Lately, I have noticed that as I accelerate, the shifting is both hard and

late- not as smooth as it used to be. I checked the fluid and it seemed ok.

Could it be my kickdown cable?

Thanks,

Bob H.

I agree with Steve. It's probably the kickdown cable. If you attempt adjustment, and the problem doesn't seem fixed, another possiblity is that the cable has aged and is binding, rather than springing back to its correct position, when you're off the gas. I performed a successful temporary fix by spraying some synthetic lubricant into the cable and moving it. Repeat this procedure a few times, and then try it. You'll have to take the cable loose from its bracket on the throttle so you can effectively get the lubricant down where it's needed.

The next step would be cable replacement.

G

Good chance that it is your kick-down cable. First try tightening it up a little - maybe 1/8 to 1/4" or so at the adjuster by the throttle spool. This will hold the tranny in geat to higher rpm on upshift and cause to down shift quicker on acceleration. However, if the cable has let go or is about to, this may not help - when they get ready to break, they will usually break one strand at a time and cause the cable to stretch a little knocking it out of adjustment. Adjusting in this case is only temporary as more strands break. With pedal fully depressed (check to make sure no floor mats under pedal!), you should be able to pull out only an additional 2mm of kickdown cable.

Check your fluid - smell burnt at all or look funky? If so flush the tranny, and perhaps drop the pan and clean the valve bodies and such. Use of a synthetic fluid like AMSOIL will help keep the tranny clean and will even help clean up old deposits that could be restricting fluid channels.

Do yo know which tranny you have - AW or ZF? There were some problems with some of the ZF models. IF it turns out yours is a ZF and is toast, you would be better served to replace it with an AW unit rather than repair it.

I have/had the same problem.

Only I have/had it when engine/transmission was cold. !!!

After 2 traffic lights it's fine.

My mechanic adjusted the kickdown cable.

Check the FAQ ! As I understand it is :

shorter cable = early shift

longer cable = late shift

I am not so shure if I like it now.

Is your problem always or when trans is cold / warm / hot ?

There are also additives for sticking valves.

I never tried that.

Hope it helps

I will let the gang chime in after me because my Volvo is a standard BUT on american cars, there is a vacuum line that goes to the automatic to signal a gear shift. You may have a crack in that hose IF Volvo 's work the same way.

These little 7mm rubber/plastic balls upside the valve body in the trans...one guy had one that had worn/decreased in diameter to 5mm....

????

It's probably in the FAQ.