Suddenly, after head gasket replacement, my 745T's AW71 is shifting badly. The 1/2 shift seems okay, then it winds out 2nd forever, maybe starting to shift, maybe not (what seems like maybe starting to shift might be the engine losing torque as it winds out, or maybe it really is the tranny). I can make it shift to 3rd if I lift my foot. If I lift, then it shifts into 3rd pretty hard most of the time, then, almost immediately, goes right into 4th or overdrive.

I have let it do its thing without lifting just to see if it is my misjudgement of when it should be shifting - remember, I'm primarily a rotary engine driver, and thought that I might be overprotective of piston engine in the Volvo. But, no, it is clearly winding the engine out too far in 2nd gear. And if I don't lift my foor, it will do so in 3rd too.

It always would wind out 2nd a bit, but well within reason, not like this.

Fluid level, when hot is exactly in the middle of the hot side of the dipstick, between the max and min markings, so it has enough fluid. The fluid is brownish and might smell lightly burned or, in kitchen terminology "lightly browned." Again, this is the first automatic I've had in over 26 years, so I'm not really sure of that.

I've read the FAQ, and think that the first thing to do is to get the tranny flushed, soon, very soon. Did not disconnect or remove the kickdown cable during head gasket work, but will check the adjustment, just in case.

After the head gasket job, I really want to take some time off from car work.

Is the dealer a good place to get the tranny flushed? If not, are there other places that can do a good job? Any other ideas or suggestions?
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Scott Cook - 1991 745T, 1985 RX-7 GSL-SE, 1986 Toyota Tercel (Don't laugh, it is reliable, faithful AND gets 41 mpg!)