Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the great explanations and details, ideas.

I just pulled the solenoid, cut a passage channel, and reinstalled it. Problem solved! I always have overdrive and can easily kick down in a lower gear with the throttle if needed.

On my 90 240 it was the wiring that went bad so I suggest first checking the condition of the wiring before jumping into the solenoid. The wiring frayed on the lip of the transmission tunnel not too far from the shifter. As I recall, another common failure point is where the wiring enters the solenoid. The wiring is also an easier repair than the solenoid. 😉
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Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....

Check fuse 11 for corrosion. Spin it.

Explanation:

When the relay buzzes, that means its engagement causes it to disengage. In this case the current it switches to operate the solenoid reduces the voltage necessary to hold the relay in. The only reason for that is the power source has developed a high resistance in series, and the most likely place for that high resistance to occur is corrosion at the ends of the fuse. Visible or not.







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Art Benstein near Baltimore

"The things we learn from our children we retain longer than they do. Example: lighting a match to let the sulphur cover and de-personalize the odor of poop." -Philip Clarence

Hi,

From your first paragraph I would say it’s electrical up to the point that the solenoid is not opening to let fluid pass.
I have read posts that say the darn solenoid valve is made backwards.
Volvo set it up to lock it out from shifting up an down repetitively, which is fine but if it fails you get locked out of overdrive permanently.
If the valve would leak the overdrive would never disengage.
This is what people do as a modification.

A lot of people put in a bypass plate from IPD that connects the two ports with a slit where the solenoid was.
I have wondered, if the valve was permanently made to leak bye, it would offer the same results.
If the solenoid ever burns out that would be a viable cheap option.
It’s my understanding that the burning out is possible but the wiring down there, in the weather, is more likely a 50/50 issue.

Trouble with the plate or a permanently damage valve you have to allow the kick down cable to drop down a gear if you are pulling a real steep hill. I don’t know if that is into third or a second gear.
I have no experience with the modification so I’m weak with any knowledge of whether I would like the result myself.

I’m sure if mind does fail to put me in overdrive, with gas prices to be climbing forever, I would be like you and want “two” overdrives under that car! Not one that’s inoperable.

Read some more post under a search or hope someone will respond to have better suggestions.

Phil