QuestionThe R-11 o/d of my 1949 Super Eight will not kick down (disengage from o/d) when the accelerator is fully depressed. I have the Borg-Warner o/d manual and my mechanic has gone through all the electical checks listed for "does not kickdown from o/d". All check out OK. He believes the problem to be the solenoid. Altho the solenoid functions electrically, the shaft can easily be rotated by hand. There is a statement in manual which reads "if the stem can be rotated when grasped by a pair of pliers, it indicates that the internal keying has been sheared". I don't mind paying $250.00 for another solenoid, but would like to be sure (if possible)that this is the problem. Thanks again for your help.
Sincerely,
Charlie Cain
AnswerI'm sorry to say that I have not had this exact problem occur in any of the R-11s that I have worked on. I need to do some research in some books that are at my shop (not at home) so I will spend some time on it tomorrow and try to get you a definitive answer.
As your mechanic should know, and probably does, the kick-down function requires that a momentary contact be made to short out the coil (+) terminal for an instant to unload the driveline so the solenoid can retract - this is done by the control relay on an R9 overdrive, but it may be done in the solenoid in an R11 - that's what I have to check.
Why being able to rotate the stem could cause a problem with the kickdown is a mystery to me - I should be embarassed to say - but I'll check it out tomorrow and see if I can learn what that is all about. I can understand that problem affecting the engagement of the overdrive, but as for affecting the momentary cutout of the ignition, that's a new one on me.
I take it that flooring the accelerator does NOTHING, right? Just to verify, it does NOT cut the engine out while you have the pedal on the floor, right?
I'll get back to you with more tomorrow.
Dick
