O/D cut out switch

Megawatt · 12-21-2005, 06:32 PM

Have a 2003 HR on a W20 chassis. My overdrive on/off switch is mounted on the righthand side of the dash next to the mirror heater switch. I have to lean quite a ways forward to activate this switch. Has anyone relocated this switch to a more driver friendly location? I have room for it on the side console where the leveler panel is located. Have pulled the switch to see how it is wired. Not just a simple two wire switch. Four or five wires in a harnessed plug. Do you think lengthening these wires would make a difference?
Thanks in advance.
Megawatt

Megawatt · 12-21-2005, 06:32 PM

Have a 2003 HR on a W20 chassis. My overdrive on/off switch is mounted on the righthand side of the dash next to the mirror heater switch. I have to lean quite a ways forward to activate this switch. Has anyone relocated this switch to a more driver friendly location? I have room for it on the side console where the leveler panel is located. Have pulled the switch to see how it is wired. Not just a simple two wire switch. Four or five wires in a harnessed plug. Do you think lengthening these wires would make a difference?
Thanks in advance.
Megawatt

Blaster · 12-21-2005, 07:16 PM

Just my two cents, don't think it would be a problem just make sure use butt splices and tape good so no shorts and nothing can pull lose. And make sure when cut wires at switch leave enought wire to splice and tape good. Also use same size wire!

**Gary RVRoamer** · 12-22-2005, 06:07 AM

I've thought about doing the same thing on my W22. I would use the OD cutout a lot more if it were easier to reach and like you, I have plenty of room on the side console. I'm surprised it is such a complex switch, but don't think there is any risk in lengthening the wires as long as you do it "right".

Let us know how it works out if you decide to try it.

abarkl · 12-22-2005, 04:32 PM

I wonder where my switch is hidden. I don't have the ability to control OD on my 2001 W22.

Cruzer · 12-22-2005, 04:37 PM

No problem at all. The extra length won't be an issue as long as you use adequate wire gauge (same as what's on there - probably #16). Just do a neat job, solder joints and seal them up good so the "fix" doesn't cause another problem.

rvten · 12-22-2005, 05:45 PM

Abarkl you have a switch on the dash. It is your 5th gear lock out switch. All the W-20/22 have them. Mine is to left of stearing wheel. Too bad they are not mounted on the stearing wheel like the cruise is on some cars.

abarkl · 12-22-2005, 08:31 PM

There's no switch on my dash that I'm unaware of. Perhaps the coach builder forgot to wire it in.

DriVer · 12-23-2005, 03:18 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by abarkl:
Perhaps the coach builder forgot to wire it in. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Could you place that information in your profile or signature file we'd like to offer a better answer knowing that info. It's always about, year, (coach builder) make and model.

abarkl · 12-23-2005, 05:18 AM

Sure, it's a 2001 HR Admiral.

alvinc · 12-23-2005, 08:17 AM

Adding the OD lockout is an option that is added by the coach builder.

Indeed I have a W22 (2002 body, 2001 chassis) where the transmission was programmed to not have a OD lockout (I have a OD lockout switch on the dash to the left of the steering wheel). I ended up taking it to Allision where they confirmed that I had the wrong firmware and they updated it under warranty.

Details: How do they fit 5 speeds into a shift lever that has only 4 selectors? 1,2,3, and D. One way to do it without an OD lockout is to make D the overdrive and 3 becomes a combo 3 and 4. This provides ability to lockout OD but still leaves you vulnerable to 3 and 4 hunting. The solution is to add a switch and program the transmission so that 1,2,3,D is equivalent to 1,2,3,4/5 where 5th can be locked out with the switch.

alvinc · 12-23-2005, 08:30 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by abarkl:
There's no switch on my dash that I'm unaware of. Perhaps the coach builder forgot to wire it in. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>If this is true, a competent Allison service center could add the switch and modify the firmware for you. This would also be a good time to switch to Transynd transmission fluid.

What happens when you shift from D to 3? If you lose only 5 gear or overdrive, then your transmission was programmed to not have a OD lockout switch. If you lose both 4 and 5, then you are missing a OD lockout and the coach builder is culperable.