September 28, 2014 Thank you 1941Rick. You made me realize that instead of using the VW locking relay to operate the solenoid, I could use it to operate the original O/D relay and thereby also use the governor. I have now done that and I enjoy the "automatic" operation of the governor. Jim Yergin 1 Quote
1941Rick Posted September 29, 2014 Report Posted September 29, 2014 Thank you 1941Rick. You made me realize that instead of using the VW locking relay to operate the solenoid, I could use it to operate the original O/D relay and thereby also use the governor. I have now done that and I enjoy the "automatic" operation of the governor. Jim Yergin Quote
Labrauer Posted September 29, 2014 Report Posted September 29, 2014 I like this thread on the overdrive R10 transmission as I have one that I am going to install in my 48 coupe soon. I just can't seem to grasp the way it is suppose to be hooked up. I have read a lot of different peoples ideas on this topic but some how can't seem to get it. I hope when I get to that time of installing I will be able to do with little effort. I like the fact of the button in the gear shift nob to be able to shift in and out better than the cable pull hookup. I also like the way it was hooked up in the above thread. I am wondering and have heard that you have no reverse gear when engaged and if this is true it would be better to have the button on the gear shift wouldn't it. I like the idea of the lights too being that my mind is not all here and being me I would probably not take out of overdrive and wouldn't know why I couldn't get reverse gear. If you are anyone has a diagram of how to use the lights or the gear shift button would you please IM me with the drawings or instructions. Thanks in advance as always, Larry 1 Quote
1941Rick Posted September 29, 2014 Report Posted September 29, 2014 Larry.....the button does not take care of the push pull cable... If you do a search you should find a schematic that shows the factory installation. Easy to follow. With the vehicle in OD and you go into reverse there is a shaft in the trans that moves the gear set out of OD. Where you have to be carefull is when you park and the car is in OD. You MUST set the park brake. At that point the trany will free wheel. Quote
1941Rick Posted September 29, 2014 Report Posted September 29, 2014 Larry, and any one else http://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/BW_OD.pdf this is the manual... 1 Quote
Jim Yergin Posted October 3, 2014 Author Report Posted October 3, 2014 Because I am now using the governor, I decided to add a third indicator light to let me know when the governor has gone to ground (done not because it is necessary but just because I can). The green light is lit when I turn on the latching VW relay and send power to the overdrive relay. The yellow light comes on when the governor goes to ground. The red light comes on when the solenoid engages the overdrive. Jim Yergin Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 3, 2014 Report Posted October 3, 2014 If I felt I needed several indicator warning lights to let me know what stage of OD operation I was in I would hang this from the rear view mirror... Quote
Jim Yergin Posted October 3, 2014 Author Report Posted October 3, 2014 I remember my dad having one of those. Weren't they designed to hang in the rear window and be wired to the brake and accelerator pedals to indicate if you were accelerating, coasting, or braking? Jim Yergin Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 Yes they were exactly as you describe. It is a cool old accessory. I have a NOS one waiting to be put on one of my cars. Bob Quote
Don Coatney Posted October 4, 2014 Report Posted October 4, 2014 If I felt I needed several indicator warning lights to let me know what stage of OD operation I was in I would hang this from the rear view mirror... If such a light were installed on the cars of many drivers I see these days the stop and go lights would be on at the same time all the time and the yellow light would never come on as they do not know what it means Quote
1941Rick Posted October 5, 2014 Report Posted October 5, 2014 Yellow....speed up you can still make it...I am more improtant than anyone else.....Plus I will be at the next red right in front of you... See it every day...... 1 Quote
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