240 not shifting into high

Horseface · Post by **Horseface** » 02 Dec 2004, 07:18

I know that this has been asked and I have looked at some of the responses but just so I'm clear...

I have a 1986 240. I never drive with the OD engaged (ie the orange arrow is never illumated) because when it's on it won't go into high gear (Am I minunderstanding OD-does the arrow indicate OD is on or off).

Yesterday, without warning, the car refused to go into high gear. I am guessing that I have one of two problems (three if you include my complete ignorance of all things mechanical).

Either

1. There is a problem with the kick-down cable
2. There is a problem with the overdrive solenoid

Can anyone give me a rough idea of how much it's going to cost to fix either of these problems.

TAFinley · Post by **TAFinley** » 02 Dec 2004, 08:09

When the overdrive arrow is illuminated, the overdrive is not engaged; ie, it's off and you will not have a fourth gear.

Technically, this transmission is a three speed automatic with an overdrive gearbox attached. What this means is that once it reaches third gear, the overdrive engages to give you a fourth gear. Essentially, the overdrive is an independent unit.

The most common cause of the overdrive failing to engage is the failure of the overdrive relay. If the overdrive arrow stays illuminated after you press on the little switch on the shifter, it means that the relay is not working.

A second cause, less common than the relay failing, is shorting of the wiring between the relay and the overdrive solenoid on the transmission. This wiring is sort of draped over the top of the transmission and chafing over the years can expose the wire and short it out against the transmission case.

The least common cause is failure of the overdrive solenoid, the valve mechanism that controls the overdrive unit.

These are all relatively easy repairs for the experienced DIY'er.

The kickdown cable does occasionally wear out. The usual symptom is that it starts to bind in its guide and the car won't readily upshift from 1st or 2nd gear. Also, you'll notice that the gas pedal gets kind of "floppy". This has no effect on the overdrive arrow, however. To replace the kickdown cable you have to drain and drop the transmission pan.

The last time I bought an overdrive relay (April, 2002), it was about US $55.

Mike D · Post by **Mike D** » 18 Dec 2004, 20:28

Where is this relay located. My overdrive arrow stays lit but gets dimmer when I push the OD button to didengage the OD. I can hear a click whenI push the button. Now my trans is not shifting into 4th .

TAFinley · Post by **TAFinley** » 19 Dec 2004, 14:35

As stated previously, when the arrow is lit the overdrive is disengaged. I suspect that you have a shorted cable to the overdrive solenoid or that the overdrive solenoid is defective. The click you are hearing is the overdrive relay engaging and attempting to send voltage to the overdrive solenoid to engage the overdrive.

In my experience, when the overdrive relay fails, there will be no click when you press the button on the shifter. Because you're getting a click, I think the overdrive relay is turning on (the click is the result of an electromagnetic switch in the overdrive relay pulling on a piece of steel on a hinge) but the power is not reaching the overdrive solenoid on the transmission because the cable between the relay and the overdrive solenoid is shorted, or, the overdrive solenoid is bad.

The overdrive relay is a small, rectangular white box located behind the dashboard just to the left of the glovebox. They usually have the manufacturer's name, "Hella", printed on them. They have five flat pins arranged like this:

--
| -- |
|

TAFinley · Post by **TAFinley** » 19 Dec 2004, 14:41

Well, that didn't exactly work as I expected.

The five pins are arranged so that there are three rows. The pin in the first one is a horizontal pin. In the second row there are three other pins; the first is vertical to the left of the pin in the top row, the second is horizontal directly beneath the pin in the first row, and the third is vertical to the right of the second pin in the second row. The third row has a single verticle pin aligned with the pin in the first row and the second pin in the second row.

onejollyfriar · Post by **onejollyfriar** » 24 Aug 2005, 16:23

I read the reply and found that I too could have a short in the wire, etc... however, my transmission will kick into overdrive but only after 20 min of driving. the light for the arrow -- the over drive off -- goes on and off without effect until the car is hot and goes into overdrive, then I can kick it out. which problem is associated with this occurance?

1991 Volvo 240 Wagon, w/130k

Mike

dpauto.com · Post by **dpauto.com** » 24 Aug 2005, 18:59

Mike,

In your case, it can be a sticking OD solenoid. If your car at my shop, first thing I check see the OD solenoid is getting power when Key is switched on. If power is ok, then I would test see if the OD solenoid is clicking (working). If solenoid is ok, then you might have internal transmision issue.

Regards,
Dave

LaRy · Post by **LaRy** » 25 Aug 2005, 13:43

Some facts abot the Hella OD-relay. The ilumination for the arrow is getting exactly the same juice as giving power to the solenoid in the transmission. So if forth gear is following the function of the indicator arrow, the solenoid is working.

If you have problems switching the indicator arrow on or off by the push button, then it is the relay. In most cases it is also the relay if it is turning on or off by itself.

The Hella relay is a "step"-relay, one pulse from the pushbutton will make the relay contact closed and next puls will open the contact. This step function is made by electronics feeding a normal relay. It is very common with cracks in the soldering at the PC-board inside the relay. It is easy to open and resolder all bad points you could see, and it will work again.

Read "shadowrides" 10th of August, he followed my resoldering tip, and now he is a happy man

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 28 Aug 2005, 20:16

I had the same problem with my 87 240. The arrow would go dim but not out some times. Then it would not go out at all sometimes and the car would not go into 4th. The relay was easy to get to by removing the center a/c vents and radio. You can feel it with your hand and you can feel the clicks. I would bet 10 bucks that is whats bad with your car. Drive with the vents and radio out and try to put it into OD. If it doesnt go, tap on the relay and see if it works.
A new relay for me was only 27.00 in Springfield MO!

onejollyfriar · Post by **onejollyfriar** » 03 Oct 2005, 17:11

I found the solenoid and removed it. It is cracked on the top and obiously broken. I have the new solenoid installed but cant trace the original wire back to change it for the new. took apart part of the dash and the center console and cannot locate the end of this wire... can I just cut it and put a connector on it?