TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT OVERRIDE VALVE

of the Invention A transmission control system includes a plurality of hydraulic pressure operated control elements for engaging a gear of the transmission in response to actuation of a shift control lever having neutral and non-neutral positions, a plurality of control valves for controlling pressurization of the control elements and a pump for supplying pressurized fluid to the control valves. An engagement override system includes a switch which is coupled to the shift lever and which energizes a solenoid when the shift lever is in its neutral position and de-energizes the solenoid when the shift lever is in its non-neutral position. In a preferred embodiment, an engagement override valve includes a pilot operated valve which controls communication between the pump, a reservoir and the pressure operated control elements. The solenoid controls the pilot operated valve. The valve also includes a pilot chamber which is pressurized to move the valve to and hold the valve in a position wherein the pump is communicated with the pressure operated control elements.