93 940 towed behind on a car dolly now drive doesn't engage only reverse and 1 low. this is an automatic

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 04 May 2025, 14:11

I just purchased a 93 940 with 180K on it and it's in very good shape. I took it for a test drive and all worked flawlessly. I drove it up onto my uHaul tow dolly left the key in and selected neutral and proceeded to tow it home without any issues. I got home backed the Volvo off the tow dolly and put into Drive and it doesn't engage. I can hear it spinning for lack of a better word but it won't budge. Same with D2 but D1 works fine as does natural, park and reverse. When I got home the gear selector was still in Neutral so I know that didn't slip out. Any idea's before I have it towed to my indie mechanic?

Thank you,

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 05 May 2025, 04:41

I will say that when I shift it into drive, I can feel the car shift into gear only slightly but then it won't move. Thank you for any thoughts.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 05 May 2025, 08:50

Have you checked ATF level? The old automatics tend to leak at the rear seal and travel on a dolly may have leaked lots of ATF. My old 240s would get fussy and adding ATF would solved the problems. Never seemed to be damaged.
volvolugnut

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 06 May 2025, 05:13

yes, the fluid level is full. It's a mystery to me.

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 06 May 2025, 05:47

so, there is a new twist to my problem. I decided to take it for a test drive in my neighborhood while in 1st gear and once accelerated I was able to shift it into 2nd gear and then Drive with no issues and it continued to drive well. It's only when I come to a complete stop and then I try to move forward in Drive does the problem happen. From a complete stop I can go through 1st and then 2nd and then into Drive and it seems to operate normally. Where should I be looking to troubleshoot with this latest development?

Post by **chrism** » 07 May 2025, 22:47

This may be a long shot….. Could the engine and transmission have moved aft while on the dolly, due to bad motor mounts, and now the shifter linkage isn’t stopping in exactly the right locations?0

Hamburger · Post by **Hamburger** » 07 May 2025, 23:10

How long was the towing distance?

I assume it's rear driven and you got it the front axle on the dolly ?
Then i think you fried your tranny...

Automatics, espacially old ones don't like being turned without the engine running.
The engine needs to run to turn the primary pump and lubricate the transmission, you can turn the transmission without it but not for long.

You should have dicsonnected the drive shaft for towing more than an few kilometres.

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 08 May 2025, 13:43

Ahhh. I see. Yes, it was towed about 100 miles or so.

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 09 May 2025, 05:34

Taking it to the shop Monday to see if they can rebuild it if not looking for a used tranny.

aaron1611 · Post by **aaron1611** » 10 May 2025, 04:59

Just a quick update. I'm having the tranny shop look at the volvo on Monday and will post back but I think depending on the cost drive it as is. Around town and even on the interstate doing 65 mph Drive works great. Passing gear, upshifting and downshifting while in Drive works well. It's just starting out from a complete standstill do I need to start in 1st then to 2nd or drive all other scenarios the Volvo drives nicely.