Hi Y'all...Quick overdrive question
My problem: The overdrive ('81) is taking longer and longer to kick in. It used to turn on on demand, but now we have to warm up for about 10 min. before any action.
My questions: a)Is this a switch or a solenoid issue? b)Any suggestions? And c) how easy to fix on a scale of 1-10!

Longer how? Longer after you attempt to engage it or sluggish to finally get into OD mode once it begins the transition?

If sluggish after the light comes on, check tranny fluid level first. IF flull then it may be time for actuationg piston seal replacement.

If it takes long to react to the shifter switch or button, I think button in 81, and the dash light stays off when you push the button, check the 4th gear switch after "rolling" fuse 11 in its sockets to clean some of the cride of the ends for better electrical contact.

If switch, check the connections on the OD solenoid as well as the wires into the shifter for damage.

E-mail me for a step by step instructions to eliminate an electrical problem as the cause of your symptoms.

Duane

On my 81 the OD would only engage some of the time. The wires in the gearshift were broken but would touch once in a while. Other parts of the system include the button on the shifter, the relay to the left of the glovebox, the fourth gear switch on the transmission which makes sure the OD only engages in fourth, the solenoid on the driver's side of the transmission, the wires connecting everything, and the actual OD unit on the back of the transmission.

You can check the OD button and the wires in the shifter at the relay if you know exactly which pins to check. Or you can check the same thing under the front passenger carpet. There is a connector under there where the wires from the shifter button plug into the system. You should have on-again off-again continuity from one wire to the other at the plug each time you press the shifter button. If you don't get a consistent change each time you press the button, the problem is the button or the wires from the button to the plug where you are testing. This is how I understand it.

Someone more knowledgeable will help you with further checks of the sytem. The check I described is pretty easy if you have a multi-meter or some other way to test for continuity. Good luck.
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Thanks to everyone for the help, Doug C. 81 242 Brick Off Blocks, stock, M46; 86 244, 140k , auto.

Could be low on tranny fluid, but I can't remember if that makes it easier to kick into OD when cold or warm. Check it anyway, very likely but not definitely your problem. A lazy 4th gear switch on the tranny is another possible problem. In that case, manipulating the gear lever in 4th (nudge it here or there in 4th) will have an effect. After that it could get more complicated. Fluid rates a 1 on the universal brick fis-it scale. The 4th gear switch rates a 2 and OD repair is a 7. Others who have had more OD experience (esteemed OD guru, wherever you are) might be better advisors. My ODs do not act up much.