Upshift problem on 1990 740 wagon

GSmith · Post by **GSmith** » 11 Apr 2009, 22:32

Hey Everyone,

This is my first post here as I just purchased at 1990 740 wagon (automatic) with 315,000 miles on it.

When driving the car, you have to force upshift from 2nd to 3rd by lifting off the transmission. It will shift on its own eventually, but I don't like to rev it too high.

The other problem, which I'm told is probably a relay, is when I click the small button on the side of the shifter and turn the yellow O/D light "on" (which I think means the OD is "off"?), the car will accelerate in first and then no upshift - it just acts like it's in neutral until you slow down again and it picks first up again.

Any ideas anyone? Will a relay take care of both of these problems?

DeRail · Post by **DeRail** » 12 Apr 2009, 11:28

Welcome to Matthews Volvo Site! And congrats on your new acquisition

The first place to start would be to check your automatic transmission fluid levels.

billofdurham wrote:A 30 minute run; back to a level surface; apply parking brake; engage P and, with the engine idling move the selector lever through all gears pausing for 4-5 seconds in each position. Back to P and let engine idle for about 2 minutes, remove dipstick, wipe on a lint free cloth, replace dipstick then withdraw it and check the reading.

But even on my car 1988 760 GLE the transmission can sometimes take a bit of "coaxing" to upshift.

Let us know what you find out

Post by **billofdurham** » 12 Apr 2009, 11:43

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Thank you DeRail, I had forgotten I had written that. Just goes to show you should never put anything in writing as it will resurface some day.

Also check the transmission fluid for colour and smell. If it is brown and smells burned it needs changing. Bad fluid can cause all sorts of problems on these boxes. It should be changed every 20,000 miles on your year/model.

The overdrive problem could be the relay or it could be the solenoid on the side of the gearbox and a third possibility is the switch on the shift lever.

The overdrive problems are well documented on this forum and a search will turn up plenty of good advice and help. If you are still doubtful post back for more help.

Bill.

GSmith · Post by **GSmith** » 12 Apr 2009, 12:23

billofdurham and DeRail: Thanks for getting back to me! The fluid on this car is clean and recently changed. Nothing showing there. I will drive it as specified by bill (as quoted by DeRail) and check the fluid level.

I did try and search last night regarding the O/D problem, but I guess I wasn't putting in the right search criteria. I'll probably do the relay first and take it from there. Thanks!

Post by **billofdurham** » 12 Apr 2009, 12:49

When you search don't specify 740 as the 240 and 940 have the same auto boxes and the same problems. It may help to search under my name as the author as I have done a write up for the solenoid.

The overdrive relay is in the second row, extreme right. Ignore the two relays on the side at the right, they aren't used.

Bill.

GSmith · Post by **GSmith** » 12 Apr 2009, 13:04

Bill- Thanks for the search tips, I appreciate it. Off the top of your head, is the solenoid on the side of the tranny hard to get to? (just in case that's what it is?)

Post by **billofdurham** » 12 Apr 2009, 15:32

Not hard to get to at all:

740 od solenoid location..pdf: (364.01 KiB) Downloaded 859 times

To save time with searching this is how to test the solenoid:

740 solenoid check.pdf: (1 MiB) Downloaded 601 times

....and as I am going through my files this is the fuse/relay board on your car:

740 fuse_relay board.pdf: (335.29 KiB) Downloaded 631 times

If the solenoid is at fault you can buy a solenoid bypass from IPD, link at top of the page. This means you have a 4 speed box without having to use the overdrive switch and is OK if you don't tow a trailer or live up the side of a mountain.

I hope this all helps.

Bill.

DeRail · Post by **DeRail** » 13 Apr 2009, 21:38

billofdurham wrote: Thank you DeRail, I had forgotten I had written that. Just goes to show you should never put anything in writing as it will resurface some day.

no problem, you had helped me out in one of my earlier threads and figured I'd use your instructions as they were the most straightforward..

billofdurham wrote: If the solenoid is at fault you can buy a solenoid bypass from IPD, link at top of the page. This means you have a 4 speed box without having to use the overdrive switch and is OK if you don't tow a trailer or live up the side of a mountain.

IPD does make a good product, but figured I'd throw this in for the DIY'ers. http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/TransmissionAuto.html scroll down to the heading: Eliminating the Solenoid and the Manual Downshift System and there are instructions on how to bypass your existing solenoid.

Darrell

GSmith · Post by **GSmith** » 14 Apr 2009, 07:43

bill and DeRail, again, thank you so much!

Actually, I had to replace the water pump yesterday as my first repair (not for the pump itself, but the seals were completely toast on the existing pump and leaking), so I haven't gotten to the tranny issue yet.

Today was the first day I was able to use the 740 for my 22 mile commute to work in stop and go traffic and, leaving the O/D switch alone, the transmission's only problem is the late upshift into 3rd which needs to be coaxed by letting off the gas. That's tolerable, but when I'm moving in traffic around 40/45 mph, and I've gotten it to upshift by letting off the gas, it VERY easily again downshifts.

It's almost as though the car has an "oversensitive" kick down cable. I don't think that's possible, unless it's an adjustable cable. Any ideas? Or is just time for the solenoids? I can live with it for now (since I need to do the front brakes first).

Post by **billofdurham** » 14 Apr 2009, 12:01

It's almost as though the car has an "oversensitive" kick down cable. I don't think that's possible, unless it's an adjustable cable.

It is possible and it is adjustable. For lots of reading matter, when you have a few minutes to spare, do a search for kickdown cable in this forum.

Adjustment details are in the attached:

740 kick down cable.pdf: (238.3 KiB) Downloaded 810 times

Bill.