just bought an 84 244gl with an auto tranny on it. Love the car, but when the car shifts from 1st to 2nd there is a small bump/lurch and noise. What could this be and how can i further diagnose it?
thanks!

Shifts hard 1 to 2? Try a flush, but there's a check ball in the valve body blamed for that - well documented in the faq. Anyone reading this about flush be mindful Dexron is for 84 and later. 83 and earlier uses type F.

Got the same problem with a '93 auto tranny. Seems to be fairly common. I was going to have Jiffy Lube flush the tranny the other day (don't trust them, but I'm lazy) and the retards told me they couldn't do it. "Sorry, we can't touch the transmission on a car with over 75,000 miles on it, it could destroy it."

SO looks like I'll be doing it the Brickboard way to see if fresh fluid cleans it out a bit and makes it smoother.

Bruce's suggestion is also a good one, I'll have to check that on my own.

Our '86 had a thunk when shifting. Like for about five years.
Resolved when we had the rear tranny bushing and seal replaced due to leaking and significant wear there.

My wife (also a dedicated Volvo person) kept telling me that tranny was on its way out, based on hearing/feeling the thunk. Fortunately, it was just the bushing + seal.

However, knowing what I know now, I'd do a complete tranny flush per the FAQ procedure for AW-70 tranny. Many of us are driving around on ancient fluid. Be good to your auto tranny, it can outlast the body.

Basically, the procedure is, DON'T drop the pan or mess with the filter. Cycle 14-16-18 qt. of new Dexron III fluid thruough the system via the tranny fluid cooling lines at the radiator. Just the top line of those two, really. See FAQ for details.
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DAMHIK: Don't Ask Me How I Know - - - Sven: '89 245, IPD sways, electric rad. fan conversion, e-codes, 28+ mpg - auto tranny. 500 mi/week commute. '89 245 #2 (wifemobile). '90 244 (spare, runs).

You should read about the kickdown cable adjustment in the 770/900 FAQ.
And check that the cable isn't hanging up due to internal friction.
Adusting the kickdown point also changes the "hardness" of the shift.

Anyway, check that adjustment. Once I had it correct per the description, the kickdown wouldn't occur till throttle was nearly wide open.

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DAMHIK: Don't Ask Me How I Know - - - Sven: '89 245, IPD sways, electric rad. fan conversion, e-codes, 28+ mpg - auto tranny. 500 mi/week commute. '89 245 #2 (wifemobile). '90 244 (spare, runs).