my 1988 turbo 740 car isn't up shifting unless i back off the throttle between 2nd and 3rd (yes it's an auto) It seems to have a huge rev range and i haven't wanted to test how far it goes before it shifts on it's own as i'm afraid of wrecking something. other then that is seems to shift smooth otherwise. Is this normal for a volvo or what could be the problem ? I'm new to volvo's and turbos. thanks

 

I have a '92 740NA with 187K that also has a "late" shift 2nd to 3rd, but it will upshift at 3,600-3,800 RPM unless I help it by lifting from the trottle. Cable adjustment and fluid change have not helped so I assume it is just a little slow and live with that. My other Volvos shift up around 3,200. As far as damaging something, I wouldn't worry as long as you don't go over the red line when testing it to see when it shifts by itself.

 

When you have problems like this with the AW transmissions, it is either a throttle valve issue (kickdown cable and the valve it controls) or a governor issue.
Both the throttle valve and governor control various hydraulic pressures, but they both control either side of one particular valve in the valve body that controls line pressure to shift the gears.
If governor or throttle pressure is higher than it should be, it affects shift speed.
Kickdown cable can cause shift speed malfunctions and should be adjusted as a first step. If no go it might be a valve body malfunction. You can remove valve bodies and have them serviced by trans experts and it's not THAT pricey.

Regards, Andrew.

 

thanks everyone i was going through all the receipts that came with the car and i missed a comment on the bottom of one of them that said the kick down cable needs to be replaced soon so i think i'll start there. where is it located though and how hard is it to get to ? thanks again everyone

 

Hey
I had very similar symptoms in my 745 n/a. I adjusted the kickdown cable and it shifts great now. It's very easy to do. The adjustment for it is on the throttle body, one of the cables goes to the throttle pedal, the other goes to the trans.

http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-90...ble_Adjustment

Good luck and Happy new year.