Is my tranny dying?

[Mang0]

I have an 87 Volvo 740 Turbo, 252k miles.

4 days ago it started having trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd after cold
starting. After about 5 minutes of driving it was ok. The problem
continues the next day, so I had the transmission flushed (didn't get
the filter changed yet though). This helpped a little, the car would
shift much more smoothly (I don't know how long it'd been since it was
flushed before, I just got it a few months ago).

Sadly today the problem came back. The engine will rev fine, but it
won't shift from 2nd to 3rd. I also noticed, since the fuild was
flushed, the "Service" light comes on for a good 5 to 10 mins after cold
starting, but then goes out. This is starting to worry me now..

I plan to check all the hoses this weekend. The air filter lid is lifted
up slightly in one corner as a catch is broken. I plan to follow the
advice in the FAQ to get that fixed soon..

Does anyone have advice on what I might look for?
As I said, after I drive around and warm it up, it's fine and will shift
pretty normally.
I was also planning on cleaning the throttle body in a week or two, but
i doubt this is the problem?

 

[Peter K L Milnes]

You need to remove the sump on the autobox and clean the filter also flush
through the valves so that all traces of dirt are removed. Then refill with
fresh ATF. Thereafter a flush/change every 30,000 miles should keep the
tranny happy for a long time to come.

If there are small pieces of metal in the filter that should be OK as the
filter will have trapped them and stopped them from circulating.

Cheers, Peter.

 

[radietz]

I have an 87 Volvo 740 Turbo, 252k miles.

4 days ago it started having trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd after cold
starting. After about 5 minutes of driving it was ok. The problem
continues the next day, so I had the transmission flushed (didn't get
the filter changed yet though). This helpped a little, the car would
shift much more smoothly (I don't know how long it'd been since it was
flushed before, I just got it a few months ago).

Sadly today the problem came back. The engine will rev fine, but it
won't shift from 2nd to 3rd. I also noticed, since the fuild was
flushed, the "Service" light comes on for a good 5 to 10 mins after cold
starting, but then goes out. This is starting to worry me now..

I plan to check all the hoses this weekend. The air filter lid is lifted
up slightly in one corner as a catch is broken. I plan to follow the
advice in the FAQ to get that fixed soon..

Does anyone have advice on what I might look for?
As I said, after I drive around and warm it up, it's fine and will shift
pretty normally.
I was also planning on cleaning the throttle body in a week or two, but
i doubt this is the problem?

The throttle spool on the left side of the motor holds the throttle
cable and the transmission kick down cable. If the transmission cable is
binding it can cause delayed upshifts. However 250,000 miles is well
into the upper service limit for an automatic transmission.

The service light is on part of a counter and illuminates every 5000
miles to remind you to get the oil changed. It stays illuminated for 120
seconds and then self extinguishes.

Bob

 

[Joseph Oberlander]

I have an 87 Volvo 740 Turbo, 252k miles.

4 days ago it started having trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd after cold
starting. After about 5 minutes of driving it was ok. The problem
continues the next day, so I had the transmission flushed (didn't get
the filter changed yet though). This helpped a little, the car would
shift much more smoothly (I don't know how long it'd been since it was
flushed before, I just got it a few months ago).

Sadly today the problem came back. The engine will rev fine, but it
won't shift from 2nd to 3rd. I also noticed, since the fuild was
flushed, the "Service" light comes on for a good 5 to 10 mins after cold
starting, but then goes out. This is starting to worry me now..

My guess isn't the transmission itself(gears/torque converter), but
the hydraulics/actuators. The trick to tell is - can you rev it
pretty high and it will happily drive at 3000 prm in 2nd? If so,
the gears/converter is fine.

 

[Mang0]

My guess isn't the transmission itself(gears/torque converter), but
the hydraulics/actuators. The trick to tell is - can you rev it
pretty high and it will happily drive at 3000 prm in 2nd? If so,
the gears/converter is fine.

Oh yeah, in 2nd at 3000rpm it moves along. It's not too hapyp about it,
and you can tell it'd like to shift up as it's getting to the upper
limit for the geat, but it doesn't choke.

 

[Byrocat]

Have the same problem, and it can be annoying. Engine winds up past
the change-spot but the tranny won't budge.

The work-around that I've found is to (assuming that you've an
automatic tranny) start doing a shift from "Drive" to "2", but never
pull the stick back to "2" but just to the hump-point where you feel
the gear stick moving out of "Drive". Sometimes, even grabbing the
shift-lock button and gently pulling back but not actually moving the
stick works too.... or I've gotten really good at it and don't notice
how far back I'm pulling.

Let go of the stick (still in "Drive"), and the gears kick the right
way.

Also, make sure that you have eased off a bit on the throttle so the
gear change is not hard.

Re the service light.... ignore it until it's in the shop the next
time and go "OBTW... reset the darned thing".

Volvo owners never say strong words (;-P)

 

[Mang0]

The work-around that I've found is to (assuming that you've an
automatic tranny) start doing a shift from "Drive" to "2", but never
pull the stick back to "2" but just to the hump-point where you feel
the gear stick moving out of "Drive". Sometimes, even grabbing the
shift-lock button and gently pulling back but not actually moving the
stick works too.... or I've gotten really good at it and don't notice
how far back I'm pulling.

Let go of the stick (still in "Drive"), and the gears kick the right
way.

Also, make sure that you have eased off a bit on the throttle so the
gear change is not hard.

Re the service light.... ignore it until it's in the shop the next
time and go "OBTW... reset the darned thing".

Volvo owners never say strong words (;-P)

I did read something in the FAQ this week, about a loose gear stick.
Mine is wobbling and apparently this has been known to cause problems
somewhat like ours. THe answer was to replace a few brushings in the
gearbox. I might do that too.

Thank you