When driving the '88 Vette lately, the OD won't disengage when I press the toggle switch on the shifter. Its been fidgety in the past, but lately at times, it won't go out of OD when pressing the button 100 times and as hard as I can. I have to come to a complete stop, put it in first to get the OD light off and disengage. When shifting into second, the light comes back on and it drops into OD and I can't disengage OD no matter how many times I press the button. Some days, I have no issues at all?

Anyone ever have that problem? Any area's to first address?

Thanks!

 

The OD switch is a bit fragile and most likely yours is broken. You can remove the switch and look at it and/or test it with an ohmeter and also see if the rod is indeed actuating the switch. You can also use a wire with clip leads on each end to manually short the switch wires together to see if the OD will then disengage. If it does, you have a defective switch which you would have found with an ohmeter anyway. If it is bad, buy a new switch from Mouser Electronics, its their part number 506 MPA 106F, $12.80 the last time I bought one. Everyone else will rape you good for a GM replacement. The switch is made by Alco (switch mfr). If manually shorting the switch wires together won't activate the OD, this is one clue that the OD is legs up. If so, PM me I'll give you the number and name of a good overhauler.

 

I had the same problem turns out one of the wires had broken off the switch. I resoldered it and it just poped right off a day later, is there anything stronger then solder I can use to connect it to this switch? I know very little about electronics, it may be something simple

 

I would think it's also possible that the contacts in the OD relay could be stuck. I had to replace mine once because the OD wouldn't engage. It's on the firewall with a couple of other relays.

 

Thanks as always guys. I really apreciate it!

One question though, how do you remove the toggle switch on the top of the shifter? Do I have to remove the entire **** off the shifter?

Im so close to selling her that I can invision my car port without the Vette. I don't want to let her go, but fu*k is she leeching $ out of me. I wish I could just drive her without finding something else wrong, such as a blown clutch, fuel pump, fuel filter, rotors, pads, headlight motor, master/slave cylender, and burnt out digi dash. Now its the darned OD unit. 2.5 years of fix-its... What next? Blown tranny? Blown rod?

 

^only if luck is on your side

I thought about your nickel and dime statement.

These cars at ~20 years old and 100k miles...it's a 80s designed American made Auto.....the service "Window" for every component....LOL...is HERE!!!

 

CAREFULLY level the button off (no longer available )
it just pivots on to tabs at the back.
Underneath is a "T" shaped rod; unwind this counting the turns.
In the base of the **** is a steel wedge that has to be removed before you can undo the ****.This allows you to remove the boot and access the switch mounted at the base of the shifter.

 

your wires were not clean before you soldered. Clean the contact points really well with some denatured alcohol and then use a good flux; get the contact points good and hot and let the solder flow into the flux; if done right, it wont come off unless you reheat it.

 

yikes! This is a 21 year old GM; you will ALWAYS be fixing something to keep her going. IF you want a turnkey car that you dont have to worry about buy something German or Japanese; but then you wont be in a cool-a$$ Vette!!

 

Awesome! I'm going to try and take a look myself. As usual, you guys are helping me out big time!

I know she's 21 years old. I don't have a garage or a good set of tools. I've spent as much $ on her as I paid for her almost 3 years ago-and thats just on repairs. Only 80,000 miles on the car in 21 years. Everything I've replaced has been original, so that goes to show you that GM makes very durable cars. Thank God I have another car or else I really would be USC.