Hey guys, i know this is a common problem, i think my overdrive is stuffed.. but my problem is that my relay isn't where everyone says it is.. i looked behind the glovebox and i found the headlight and fuel relays.. both were good though... any ideas peoples?

G'day,

I have the M46 gearbox (manual, cos its called a gearbox) and found the OD relay under the central vents. Don't worry I had half the dash and console removed when I tried to find it too.

To get to it, pop the cover from around the clock and then the one below it. Behind the covers you will find two Phillips head screws. One holds the vent face plate in and the other holds the bits and pieces recess. Remove both and, with a bit of wriggling the vent face plate will come out together with the bits and pieces recess. Push the ducting away from the dash and underneath you should find a red relay. That is the sucker form what I have been led to believe.

Good Luck

my 88 auto wagon has a white relay with 5 terminals mid dash drivers' side, just below the air vents and behind some stuff. Relay can be resoldered by electronics minded person-may fix a crack or bad joint. keep it cool!!! bad switches and wiring common now, corroded fuses/holders(11?) too.

Also insufficient oil/poor oil changing can seriously affect the OD selection. Autos have an internal filter that gives trouble if not changed often enough. wrong/gluggy oil is another source of trouble.

dirty/broken under car connections and finally, a burnt out solenoid are the last of the obvious checks.

thanks guys! found the relay, trying to get a replacement, not sure if its the problem... but am going to do all this..

There is a insulated connector that connects the wires between the overdrive switch in the gear-lever and the solenoid. This plastic connector often fails due to oil and accumulated general gunk causing the overdrive control circuit to malfunction.

Either IPDUSA or FCPGroton (maybe both) stock a metal solenoid blank which, when fitted, eliminates this irritating problem (about $40). The only difference is you no longer have the ability to switch overdrive out with the overdrive switch in the gear-lever, although the gearbox will still operate perfectly and still shift in and out of overdrive by the normal kick-down method.

(I notice you are from Newborough - my daughter, husband and children live there and even though I live some 400 klms away now, I actually played for the Newborough Football Club for about 10 seasons many years ago. It's a small world after all.)

oh nice! so did you use this in your car? its from http://www.ipdusa.com/ also people! :D

Carn Newborough bulldogs! :D