1985 Volvo 240 Overdrive problem

[seads]

I have a 1985 Volvo 240 with a manual transmission w/ push-button
overdrive. The overdrive has not been engaging and here is what the
car will do when attempting to shift into overdrive:

Driving in 4th gear, I press clutch and push overdrive button

Hear relay click, light goes on, release clutch

Overdrive does not engage

If I let off the gas, the RPMs drop to about idle and I can feel the
tranny trying to grab a gear as the car makes a jerking action.

If I get on the gas again, the RPMs resume what they would normally be
in 4th gear, but overdrive has not engaged.

I have checked under the car at the solenoid to listen for a clicking
sound when OD button is pushed w/ key on, motor off and I can hear the
click.

Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

PS...once in a blue moon, the OD will actually engage but after about
ten minutes it disengages and will not re-engage.

 

[Mr. V]

http://www.swedishbricks.net/faq/transod.html#jumping

 

[mjc]

I have a 1985 Volvo 240 with a manual transmission w/ push-button
overdrive. The overdrive has not been engaging and here is what the
car will do when attempting to shift into overdrive:

Driving in 4th gear, I press clutch and push overdrive button

Hear relay click, light goes on, release clutch

Overdrive does not engage

If I let off the gas, the RPMs drop to about idle and I can feel the
tranny trying to grab a gear as the car makes a jerking action.

If I get on the gas again, the RPMs resume what they would normally be
in 4th gear, but overdrive has not engaged.

I have checked under the car at the solenoid to listen for a clicking
sound when OD button is pushed w/ key on, motor off and I can hear the
click.

Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

PS...once in a blue moon, the OD will actually engage but after about
ten minutes it disengages and will not re-engage.

As the FAQ someone else linked implies, check the oil level
first. If that's ok, the O/D solenoid probably needs to be replaced.

 

[James Sweet]

As the FAQ someone else linked implies, check the oil level first. If
that's ok, the O/D solenoid probably needs to be replaced.

And if that doesn't work, the piston seals in the overdrive are probably
shot, or something major is broken.

 

[Duane]

After low tranny fluid, since you hear the cli9ck of the solenoid, time to
replace the actuating piston seals.

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/OverdriveRebuild.htm

Duane