Overdrive

I've got an '88 240 Wagon, automatic. For some reason, lately, the OD
stays on all the time. The little orange arrow is illuminated on the
dash, and the button on the shifter does nothing. It doesn't seem to
be too big of a deal, even on the highway. But, I am worried about a
relatively long trip I have planned. It revs a little high at 65!
The only thing I thought to check out was fuses, which are all good.
Any ideas?

 

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,

I don't understand! If the overdrive is always *on*, surely the revs will be
*lower*?
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Roger
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I just mean that the light is always on.......

 

The overdrive lockout is always on.

Your overdrive relay has cracked solder joints in it. If you remove the
glove box, it's clipped behind the dash to the left. You can buy
replacements, but it's easier to pop the cover off and flow a bit of
fresh rosin core solder into the cracked joints if you have a soldering
iron.

 

Ok. I found it. Now, I do not have a soldering iron nor can I
solder. If I just leave the relay off, will the car shift normally,
and then I simply won't be able to drop it down into OD? Once I get
the replacement I will put it back on, but would it be ok just to
leave it off right now?

 

No, with the relay out the light will be off, but the overdrive still
will not engage. You can jumper two of the pins in the relay socket to
bypass the relay but I forget which ones.

Is there a TV repair shop in your neighborhood? Ham radio club? Maybe
even a geeky 16 year old with a soldering iron? Any one of those ought
to be able to fix your relay in less than 5 minutes.

 

Soldering irons are inexpensive. here is a basic introduction to
soldering: http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/solder/
__ __
Randy & \ \/ /alerie's
\__/olvos
'90 245 Estate - '93 965 Estate
"Shelby" & "Kate"

 

Here's an article and picture touching up a circuit board. Same concept.
Re-melting the solder around the pins...

<http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/ElectricalCircuitsRelays.html#RepairingandResolderingRelays>
<http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-DME-Repair/pic2.jpg>