740 GL 1989 just reached 300,000 miles. Originally had a 5 speed manual transmission and had to replace it at low mileage years ago when it was making a high pitched whine. Might have gotten ripped off then, but 2 nd transmission lasted until about 5 yrs ago, when it wasn’t going into 1st and then 2nd gears. Due to its age, there were no 5 speed 89 transmissions anywhere to be found, so dealer installed a 88 four speed with electric overdrive. Working well until recently when the shifter feels like it isn’t really connecting to the transmission. Once I can physically feel a connection ( sort of feels like something may be loose or sloppy with the link?) it goes into the chosen gear. Not always the same gear that is problematic.
Just before this was noticeable, there was a week of very cold temps and there may have been a temporary leak perhaps of transmission fluid. I am not sure, because because i noticed it below the car on the snow, but a mechanic didn’t see any leaks when I asked about it. But there was quite a big blob of something but perhaps it was from a previously parked vehicle in that spot. It was a cold dark day so I really couldn’t tell.
Last week, I decided to try to drive it as it was a fairly warm day in the 20’s F. Turned back towards home after a few miles when I couldn’t find 4th gear spot. I have an appt with a mechanic tomorrow but there really isn’t a Volvo person working in Interior Alaska. I have explained to him that this is an 89 with an 88 transmission.
What are the possibilities for the symptoms? No unusual noises and works okay if I can find the selected gear.

The M47 manual gear box is NOT junk.

With care and proper gearbox lube, so long as the M47 is behind a normally aspirated engine with factory power output, M47 lasts.

With neglect, abuse, and lack of fluid checks (and top up) and regular fluid changes, your M47 will go crunch. Search or the article here using the brickboard search feature. Many articles and stories about M47. Turbobricks, like brickboard, includes articles about M47 rebuild. The parts are not so available.

Search for the article by vvpete here and on Turbobricks. vvpete is a member of both forums.

https://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=1537847

You can buy a new M47 II from Volvo for about 1200$+.

Ford "Type F" was a sort of misnomer for M47 gearbox. Yet the technical publications do indicate Ford "Type F." "Type F" fluid presents hydro static friction and it is about a 10W in motor oil viscosity. A slightly thinner then the GL-4 75W weight. The fluid type for M47 is a GL-4 oil. (Never GL-5).

You can use the Volvo lube they offer for M47.

There is the Redline (go to website) offering for M47.
https://www.redlineoil.com/mtl-75w80-gl-4-gear-oil

And Amsoil SuperShift
https://www.amsoil.com/p/super-shift-racing-transmission-fluid-sae-10w-art/

vvpete recommends the synthetic Volvo lube mentioned by Grey245.

NEVER Dexron, Mercon, or the like. M47 says no.

Also, as old as any Volvo with M47, seals fail. The M47 seal are paper thin and can leak.

THe seals inside M47, particularly the selector shaft rod, can fail rather drastically.

With failed shift assembly bushings as these are made of a compliant nylon from the factory. You can still get these bushing. In the performance after market, bronze bushings make for a concise shift. You'll get a little more vibration at the gear shift lever. And the gear shift lever is not a rest for your hand. Use only when changing gear.

https://www.stsmachininginc.com/products/m46-m47-bronze-shifter-bushings-240-740-volvo

The same STS bronze bushing set, yet 10$ more.

BNE https://www.bneshop.com/ doesnot make these bushings.

Finally, use the overfill method to fill the gearbox abovethe level of the fill plug. Read here.

Copy and paste URL:

https://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/TransmissionManual.htm






--
Beh.

go to this Website

https://ozvolvo.org/archive/

in the search box Type- Trans

download
TP30056-2-MANUAL_TRANSMISSIONS_M45_M46_PDF


THEN Type- M47 into the search box to get 2 more Green Books for the 700 series
TP30941-1 and TP30941-1 Supplement


Then for grins---peruse the Aussie ---Brickboard.

https://ozvolvo.org

Before I would condemn anything internal I'd have a look at where the shifter connects to the shift rod from the transmission under the car. - Dave

Good news. The shifter connection was loose….a collar, I think? At any rate, transmission is good.
Thank you for all the encouraging suggestions.
Roll on.

Your original 5 speed trans was a M47 and was not too good of a unit unless you changed the type F automatic trans. fluid twice a year or more often with lots of driving.Their junk.
I'm not sure what 4 speed with o/d they installed but what you describe is the stick shift arm coming out of the trans from a very large nut that secures that stick into the trans. that vibrated loose. It's a fine thread large nut. But first you need to place the stick in through both shifter forks inside the trans then carefully tighten the fine thread nut.

Hopefully, the trans they installed is a M45 or M46 trans both are quite robust and can take a good beatin'.

Duck

Sorry but running type F fluid in a manual transmission? You mean the power steering reservoir?

Hydraulic fluid in a gearbox?

I ran my m47 for 3 years. Upon draining it, it only had a quart in it. 13 years later it still shifts better than my R150f.
--
'88 245,M47,Virgos,250K+

Yes, ATF type F is recommended by Volvo, however it's not the only option you have. I read on this forum that synthetic 10W30 motor oil is possible, but judging by the photo below so is a 75W GL-4.

The Volvo manual says type F for M47 manual trans. I go by what Volvo recommends but I can tell you it didn't work for me. My M47 broke down on the highway at 55mph without any warning at 217K. I changed the type F 3-4 times a year but obviously did not help this matter. Synthetics were not that prevalent in that period of time, which might have been a better alternative.

The correct fluid for the M47 5speed..........has been discussed here on the Brickboard....all you had to do was type M47 Trans Fluid in the Search Box.

https://brickboard.com/FIND/index.htm?forum_menu=&cx=003544480620222770647%3Aki7j2gik3xi&cof=FORID%3A11&q=M47+Trans+Fluid&x=32&y=16


Of interest is this post----poster is/was a Volvo Tech who rebuilt several M47's while working for a Volvo Dealer.

vvpete

https://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/1537674/220/240/260/280/m47_went_crunch_5spd.html

Thanks for the links vvpete!!

Seemed a little suspect having ATF in there.
--
'88 245,M47,Virgos,250K+

Your original 5 speed trans was a M47 and was not too good of a unit unless you changed the type F automatic trans. fluid twice a year or more often with lots of driving.Their junk.
I'm not sure what 4 speed with o/d they installed but what you describe is the stick shift arm coming out of the trans from a very large nut that secures that stick into the trans. that vibrated loose. It's a fine thread large nut. But first you need to place the stick in through both shifter forks inside the trans then carefully tighten the fine thread nut.

Hopefully, the trans they installed is a M45 or M46 trans both are quite robust and can take a good beatin'.

Duck