New 240 owner with questions

madapple · Post by **madapple** » 01 Jan 2011, 04:13

Hello,
Ijust picked up a 1991 240 sedan with 92,000 miles. Everything works, it just needs
a few little things. One thing i have found it while driving home,(130 miles) the
transnission shifted hard at what i would call high rpms, and never went into overdrive.
I have found that the downshift cable is pulled out and does not want to go back in.
Question 1.
will this make it shift hard and at higher rpms?
Question2.
If it is only the cable froze and i get it freed up, have i damaged the transmission?
Question 3.
If i have to drop the tranny pan will this be a easy fix, and what is the correct fluid
for this car? I never got a manual with car.

I am very handy with mechanicals, just not much on the transmission.
Love the car and hope to be on here often,,Great site.
Darrell in Southern Indiana

Post by **billofdurham** » 01 Jan 2011, 12:51

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

You can see, and print out, an abridged version of the owner's manual here.

The auto box on the 240 is a four speed with 4th gear engaging automatically unless you push the disengage button on the side of the gear knob. Doing this will stop the changes at 3rd and illuminate a warning light on the instrument cluster (red up arrow). If you are in 4th gear and push the button the box will drop to 3rd and stay in that gear until you push the button again or switch off the engine and restart it.

By downshift cable do you mean the kickdown cable? If so and it has come adrift it can make for harsh changes.

I doubt you will have done any damage to the box but you do need to check the fluid level and its condition. It should be red and not smell of burning. Brown fluid and a burnt smell indicate an immediate fluid change is needed. The change interval for the 240 is 20,000 miles, something a lot of owners forget. You need Dexron ATF.

Bill.

madapple · Post by **madapple** » 01 Jan 2011, 13:31

Thanks Bill,
I have been looking things over, and under, the car. The kickdown cable was froze in the
pulled out position, thus making the transmission think it needs to downshift, the way i
understand it. Having said that, would that cause it to shift hard and at a higher rpm,
and not go into overdrive or4th gear?
I have freed up the kickdown cable but not yet road tested it. Also do I check the transmission
fluid like any other car,,,, warmed up, running on a flat surface?

I might tell you that the OD button on the shifter is working, the light comes on and I hear
the relay click under the dash behind the glove box.

Thanks
Darrell

Post by **billofdurham** » 01 Jan 2011, 15:27

It could cause hard shifts as the kickdown cable and the throttle cable work in unison.

I posted the attached some time ago for checking the fluid and getting the kickdown cable adjusted correctly:

240 AT servicing.pdf: (237.26 KiB) Downloaded 175 times

Bill.

madapple · Post by **madapple** » 04 Jan 2011, 04:55

Thanks Bill,
I have fixed a hole in the exhaust, checked the level of fuid in the transmission,
then took it out for a road test.
WOW,,it is like driving another car. The transmission shifts smooth and like it
should,,,shifted into 4th gear and about 45-50mph,,, the button on the shifter
worked, kicking it down to 3rd.
This thing drives like a dream now,,can't believe the difference. If your kickdown
cable ever becomes froze in the pulled out position, IT WILL CAUSE HARD SHIFTS, AT
HIGHER RPMS AND WILL NOT LET THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTO 4TH.
Now for the clean-up of the car, a couple new tires, change the timing belt, a couple
little light bulbs and enjoy!!!!!!!!!
Thanks
Darrell

Post by **billofdurham** » 04 Jan 2011, 11:49

Thanks you for the update. Happy motoring.

Bill.