Can anyone help on what I should be looking for I have a 1989 Volvo 740 GL Wagon, need a transmission, what model # and what years could fit this 1989 wagon.

Thanks, John

Regarding your '89 740 transmission:
If you have a non-turbo vehicle, your car probably came with an AW-70L unit.
If you have a Turbo vehicle, you probably have a AW-71.
If you have a 16-valve non-turbo, you probably have an AW-72L.
All 3 of these are pretty much the same from the outside, same mounting points, etc.

Since you have a GL, I'm pretty sure that your car is non-turbo, and probably has just the standard 8-valve engine like most of us and would thus have the AW-70L. You can use an AW-70 or AW-71 if necessary, but you'll need to swap in a torque converter for the AW-70 or 71 since they don't have Lockup like the AW-70L. The AW-71 is intended for turbocharged vehicles, but it would work if you didn't have any other choice, and you probably wouldn't notice much of a difference in shift points. Starting in '89, Volvo began using the LH-Jetronic 2.4 Fuel Injection system in their non-turbo cars, and this incorporates an RPM sensor mounted to the top of the bellhousing above the flywheel. You could use an 88 or earlier tranny, but you'd have to swap the bellhousing from your current tranny to make it work since the earlier ones did not have the cutout for the RPM sensor.

FYI, the transmission ID tag is located on the driver's side of the tranny (assuming you live in North America), just above the tranny pan. It's about 1.5"x1" square and has one central rivot holding it to the transmission. Wipe away the oil and tell us what you find. (you'll probably see something like 03-70L and that would be an AW-70L transmission)

Just curious, what's wrong with your existing transmission? Are you certain that it needs a replacement? Currently, I have a spare AW-71 and torque converter at my house if you need them. (West Michigan, 49460)

God bless,
Fitz Fitzgerald.
--
'87 Blue 240 Wagon, 248k miles.
'88 Black 780, PRV-6, 145k miles.

Hello,

Very helpful, the transmission requires considerable amounts of RPM over 500 to get from 1st to 2nd after that the car runs fine. I haven't had it looked at by a professional nor do I have any I trust so your help is appreciated.

Thanks, John

the transmission requires considerable amounts of RPM over 500 to get from 1st to 2nd after that the car runs fine.

I think you ment 5,000 RPM. I was working on a friend's 740 Turbo with similar symptoms on Sunday. She was 2 quarts low of fluid in the tranny. If you're not familiar with checking your transmission fluid level, I would encourage you to read your owners manual since it's a different procedure than checking the oil and the car must be running. If your owners manual is missing, download one for free from Volvos owners circle. Also, if you're just going for a quick check of the tranny fluid and the car has been stitting for awhile (engine off), pull the yellow tranny stick and see if the fluid is up to the "cheater notch." I believe it was Art that discovered that when the transmission has been sitting for awhile, the level rises to the small notched cutout on the stick (a few inches above the MIN/MAX marks). If you're low, fill it up to the "cheater notch" and then drive the car and check as per the instructions.

Pick up a couple quarts of Dexron 3 ATF today and hopefully this will cure the problem.

God bless,
Fitz Fitzgerald.
--
'87 Blue 240 Wagon, 248k miles.
'88 Black 780, PRV-6, 145k miles.

Hello again,

The fluid checks fine, any other tips or tricks?

Thanks, John

The only other easy check that I can offer is making sure the Detent cable is properly adjusted. This is the cable that mounts to the throttle wheel next to the throttle cable and cruise control cable (it's the one that goes under the wheel rather than over it). This cable determines the shift points of the vehicle by reading how far you have the accelerator depressed. However, if it's shifting fine in higher gears, this may not be the case. Adjusting this cable is done by putting a turn or two on the adjustment screw and then taking it for a test drive. Make sure the cable easily slides in and out, and retracts on it's own. Lubricating it with a bit of tranny fluid has helped a few people who had sticking Detent cables. Don't use motor oil since the tube feeds directly into the tranny pan and anything you put into the cable will end up in the tranny fluid.

FYI, a friend of mine is going to part out an '87 240 sedan. Email me (click on my name above) if you're interested in the transmission from this vehicle. It's an AW-70 (no lockup) but it should be in good shape and the cost would be pretty cheap.

God bless,
Fitz Fitzgerald.
--
'87 Blue 240 Wagon, 249k miles.

Hey Fitz,

Thanks for that great link !

Noel

Dude I think maybe any '89 wagon or sedan maybe. Is there a difference in the two. Check out what I found in the archives.
http://brickboard.com/ARCHIVES/1998MAY/20002193.shtml

You can always get one from a local boneyard if worse comes to worse!

Hope something here helps
--
92 240 2.3 L with a Borla! 103,000 Miles and More!!Go Team Grimace!!