Are these overdrive problems?

Posted by Mark Graber On 2012/8/18 1:45:58

Greetings from the Last Frontier,
I am having two problems that I think are overdrive (R9) related and would appreciate comment. For the most part,
the OD works as it should - engages and will kick down properly, however,

1. In second gear, after the OD light comes on, and I begin to approach the shift point to third (approx 25-30 mph), I experience a miss - as if the timing is off. Once I shift to third and OD kicks in, she smooths out. This will not happen if the OD is locked out. With OD locked out, 2nd winds out to 35-40 mph and I can maintain that range of speed smoothly with no miss or hesitation.

2. While OD is available (not locked out) and after reaching OD speed in second gear,(OD light comes on) if I let up on the gas to decelerate, occasionally I will lose ignition - engine just dies. She will restart if I depress the clutch and release and give some gas, which I suppose is just like a push start. I have never had this problem when I continue to shift up to third and engage the OD. This only happens while I am in second gear.

The common thread seems to be that both of these problems happen during the OD "ready to engage" mode. My studying tells me to first check for wiring shorts and connections to the solenoid, etc. Am I on the right track? Is it possible that the solenoid itself is malfunctioning? Any other likely suspects? To my knowledge the OD and transmission have never heen apart, but they have been rewired. Thanks in advance for comments/suggestions.

Mark