Hello all Z members,
I have a question regarding the 1984 300zx non turbo - When you start out in the morning or after long cool off I drive about 3-4 miles and finally changes to high gear (what ever that is) - Wait - let me explain - I can't place the overdrive switch on or it will not change. Once going through this process in the morning you can switch overdrive button "on" and it will go to real high "RPM'S" and switching "off" goes back into high gear -(not sure if going into drive or overdrive) - Here is the next problem - after I go 60,70,80 miles (no rim or reason) the high gear quit's pulling - The kicker is once you cut it off and start back it pulls back off - I know the Z works off of vaccum but can't put my finger on what I need to do next - Checked vaccum lines, pulled electrical wiring off off and on during idle without changes, read manuel of overdrive band and so on - Not car stupid but looking to see if anyone else same problem and where to go next - Medic300zx

hmmm IDK man, maybe your actual overdrive gear is just going??? I'm not sure about that one...

yeah dude... automatics suck lol... never owned one, never will... so i'm afraid i can't help ya on this one

yea, I'd say it's about time for a nice 5spd. swap :p ... don't you delerious??? I know LLZ'd back me up on this one... but not Jason, he's suuuuuuuuuuuch a poser

Ok, the overdrive gear will not work unless the engine warms up. This is to protect both engine and transmission. You don't need to worry about this.

Secondly, keep in mind the overdrive isn't meant to 'pull', its meant for the engine to drop down to low rpms and maintain your speed, saving you fuel. If you floor it when in overdrive, it *should* kick back out of the overdrive gear and jump back to 4th to enable you to overtake (or beat the lowered civic next to you who think's he's king shit for having a 8" canon muffler)

I couldn't quite work out from your question whether you say its not coming out of overdrive when you floor it or whether overdrive simply isn't pulling. If its not dropping out when you floor it, check your kickdown switch (up behind your accel. pedal).

-Mike

thanks mikey... what's up man, haven't seen you for ages, how's the project coming?