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240 stuck in Overdrive? 200 1985

Howdy,

I have a 85 240 Automatic which doesn't seem to make it out of 3rd gear. The engine is really loud when going over 60mph. I think it may be stuck in Overdrive, yet the Overdrive light is not on.
Help.

Thanks,

Jason








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240 stuck in Overdrive? 200 1985

Most likely is a bad relay, which you can resolder to fix the problem -- $0, 15 minutes, no risk, clean 'n easy job. If it helps nothing, you're out nothing.

Another common problem is a broken wire going to the solenoid. I just had this problem on my '90 240. The wire had corroded through at a connector above the tranny. I simply replaced the wire and spliced into the solenoid -- and it shifts into O/D good as new.

The O/D light in a 240 automatic illuminates when you manually defeat the O/D.

--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)








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240 stuck in Overdrive? 200 1985

I had the SAME problem two weeks ago. Search for recent posts on "240 Overdrive", or the ton of past posts on the "Overdrive Solenoid", "Overdrive Relay", etc..

Hope your problem is simply a worn wire leading to OD Soleniod, or perhaps a bad OD Relay. Mine was a bad OD solenoid, which had to be replaced. Since I didn't have the time/tools to do it, the local volvo specialist got my money for this job. Still cheaper than a new car payment . . . at least that's what I keep telling my wife. She drives the new vehicle.

[[ southern fried volvo '91 240 163k mi ]]








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240 stuck in Overdrive? 200 1985

That would be stuck "out of overdrive". Usually, when the light doesn't alert you to that problem, it is either 1) the light is burned out and the problem is in fact a wire, a fuse, or a relay (or a combination of any or all of the three) 2) you are low on transmission fluid 3) your detent cable is stuck or 4) the OD solenoid isn't working properly.

So, turn your key to the number I position, is the light on then?, if no, the bulb is blown, and check your fuses, and such...

Next, if the light does light, check your fluid level (transmission fluid should be checked with the car running, so start it, run it through the gears, put it in park, and then check), adjust or correct accordingly...

If fine, check your detent cable, the one that is at the bottom of the pulley at your throttle body. Has it pulled out and is now stuck beneath the nut that secures the throttle body? Can you tug on it and have it slide freely in and out?

If that is fine, then you most likely have an evil solenoid. We always take them off, take out the smaller o-ring in the middle, and "zizz" a channel to allow for fluid flow.

Hope this helps,

Chris








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240 stuck in Overdrive? 200 1985

Jason,
when you turn on the ignition does the arrow light up then? The bulb may be burned out and that's why it's not on, and the relay may be bad. If you pull out your glove box (open it up and there are like 6 screws around it, take those out and pull) hanging in there should be a white box. With the engine running, or maybe you just need the key on, push the overdrive button on your shifter - does the relay click? The relays often over heat weakening the solder joints, if you unplug it you can pry it open with a couple of screw drivers, one on either side, see if there are any signs of cracking or burning on the circut board, and if there are, it can easily be re soldered or you can get a new one cheap. Your car is probably not stuck IN overdrive, because then it would be fine at 60mph and over, but it probably NEEDS overdrive.
Good luck,
Matt in Maine
1985 240 wagon (that had a bad overdrive relay once too)







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