'41 120 overdrive solenoid activation

Posted by Trog On 2010/10/17 18:57:24

My '41 120 Overdrive solenoid activation is via a toggle switch under the dash. Drove the car about 8 miles last week for the first time in well over a year. The OD engaged only twice near the end of the first 4 miles. Worked on it today and while I can get 6+ volts at the terminal to the solenoid while that terminal is disconnected, when I hook the wire up to the solenoid, the voltage is less than 5.85 Volts and I can hear the solenoid "whining" trying to activate. Battery three years old and while it meaured 6.90 Volts (trickle charger on it all the time), the water was low in the battery. I'm wondering if the initial 20-amp draw is bringing the voltage down in a weak battery and keeping me from getting 6 volts into the solenoid? Other than that, I have no ideas. Checked the ground and it's ok.