Hello,

The over drive not engaging, I start out with a transmission flush. If the car has not been under your care very long that most likely needs to be done. The transmission filter does not have to be cleaned, so unless something has come apart no need to drop the pan.Dave Shannon ( http://volvo2.homestead.com/quickindex.html) has a write up on doing the transmission flush that is simple, completely changes all the fluid, and much better than letting someone force fluid though to change out the fluid. You will need 14 to 16 quarts of fluid to do the flush. The other thing to check is the wiring on the overdrive solenoid on the side of the transmission.

Brake line leaks would be a concern. I would pull off the tire on each rotor and give each caliper a good look over. If you do not see a leak where the hose attaches to the caliper, you will want to lift out the brake pads and check the back of those for the source of the leak. There is also the proportioning valve also know as the octopus on the drivers side of the car just behind the front wheel. If you can wipe it down and look, any leak from there should result in an easy to see clean spot where the fluid has run. Most likely the leak is a caliper based on my past history with brakes.

There is an easy place to find what kind of rack you have, find the service label in the back of the car. The one on my 86 245DL is under the rear storage on the right hand side when you raise it up. The Sedan is located on the right hand side of the trunk (standing at the back of the car) near the hinge.

Look at the bottom of the label and you should see L. Steering Gear, 3 is the code for a ZF, and 2 is the code for the Cam Gear.

Just an FYI, the brake code is 1 for Girling front and back, and 2 is the far more typical Griling Front and ATE rear configuration.

Alternator is 1 for Bosch and 3 for Nippondenso.

There is also a ZF cast into the rack (if you have one) just in the front of where the steering column connects. You would have to crawl under and wipe off the rack to find it of course.

On the turn signals, I would take the lens off and give the connectors a good look over. Then check and clean the ground connection (follow the black wire). Replace both bulbs with a new matched set (buy a pack of 2) and see if that gets rid of the gremlin.

Good Luck,

Paul