Savannah and back, and Reverse solenoid !

[D+C4106]

We made the trip to Skidaway (VERY nice campground) and back with only some minor concerns.  Left N. Ohio during the snowy, slushy. salt, salt Salt! (We did leave that at a little car wash in South Carolina). The reverse solenoid on our 4106 acted up last fall after getting it wet.  I thought I had cleaned , checked and adjusted it.  I found on the way home I was overconfident,  it went into reverse once but when I tried it again moments later it just would not go.  (Thanks to this board we had found the manual way to do this helpful).  Upon our arrival home I was surprised to have it shift correctly again.  I am now wondering if the relay could be the problem and not the solenoid itself.  Anyone have idea's or tests to determine the real problem?  We only saw a few bus conversions on the road, Kinda felt lonely out there!  Thanks everyone,   Denis

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Dennis,

Sounds like your trip was mostly enjoyable..

I would start by inspecting all the wire connections to the coil. An intermitting problem like you discribe points me to corrosion

or faulty connections. Then, the coil itself could have a crack or loose connections.

Good Luck
Nick-

[Don4107]

When it's not working have someone hold the reverse switch in the activated mode and use a test light to see if you have voltage at the solenoid.  If not check the relay in and out.  Identify the relay ahead of time so you know where to look.  Don't discount the switch itself.  Of course it will never act up when you want it to.  When it is working do the same and wiggle wires and connections.  A heat gun on the solenoid might help too. 

If you don't find it, wire up some bulbs temporarily.  One at the solenoid and one each at the input and out put of the relay.  Then when it does do it's thing, a glance at the bulbs will tell you whats happening.

Good luck!

[Homegrowndiesel]

My reverse solenoid has been acting up lately also.

I think enough now to diagnose. Probably bad ground, or relay, hopefully not solenoid.

Good advise guys.

Bill

[Tony LEE]

Not sure of the mechanics of your solenoid, but the one in my MC8 has two coils. Both are energised to pull in and then the armature pushes a contact open to reduce the current in hold in mode. The contact on mine had lost the silver button contact and would contact enough to pull in occasionally and then not work the next few times.

It is surprising  how little you need reverse if you plan ahead. I did hook a length of wire  on to the gearbox shaft so in an emergency Betty could open the side engine door and help the solenoid out a bit. Embarrassing, but at least it got us out of trouble until I could look at it.