Hi guys. My daughter's wonderful and rare '79 242 automatic will not shift into drive gear once the tranny heats up. Kickdown cable does not seem to be the problem as I have adjusted it many times and it is not binding. This car does fine starting out with a cool tranny, but then as it warms up it will not move into high gear. One mechanic said I would have to search junkyards for a similar tranny - $600 to $850. Another tranny guy said a rebuild would be $1100. Another Volvo head said change the fluid and filter and it would clear up. Reverse is fine. 2nd and 3rd are fine as well. Very frustrated at Christmas.

I'd flush the transmission and see what happens. That'll only cost you a case of transmission fluid and some plastic tubing.

If that fails, you should be able to pick up a used transmission for well under the $600- $1100 that your mechanics want to charge you. Can you install a transmission yourself?
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1991 245, 61k miles, looking for a 5 speed 92-93 245 cheap.

Thanks for the quick response. Man I love this forum. No, I have never changed out a tranny and just tonight found trannys on carpart.com for real good prices. I hope the fluid change is all that is needed. Is there a filter that needs changing also? Is there a good guide for changing out the tranny?