'93 240 automatic - where is the relay/switch for the fifth gear?

Discussion in 'Volvo 240' started by Someone, Feb 4, 2008.

  1. Someone

    Someone Guest

    I got stuck in the snow last Friday and now the car doesn't go in the
    fifth gear. I know on a previous '91 240, the relay/switch had burned
    (the dealer changed it). So I guess it could be the same thing and I
    would like to do it myself.

    Can someone tell me the exact location of that relay/switch which
    allows the car to go to the last gear?

    Thanks..
     
    Someone, Feb 4, 2008
    #1
  2. Someone

    Mr. V Guest

    On my 1982 244, the relay is to the left of the glove box, under the
    top of the dashboard.

    Undo the screw that hold the glove box, remove the glove box, and it
    is accessible.

    Not sure if your year is the same.
     
    Mr. V, Feb 4, 2008
    #2
  3. Someone

    James Sweet Guest

    It is. Once you get it out, it's easy to repair if you know how to solder,
    the same thing goes wrong on all of them.

    The wire to the solenoid under the car is a common problem as well.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 4, 2008
    #3
  4. Someone

    Someone Guest

    I got the part, I opened it and it looked fine inside. I was stuck in
    the snow and I put the car in Reverse and Drive a few times to get
    myself out of the snow. Do you think it is very likely that it is the
    relay? It will cost me $100 to find out (the cost of a new one).

    P.S. In case you wonder why I didn't get out of my car and find
    another way out of the snow, I broke my leg while skiing and walking
    isn't my strong point right now.

    Thanks.
     
    Someone, Feb 4, 2008
    #4
  5. Someone

    James Sweet Guest


    A new relay is more like 40 bucks.

    Look closely at the solder joins on the bottom of the circuit board, the
    heavy connections for the plug contacts and the mechanical part of the
    relay. There will probably be hairline cracks around some of the pins.

    If the arrow light on the dash is illuminated, the problem is in the relay,
    if not, it could be the wiring under the car or some other problem.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 4, 2008
    #5
  6. Someone

    Someone Guest

    Thanks for the reply.

    Here's what I've done: I removed the cover from the relay and plugged
    it in. I drove the car around and observed the relay as I drove at
    speed where it should go into 5th gear.

    As soon as I start the car, the relay closes and stay closed all the
    time. If I press the button on the the gear selector to disengage the
    last gear (arrow illuminated) the relay opens. Pressing the button
    again closes the relay. I repeated this operation many times and it
    always work.

    So it seems the relay is closing and opening when pressing button on
    gear selector. Does this mean the relay is working fine? If yes,
    where should I look next?

    Btw, I called the local Volvo dealer and the part is $85 + taxes!

    Thanks.
     
    Someone, Feb 4, 2008
    #6
  7. Someone

    James Sweet Guest


    Sounds like the relay is probably fine, it's behaving as designed, the only
    other thing to check electrically is that 12V is present at the wire to the
    solenoid on the side of the transmission. All it does is close a hydraulic
    circuit which locks out overdrive, it's 4th gear actually, there is no 5th
    on the auto box. The electrical side of things behaves exactly the same with
    the car parked and the ignition on as it does while driving. Wouldn't hurt
    to check the fuses as well, I forget if the power for the relay comes from
    the same source as the power it controls.

    Have someone listen under the car, turn on the ignition but don't start the
    engine. When you push the lockout button, the solenoid should click
    underneath, if it does, then something else is screwy, misadjusted linkage
    or internal transmission problem, that's rare though.

    Never buy stuff like that from the dealer, it's far cheaper from IPD and
    cheaper still from online places like FCP Groton. The dealer is a last
    resort when a part simply cannot be had from anywhere else.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 4, 2008
    #7
  8. Someone

    Ross G Guest

    Since the problem started after the adventure in the snow, it might be
    useful to check for damage to electrical connections under the car.
    Auto boxes are not my strong suit - I don't know exactly were the
    connections to the auto trans are located.
     
    Ross G, Feb 5, 2008
    #8
  9. Someone

    Mr. V Guest

    Or, if you have some U Pull It junk yards in your area with some old
    Volvos, do what I do: grab a bunch of relays and small parts to keep
    at home "just in case."
     
    Mr. V, Feb 5, 2008
    #9
  10. Someone

    Someone Guest

    I did as you suggested and there is no noise whatsoever coming from
    the solenoid.

    Thanks.
     
    Someone, Feb 5, 2008
    #10
  11. Someone

    James Sweet Guest


    That's a good sign. I'm leaning towards the wire under the car, it goes from
    the solenoid up into the tranny tunnel into the car. If it isn't that, then
    the relay or the fuse.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 5, 2008
    #11
  12. Someone

    Someone Guest

    Sorry, forgot to mention that fuses were checked first and they are
    fine.

    Maybe I misunderstood your earlier reply, but since the solenoid
    doesn't make any noise when pressing the button on the gear selector,
    I thought it meant that the solenoid could likely be defective?
     
    Someone, Feb 5, 2008
    #12
  13. Someone

    Allen Guest

    It sounds like the solenoid could be defective or, as has been suggested, a
    problem with the wiring. Was the snow deep enough it might have loosened
    the plug or pulled wires loose? think the next step is to check for voltage
    at the solenoid.
     
    Allen, Feb 5, 2008
    #13
  14. Someone

    James Sweet Guest

    It could, but that's rare, the only solenoid failure I've ever seen it was
    leaking, it still clicked. Either the relay or the wiring under the car is
    very likely the problem.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 5, 2008
    #14
  15. Someone

    Someone Guest

    Is there a way to measure the voltage at the pins of the overdrive
    relay? I mean while it is plugged in, using a voltmeter and doing it
    very carefully.

    Yesterday when I looked at the solenoid, the wire seemed fine, It was
    properly connected to the solenoid.

    And yes, I drove for an hour with snow as thick as the clearance under
    the car (I was on my way to hospital - emergency).

    IPD isn't an option here in Canada. And Volvo dealers love to sc#$%
    you with high prices (I recently found out that a front wheel caliper
    for a 240 sells for ~$170, but the dealer pays ~$85. They made a
    mistake - first time ever - and sold it to me at $85. It was too
    late when they realized and NO I wasn't going to pay for their
    mistake...).

    I once triewd a scrapyard located close to Toronto. They sent the
    wrong tachometer and ending up killing the speedometer. Pricey those
    darn things...

    P.S. If you want shitty service from the Volvo dealers come to
    Canada. Makes me sick enough, I'm not sure I'll ever buy another
    Volvo. This 240 is my 6th Volvo.

    Thanks for the help and listening to my rant.
     
    Someone, Feb 6, 2008
    #15
  16. Someone

    James Sweet Guest


    You could measure voltage and continuity at the relay socket, but I forget
    which pin is which. You can also bridge two pins and force the solenoid on.

    There's lots of options besides IPD. I usually use FCP Groton or
    alloemvolvoparts.com, there's at least one other big online seller which I
    forget. FCP lists the OEM Bosch relay for US$31, and Hella relay for $30.
    Brake calipers are $44.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 6, 2008
    #16
  17. Someone

    clay Guest

    Yes. Don't even have to be careful... it's only 12V.

    Touch all the joints on the relay with a clean hot soldering iron. Just
    because you can't see a bad joint doesn't mean there aren't any.
    My OD relay on my '83 looked fine under a jewelers loop but I touched
    them up anyway. Been working fine since.
    Same with the turn sigiginal relay.

    Run a hot wire out of the fuse box and poke it on the terminal on the
    solenoid... see if it goes click.
     
    clay, Feb 6, 2008
    #17
  18. Someone

    Someone Guest

    Thanks for the info about online stores. I'll check them out. So
    sick of Volvo dealers. Here's one more tip about Volvo dealers, I
    recently found out that the owner of the Volvo dealership I go to was
    charging customers for the time the techs are on break/lunch. And
    they charge more than $100/hr.

    Could you please expand when you say bridging two pins? Which ones?
    Removing the solenoid to check voltage isn't an option.

    I might get a relay from FCP or Hella, just needs to check that they
    ship up North...
     
    Someone, Feb 6, 2008
    #18
  19. Someone

    James Sweet Guest


    I don't remember which pins, I'd have to look at it to tell.

    You don't have to remove the solenoid, though it's only two bolts, the wire
    unplugs.
     
    James Sweet, Feb 6, 2008
    #19
  20. Someone

    Someone Guest

    I received the OD relay from FCP and it doesn't solve the problem.
    Unless the part is defective, which is unlikely. I would have
    prefered a Bosch or OEM, but mine is a Kaehler. In the end, I think
    the part is fine, so my problem is elsewhere.

    FCP sells an OD solenoid for $95. Would you suggest I order it?

    Or do you have another suggestion?

    Thanks.
     
    Someone, Feb 15, 2008
    #20
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