No fourth gear on Auto again!

[rob1969in]

I have recently had a new kickdown cable fitted on my 240 gl 2.0 estate, 1991 h reg,the other cable had snapped and I wasn`t getting fourth gear etc, well I had a new one fitted and all was fine for a week then tonight on my way home, I pressed the button on the side of the Auto stick to kick down and overtake a slowcoach and the arrow came on as usual and I went down a gear I pressed the button again once I had passed the sunday driver,only for the car to stay in 3rd and no matter how fast I went in 3rd and how many times I clicked the button etc I just could not get out of Third! does anyone have any idea what this is caused by,ie does the cable need adjustment or is it something electrical?

Thanks in advance for any help offered..

Rob

[Peter D]

Did the arrow stay lit, if so you need to check the function of the button and the latching kick down relay. Regards Peter

[marcmarel]

The button in the lever and the kickdown are two different things. The button prevents the box from using fourth gear, which is an overdrive gear. You can use this function when you're in town (the box will happily upshift to fourth leaving you with zero throttle response), pulling caravans uphill etc. It is electrically controlled by a relais, hiding behind the center console.
This could be usefull: http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-90...OverdriveRelay

The kickdown is pure mechanical, a cable rotates a cam, which pushes a switch on the box. As the name suggests it requires the accelerator to be fully depressed (pedal to the metal) before this happens.

It never hurts to change the fluid (ATF) every 24,000 miles.

[rob1969in]

Thanks very much for your replies, it went in to fourth today, it does seem to be a relay problem, I am not going to press that bloody button again!

[minesa240x3]

Hi all,I had the same thing happen to me,I fixed the relay and all seemed fine then it happened again so I got the dremmel out and cut the slot as described on brickboards site.All is now well.Brian.

[Solaris]

You either have a faulty relay or overdrive solenoid.

[rob1969in]

Originally Posted by Solaris

You either have a faulty relay or overdrive solenoid.

Yes and the bloody car wont go in to 4th again, I am sick of it, I gonna look at the relay in a bit, I am dreading it being the Solenoid as that sounds like a hard job for a non mechanic like me..

Volvo 240 Gl for sale 1991 H plate,great condition, no f**king 4th gear!

[rob1969in]

Just had the relay out and there does not seem to be any cracked solder or anything else untoward, I now guess it must be the bloody solenoid...I would like to try another relay before messing about with the solenoid,so if anyone has a spare one knocking about ,please let me know..

Cheers,
Rob.

[Solaris]

Make sure you really examine the relay. The cracks in the solder will be very small. Replacing the overdrive solenoid is not difficult job for a novice. It's simply held by two 12mm bolts. Dropping the transmission crossmember makes the job alot easier as it gives you better access to the bolts.

[rob1969in]

Originally Posted by Solaris

Make sure you really examine the relay. The cracks in the solder will be very small. Replacing the overdrive solenoid is not difficult job for a novice. It's simply held by two 12mm bolts. Dropping the transmission crossmember makes the job alot easier as it gives you better access to the bolts.

Many Thanks man,very helpful advice,I will have a go at the job myself once I get the bits.. so now I am also looking for a working solenoid if anyone has a spare one going,still on look out for relay too!