Overdrive will not engage most times?

Tiny
BEENTHEREDONETHAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 MAZDA B2200
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
99% of the time my overdrive won't engage at highway speeds yet the light showing it's engaged on the dash works when button pressed in on the shifter. Any suggestions or wiring to check? Even a wiring diagram would be great as well. I appreciate any help. Thank you!
Saturday, August 12th, 2023 AT 5:15 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,663 POSTS
I would check the transmission fluid and service the unit if the fluid is dirty/burnt. Here are the wiring diagrams you have requested. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Saturday, August 12th, 2023 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
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  • 6 POSTS
Update: serviced the transmission and just to let you know it didn't help the issue. What I did find is a melted connector against the exhaust that leads to the side of the transmission looks like a disc against the trans casting but assume it's a solenoid. Been working on the fleet so I'll be attacking it soon and will update again. Thank you for the wiring diagram, it will come in handy!
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Thursday, September 21st, 2023 AT 1:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It sounds like you found the problem, please let me know if the wiring fixes it.
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Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
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  • 6 POSTS
Continue driving it all this time but still the same issue. It will occasionally kick in to overdrive but lasts for a minute or less. Is there a replaceable solenoid or relay on it that could potentially cause this? Thanks in advance.
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Saturday, December 21st, 2024 AT 3:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I have seen a stuck open engine thermostat cause this issue; the transmission will not go into overdrive while the engine is cold. Can I ask if the engine temperature gauge goes up to about halfway?
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Saturday, December 21st, 2024 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
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Funny you mention that. I was getting a little heat in the cabin until I changed the thermostat to a new 180F one, the old one was stuck. Now I have heat. Maybe the 180F is still too cold?
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Saturday, December 21st, 2024 AT 1:23 PM
Tiny
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And no, it goes (the gauge) a third of the way up, where the gauge barely budged when the old thermostat was stuck.
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Saturday, December 21st, 2024 AT 1:25 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, I would clear the codes on the computer, there can be codes without the "check engine light on" which should rest the system and get overdrive to work again. Have a great holiday and let me know :)
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Monday, December 23rd, 2024 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
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No OBD2 on 91 B2200.
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Monday, January 13th, 2025 AT 3:12 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sorry my bad, here is the OBD1 code gathering method:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/diagnostic-trouble-codes-for-1995-and-earlier-mazda-cars-obd1

Let me know what happens.
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Monday, January 13th, 2025 AT 1:08 PM

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