1983 240 Manual Transmission Overdrive Intermittent

JimB92 · Post by **JimB92** » 14 Jun 2012, 12:22

The overdrive works intermittently when the OD button is pushed. When it works, the green OD light comes on, and the overdrive engages. It also deselects fine. OD does not work each time OD button is pressed. OD switch and relay changed out. Wiring repaired where insulation deteriorated. Wiring looks good. What else could be wrong?

Post by **billofdurham** » 14 Jun 2012, 12:49

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

The attached is from a Volvo publication:

240 1983 Overdrive check.pdf: (100.42 KiB) Downloaded 210 times

Bill.

Bigblue · Post by **Bigblue** » 14 Jun 2012, 13:32

A common failure in these cars is the wiring for the OD switch at the base of the shifter...The wires fatigue and break inside the insulation so that it is not evident to the naked eye...Pull the shifter boot up and away from the tunnel and you will see the two wires coming out of the bottom of the stick and routing down through the floor...If they are broken, you will be able to feel it for lack of stiffness at one point in the wire, or wires...If so, a splice is in order...

JimB92 · Post by **JimB92** » 14 Jun 2012, 13:56

Thank you. I will check all.

JimB92 · Post by **JimB92** » 15 Jun 2012, 11:40

Voila! I checked the OD switch wire at he base of the stick and found the problem. After splicing in three new wires which were obviously bad, I assumed the OD harness was okay because it looked good on the exterior. Lo and behold, when I tested the OD and it worked, I then moved the wire harness a little. The OD stopped working. Very insidious. Ordered a new harness from IPD. They provide an excellent attachment on how to replace it. In the process, learned that a new solenoid is a difficult part to find. Thanks for all your help!

Post by **billofdurham** » 15 Jun 2012, 12:31

Thank you for the update.

Bill.