The Ford Barn

1949mercury · 10-15-2018, 04:10 AM

1949 Mercury 3spd OD ? Just got my Transmission fixed everything was working good only drove it 3 times now 2nd gear OD won’t work. I don’t hear the relay click. Shift into 3rd I lift my foot off gas pedal and it shifts into OD. Go below 28 mph goes into freewheel mode shift down to 2nd no OD but freewheels. Any ideas why 2nd OD won’t work ?

Greg58 · 10-15-2018, 05:15 AM

That's strange, it shouldn't matter what gear the transmission is in when you reach the speed to activate the overdrive. I've only been running o.d. in my car for about 8 months but I haven't had anything like that, maybe someone else has an idea.

Mike51Merc · 10-15-2018, 08:06 AM

Are you letting off the gas in second?
There's nothing in the system to prevent it from upshifting the same in second as it does in third. I've even managed to upshift mine in first (once).

rotorwrench · 10-15-2018, 10:30 AM

The governor flyweights activate the on switch at the set output shaft rpm. The operating solenoid should go hot as soon as the on speed allows it. When you let off the throttle the balk ring should allow engagement of the operating pawl. If it doesn't, there may be either something out of place or not functioning as it should. It might not have enough electrical power at lower rpm to kick it in. A lot of things can cause problems on these units. Everything electrical has to be in good condition from the battery to the operating solenoid. Generator output has to be good too.

40cpe · 10-15-2018, 10:38 AM

It is a long shot, but perhaps the 2nd gear linkage is "somehow" disturbing the OD harness and a loose connection is interrupting the ground from the governor. I agree with others, there is no good reason for the OD not to work in second gear. At any rate, I would investigate the governor wiring because you do not hear the relay clicking. As a test, run a wire from the governor terminal of the relay inside the car and touch it to a ground while in second.

1949mercury · 10-15-2018, 11:52 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yeah I got it going 30+ then let up on the gas pedal waiting for it to engage in OD and nothing so I shift to 3rd then let up on the gas pedal I feel it shift into OD. I was thinking it was my solenoid. I have a 6 volt solenoid but my system is 12v now. Just seems weird it stopped working in 2nd but not 3rd. If it works in 3rd it should work in second. Maybe a bad ground or wire is loose. Everything is new except the solenoid & governor.

[email protected] · 10-20-2018, 06:22 PM

You have to really get ripping in second to get the governor points to close, then take your foot of the accelerator momentarily and it will shift.. If it works in third, it will work in second.

Bill in Conn.

10-15-2018, 04:10 AM	#1
1949mercury Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Washington state Posts: 119	2nd gear OD ? 1949 Mercury 3spd OD ? Just got my Transmission fixed everything was working good only drove it 3 times now 2nd gear OD won’t work. I don’t hear the relay click. Shift into 3rd I lift my foot off gas pedal and it shifts into OD. Go below 28 mph goes into freewheel mode shift down to 2nd no OD but freewheels. Any ideas why 2nd OD won’t work ?

10-15-2018, 05:15 AM	#2
Greg58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Newnan Georgia Posts: 206	Re: 2nd gear OD ? That's strange, it shouldn't matter what gear the transmission is in when you reach the speed to activate the overdrive. I've only been running o.d. in my car for about 8 months but I haven't had anything like that, maybe someone else has an idea. __________________ Greg

10-15-2018, 08:06 AM	#3
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: 2nd gear OD ? Are you letting off the gas in second? There's nothing in the system to prevent it from upshifting the same in second as it does in third. I've even managed to upshift mine in first (once).

10-15-2018, 10:30 AM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: 2nd gear OD ? The governor flyweights activate the on switch at the set output shaft rpm. The operating solenoid should go hot as soon as the on speed allows it. When you let off the throttle the balk ring should allow engagement of the operating pawl. If it doesn't, there may be either something out of place or not functioning as it should. It might not have enough electrical power at lower rpm to kick it in. A lot of things can cause problems on these units. Everything electrical has to be in good condition from the battery to the operating solenoid. Generator output has to be good too.

10-15-2018, 10:38 AM	#5
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: 2nd gear OD ? It is a long shot, but perhaps the 2nd gear linkage is "somehow" disturbing the OD harness and a loose connection is interrupting the ground from the governor. I agree with others, there is no good reason for the OD not to work in second gear. At any rate, I would investigate the governor wiring because you do not hear the relay clicking. As a test, run a wire from the governor terminal of the relay inside the car and touch it to a ground while in second.

10-15-2018, 11:52 AM	#6
1949mercury Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Washington state Posts: 119	Re: 2nd gear OD ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yeah I got it going 30+ then let up on the gas pedal waiting for it to engage in OD and nothing so I shift to 3rd then let up on the gas pedal I feel it shift into OD. I was thinking it was my solenoid. I have a 6 volt solenoid but my system is 12v now. Just seems weird it stopped working in 2nd but not 3rd. If it works in 3rd it should work in second. Maybe a bad ground or wire is loose. Everything is new except the solenoid & governor.

10-20-2018, 06:22 PM	#7
[email protected] Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sharon, Conn. Posts: 114	Re: 2nd gear OD ? You have to really get ripping in second to get the governor points to close, then take your foot of the accelerator momentarily and it will shift.. If it works in third, it will work in second. Bill in Conn.