I have a '91 240 DL wagon with an auto transmission that doesn't shift into third gear. During the summer it would only shift into 3rd after the car had been driven for approx. 20min. Now it refuses to shift into 3rd. Could this be a hydrolic issue? Maybe it needs a flush? Has anyone ever seen this issue?
Thanks

Not shifting into 3rd gear would be an unusual problem. Your car actually has 4 gears, the 4th gear is called overdrive. Do you mean that it is not going into 4th gear? If so you may have a problem with the overdrive relay, wiring or solonoid.

Resoldering or replacing the overdrive relay and flushing of the tranny are both considered normal preventive maintenance procedures.

If indeed it is not getting into 3rd gear then the overdrive relay is not an issue and flushing would be in order. Of course as the other poster says check the kickdown cable.
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David Hunter

OK - I miss spoke - The car doesn't shift into 4th gear. So, at about 55 or 60 mph the rpms are running pretty high and it doesn't want to go into the top gear. Again, It did shift after warming up about 2 months ago, but now it never shifts to 4th. The engine runs really well and should for a long time, so any more advice would be helpful. Thanks for the replys so far!

As stated start with the OD relay. Resolder (cost nothing, takes 10 minutes) or replace it. See the 700/900 FAQ for lots of info on this subject. It applies to your 200 as well.
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David Hunter

There are a number of links in the chain of events that must occur to cause the shift to 4th (Overdrive).

You have seen the reference to the o/d relay.

What are you seeing regarding the amber "Up" arrow on the dash? Does the button switch on the shifter handle change the light? No arrow points to relay. Having an arrow but no o/d points to wiring, solenoid, or o/d unit.

Next question: With the switch on, engine not running, driver door open, can you hear a click underneath when you push the o/d switch? Click is the solenoid. Yes means maybe OK. No means No good.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Classic overdrive relay problem. Resolder or replace relay. If that doesn't cure the problem, check the wiring.

First, check to make sure your kickdown cable isn't sticking. It wraps around the same pulley as the throttle cable and disappears into a black housing that snakes down toward the transmission. If it's stuck, it won't retract into its housing when the pulley is twisted. The cable on my '86 240 did this. Remove the cable from the pulley and hold the cable/housing vertical, then drip oil between the housing and cable until the cable moves freely. The problem will recur, but in my experience this will work for about a year.