I suppose there are ways for this problem to occur on both types of tranmission, but neither sound like they are very simple to fix. If it's an automatic, then you should certainly check the kickdown cable (right next to/underneath the throttle cable) for proper tension and springiness. However, that's probably not the problem since the car "has no problem switching from 1st into 2nd gear." It might be a more substantial transmission problem.

Ditto for the manual transmission. I'm not familiar with manuals, but my guess is that it might be a tough problem to fix.
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'89 244 GL -- 108,600 miles (see profile for info on car)

Check the downshift/kickdown cable. It's located on top of the engine on the driver's side. See if it's off the spool or just stuck out. If it's stuck out you will need to drop the transmission pan to replace it. There's lot's of great info in the FAQ'S about how to do this. If the cable seems okay then check the trans. fluid level. If it's full smell the fluid and see if it smells burnt. If so you will need to drain the fluid and replace the screen. If none of this helps it looks like trans. re-build time or get a used one from the junkyard.

Good Luck
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Volvos4me4ever 1989 245 274K miles still going strong, 1992 745 Turbo 110K miles real nice!

It could be a mountain or a molehill. The molehill solution would be to top off the transmission fluid and everything works great.

The mountain would be a new transmission.

Sometimes the if the tranny fluid hasn't been changed often enough or if a main bushing dies little shreds of metal will keep the valves in the transmission from opening and closing properly. This would make the transmission shift at unusual rpms or not at all, similar to your friend's case. If this is the case you could try to flush the tranny fluid a few times and hope you work things loose. But usually people end up buying a new tranny.

Hopefully someone else here will know something I don't and it will be an easy solution.



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- Mike