Overdrive issue - 1981 Volvo 244 manual

seggle02

Hello all,

Out for a drive in my 244 today.

On the highway, when I have it at speed with overdrive engaged (light on dash board) it will momentarily drop out of overdrive, then it will re-engage. This can happen many times in quick succession, just once, all very randomnly. Seems to be when transmission is warmed up. The green OD light on dashboard does NOT flicker, leaving me to think its something in the solenoid itself.

For the record, I am running 80-90 gear oil in the gearbox, replaced it about 18 months/8000km ago.

240Joe

I used to have a similar issue which was caused by the OD cable not making good contact with the OD button so I had to wriggle the cable, kind of pushing it up to the button, to stop the issue while driving.

seggle02

240Joe;82387 wroteI used to have a similar issue which was caused by the OD cable not making good contact with the OD button so I had to wriggle the cable, kind of pushing it up to the button, to stop the issue while driving.

But...if the OD light remains on, I can only assume power is getting to everything?

240Joe

Ah OK sounds like a different problem then, mine used to totally drop out of OD light and all

timbo

There are trouble shooting guides online search laycock type j and you should find some info.

Nosi

First thing to do is drain the gear oil, and put the correct fluid in there. ATF type f, or redline MTL. I use MTL and find the 4 gears shift better, but overdrive actuation is a bit slower. The overdrive unit operates like an auto with wet clutches, in both ratios,so you don't want low friction fluid in there.
Then have a look at wiring, particularly for the 4th gear sensor and for shorts around the gearbox itself. Mine would drop out like that in very heavy rain, due to shorts underneath.
All the best, a schmick overdrive is really enjoyable !

egads (she/her)

Ooh, didn't see that it had 80-90 in it, that is why it is dropping in and out as @Nosi said

Biggles

I would also recommend cleaning out the little overdrive filter, solved the issue of my overdrive engaging slowly.