89 245 wagon hesitates shifting into reverse

[olddaddy]

I bought an 89 Volvo 245 wagon with an automatic trans that hesitates before shifting into reverse. Sometimes it goes in right away and sometimes you have to sit for about 15-30 seconds before reverse engages. It goes into drive without any issues. The car drives fine and all in all seems well maintained. I wondered if this could be a linkage problem, solenoid or relay, or internal pressure or wear related? The car has 280K miles.

[93Regina]

I wondered if this could be a linkage problem.

Inspect linkage

There are hydraulic pressure tests that can be done.

OD Solenoid may or may not be the issue; click it several times. Does it work?