Ok I have lots of rev'ing but no go. My wife and were riding in my 960 one day and we heard a thunk, dunk, clunk (not reallly sure what we heard, we were talking... sorry she was talking and I was listening!) and from that point the W-S-E started to flash sequentially as well as the dash arrow. We were near our chevy mechanics shop and we limped in (about 1/4 mile) He tried but he couldn't get an OBDII reading with his scanner. He gave me the impression that he wasn't comfortable looking into it any further so we limped it home (about 3 miles) and there it sits.

I had the front seal replaced on the tranny about 1 1/2 years ago and have never checked fluid level until this problem occurred (no dipstick HA!)and I found the fluid level to be WAY above the HOT or COLD levels and I mean WAY above and it is very brown not the usual pink/crimson as I would of expected and it smelled a little burnt. So I am wondering if the mechanic who replaced the seal wasn't as good as he said he was because of the overfilling of the fluid. Could this have been a cause of the premature death of the tranny?

So I've talked to several Volvo shops and this is what I get from them without seeing the car.

Shop 1: says that the tranny is toast and will need to be replace with a rebuilt tranny. $3600.00

Shop 2: says we can try to replace some solenoids and flush the tranny and see if it fixes the no go tranny problem. Mechanic quote "Ahh a couple hundred bucks"

Shop 3: Says the tranny isn't usually rebuit but replaced and said he can get a used one for about $400 and install in for me for $600 Total about $1000.

Yeah, I know that I didn't take it to them to look at it properly and I did ask them to ballpark it for me, however towing it around town is not my idea of cost effectiveness either. So my question is this...

I have pretty decent mechanical skills, have a comprehensive set of tools, lots of jack stands and air but no lift and have replaced engines and trannys in american & british hardware in garages and backyard throughout the years. I have also done all of the brake work, timing belts, water pumps on my 960 and my wife's 93 945 and daughter's Chevy Cavalier. So my spirit is willing and my alternatives are pretty narrow with a 2/3's vote to Rip Out & Replace the critter.

So now for the question: Is this tranny R&R task one I want to take on and if so, what pitfalls do I need to be aware of before getting knee deep in kimshei with this brick. I have been told bolts go this way and that way and that the flex plate needs to be marked as well as the driveshaft. So any removal details would be greatly appreciated
BTW, the chilton manual for this car and all the others included in it is ok but not great so any other sources for manuals, etc. would be helpful. I thank you all for your time to read my diatribe and to all who respond I thank you in advance for your advice. Have great holiday season and God bless our troops!!