I'm having a overdrive problem on my automatic 86 Volvo 240DL Wagon...no matter what i do, the OD off light on the dash stays on and i can't tell if the OD is on, off or if the light is just malfunctioning and the button on the side of the shifter does nothing

 

Have you checked the relay yet?

 

nope, haven't checked anything yet...i was more or less wondering if it was a semi-common problem or if the OD is really on or off...thanks

 

First thing to check is the relay.
Usually when the relay goes bad Overdrive won't work.

 

Same problem with my 86. An easy fix with a new relay. This also fixed the button on the gear shift that would not stay pressed in. A simple cheap fix