92 740...how to check O/D solenoid?

Question

Re: 92 Volvo 740 turbo is not going into overdrive:

I removed the O/D solenoid from the side of tranny. WIth iginition ON and O/D button IN to enable O/D, I have good power (test light) right at the solenoid. I have to touch the solenoid to the tranny pan of course, so that it will work. It is drawing quite a lot of amperage, I can tell. However when I cycle power I can feel little if anything as far as a vibration indicating that maybe it is activating. I hewar nothing. I thought it would probably have a very noticeable vibration and "click". The only way I will know for sure if it is good is to somehow see if fluid is alternately passing/not passing through the ports. They are very small, and I don't know how I could do this. I would need some VERY thin plastic tubing of just the right size to jam down into one of the ports. I guess there is a good chance the problem is this solnoid and not the tranny itself. But ...can the kickdown cable be so mis-adjusted as to prevent the O/D from kicking in?

Ideas?

Geronimo

Joe · Accepted Answer

Here is a wonderful 740/940 FAQ site. At the bottom of the page, down arrow on the popup pn the right to link to transmissions.Here is a wonderful 740/940 FAQ site. At the bottom of the page, click on the down arrow on the popup on the right to link to transmissions. Thaksgiving,joe

James Sweet · Answer

It should make a soft click as it engages, and you should then be able to blow air in one of the holes and it will come out the other.

Joe · Answer

Give this URL a shot: down to the bottom to the two pull down menus.joe

geronimo · Answer

Yes, the solenoid does pass air when I energize it with my battcharger.  The only fix is to replace tranny? There was no gasket onthe solenoid...I just hope it seals when it goes back on! Maybe a power flush might help?  Its a big gamble as a powerflushcosts a lot!

James Sweet · Answer

There's an O-ring that seals the solenoid, it may be stuck to the tranny still if you don't see it.

You could flush the tranny yourself, it's not too difficult. Might be worth changing the filter as well, that's an odd problem though, I don't think I've ever come across one that wouldn't shift up. You're sure the kickdown cable and shift linkage are adjusted right?

geronimo · Answer

Not really sure about the kickdown cable...would misadjustment keep itfrom going into OD?

James Sweet · Answer

Yes, and prevent it from shifting up to other gears as soon as it should.

geronimo · Answer

That's probably what is wrong. Is it hard to replace it?    I justreplaced the rear brake calipers...boy was that easy!  (maybebrickboard has the procedure in their how-to's) thanks!

James Sweet · Answer

I've never replaced one, usually they just need cleaning, lubrication and/or adjustment.

berns · Answer

Geronimo,I had a 90' 765 that had the OD solenoid fail and I replaced it withone on ebay and it was bad I finally got one that worked but it willprevent the transmission from going in it's final gear.  I tried allthe methods on Brickboard to determine if it functioned and they allpassed.  The kick-down cable really has little to do with it.  I meanif the cable is at least somewhere in the ball park the tranny willeventually shift.  I bet its the solenoid.  Those AW 70/71 trannys arebullet-proof.  I've never talked to anyone who had one that failed itwas usually the electricals that failed.Bernie Franklinn Nov 22, 7:13 pm, "James Sweet"  wrote:

92 740...how to check O/D solenoid?

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