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Overdrive question

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Old Aug 28, 2022 | 07:30 AM
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Overdrive question

The overdrive on my new to me 2002 Ford E-Series truck/Jayco motorhome is not working as far as I can tell. Using the button no light ever comes on. I cannot tell if it is in overdrive or out of overdrive. What is the problem ?
 
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Old Aug 28, 2022 | 08:23 AM
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Most likely the problem is a broken wire in the steering column. If you remove the plastic cover from the cover and inspect the wires where they enter the shift handle you will probably see the problem wire.

The default is to have overdrive enabled.
 
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Old Aug 28, 2022 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Mark Kovalsky
Most likely the problem is a broken wire in the steering column. If you remove the plastic cover from the cover and inspect the wires where they enter the shift handle you will probably see the problem wire.

The default is to have overdrive enabled.
Thanks, but how do you remove the cover ? Is not the air bag behind that cover ?
 
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Old Aug 28, 2022 | 10:52 AM
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The air bag is in the steering wheel. You need to remove the cover from the steering column. There are three screws in the bottom piece that hold it to the top piece. Don't take anything off of the steering wheel.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2022 | 04:48 AM
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OK, I finally got the steering wheel cover removed. Getting the black plastic bezel off the key start switch was a real trick. Anyway, I found no chaffing of the wire to the overdrive switch. I removed the switch and checked it and it's good. So now what ? I will try to check continuity of the wires but that may not be possible be as they go to the solenoid inside the tranny.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2022 | 07:41 AM
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The wires do not go to the transmission. They go to the PCM. One of the wires is most likely broken inside the insulation.

You can unplug the connector where the shift handle connects to the wiring harness. The break usually happens on the shift handle side of the connector. You can check the continuity of the wires from the connector to the switch.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2022 | 08:13 AM
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OK, upon further investigation I find no power at any of the three contacts at the OD switch, engine running in neutral and drive. I see that fuse 20 is the "Overdrive cancel switch" checking that fuse, it is good, but there is no power to that fuse with engine off, running or running in drive. Why ? Seems to me there should be power there.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2022 | 08:57 AM
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There is a wire broken in the circuit to the OD switch. The conductor breaks inside the insulation, so the wire looks normal. It is most likely in the run from the OD switch to the connector where the shift handle plugs into the harness.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2022 | 09:13 AM
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I just checked the three wires from the switch receptacle to the end plug to the harness and all three wires have continuity. There is still no power to fuse 20. Seems to me that power is needed at fuse 20 for this to work.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2022 | 02:40 PM
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I missed that. Yes, that fuse needs power. I don't have any diagrams to help diagnose what's wrong in your fuse box.
 
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