Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™

[jim_lewis1]

I have always run my van with OD on (no dash light showing) but read recently that in order to benefit from engine braking on descents it should be turned off.

However, having now tried turning it on and off I don't hear any engine speed change.

Should I?

Is it possible the dash light is working, but nothing is happening in the gearbox?

How would I check this?

Thanks

[Google]

[Lewis]

If OD is on, the engine is warm and you are doing 50'ish mph then the OD will function. On mine I feel the vehicle pick up speed as the needle hits 40, though that also depends on how you have the TPS adjusted.

I have always run mine with the OD on, apart from slow descents in mud on steep offroad hills or ice and snow or wet cobbles. There is no indication that the OD is on other than the button in the end of the stalk being in. If the dash light turns to say OD off, when the button is out, then OD is off.

Some claim the vehicle uses less fuel when run with the OD off, but I have never found that to be true.

Read this post for more info on OD button - A/T switch and 4WD Gear Controls
_________________


Copyright is retained for all my photos. Please don't copy them without asking permission
Do not blindly go where the path may lead you. Go where there is no path and leave a trail that others may follow!
ルイス

[andyman]

IN O/D, my engine revs DROP as I hit approx 50mph, as it goes from 3rd into O/D (4th), accellerating. If I press O/D off at around 50 while slowing down, it will change down to 3rd, and I get engine braking down to around 40, when the torque converter disconnects, and it starts to freewheel. If I want further engine braking, I move the shifter to 2, but that is usually just braking fast downhill to a T junction, or long, steep descents. Hard use of the footbrake downhill in a L300 can cause the back wheels to leave the tarmac! A bit of engine braking avoids this possibility, and frightens the passengers less!
_________________
Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!

[Lewis]

Andy;  You forgot to mention yours is a L300, so most likely a different engine and therefore different characteristics.
_________________


Copyright is retained for all my photos. Please don't copy them without asking permission
Do not blindly go where the path may lead you. Go where there is no path and leave a trail that others may follow!
ルイス

[Deker]

In town/village driving, I normally have O/D OFF.
My L400 can engage O/D at 30 MPH with a very "Light Pedal"

Therefore to prevent the gearbox trying to "Jump" twixt 3rd & 4th gear I have O/D OFF
this helps to prevent Band wear in the gearbox.

Just my opinion.

Mr D

[jim_lewis1]

HI. So the OD is definitely working. I can feel the change down when I turn it off at speed.

I think though that there is some other issue with how the auto box is behaving.

It seems slow to change up when puling away, and lifting off the accellerator it feels like it is engine braking straight away, when I would expect it to 'freewheel' for want of a better word.

I seem to remember discussions about band wear in the Magna I had years ago producing such behaviour.

Is this likely to require an expensive garage visit?

Checking the auto box oil dip stick it seems full and not discoloured.

[andyman]

Band wear would tend to give the characteristics of a manual with a slipping clutch. Generally, the revs at which an auto changes up depends on how hard you press on the pedal.
If it has reached the speed while accelerating where you could expect it to change gear and hold a steady speed in the next gear if you eased off the accelerator slightly, I wouldn't expect it to start engine braking in the lower gear, it is more likely that the torque converter will unlock, and start to slip as the hydraulic pressure drops too.
_________________
Andy C L300 Super Exceed - over 100 smiles per gallon!