DL240 overdrive and kickdown cable on automatic

[drapeto]

Glad you got it working Steve!

I'm hoping I can get my '90 240 "in gear". I'm having the same issue of it not going into 4th. I read and ultimately invested in the bypass kit since I didn't see myself needing OD. Installed the plate yesterday, removed the solenoid, cut and taped the end of the wire going to the solenoid, and verified the plate was flush. Arduous with no ramp, but it was done.

Unfortunately, there was no change in performance. I am still not able to get into 4th gear and I noticed I can still change the OD settings from the shifter. The pointing arrow does not stay on, but is affected by my pressing the button. I think both are related, I just can't figure out how.

Short of taking my vehicle to a transmissions specialist (which is impossible on a college student's budget), I'm lost and haven't come across anyone that has had a similar issue.

Suggestions?

cheers

[billiamk67]

Hi Drapeto:

As this is my first post on this board (or any Volvo board for that matter), it would probably make sense for me to post on a repair job I've successfully completed, but since it looks like you posted ten days ago without a reply, I thought I'd pass along what I came across while browsing various 240 boards. I recall reading a post from someone with a non-functioning OD who had replaced his relay and had his mechanic replace the solenoid, but to no avail. He reports the mechanic telling him that sometimes it takes a few weeks or even longer for the fluid to work its way through and for OD to become functional again, which is apparently exactly what happened. Perhaps something similar can happen with the IPD bypass.

I'm midway through diagnosing my own OD failure, but decided to skip the bypass kit as I drive in the mountains from time to time, and I find the OD disengage feature useful to prevent constant gear shifting between 3rd and 4th.

Anyway, perhaps those with real experience will weigh in, but if I were in your situation, I might consider flushing the transmission fluid and changing the screen/filter and gasket, if either haven't been done in recent memory.

Stay tuned for some posts in which I talk about repairs I've actually done; I've gotten a lot of useful information from these boards and figured it was time to give back.

Good luck,

Bill

[billiamk67]

P.S. You're not changing the overdrive settings from the shifter; you're simply activating the relay and dash light arrow. Since you've taken out the solenoid, that's all the shift button is doing: activating a light.