Hi Don,

Here's my situation: '89 240 DL Automatic. 195,000 miles. Car is driven 50 miles in the morning and 50 at night, 5 days a week. 40-45 of the 50 miles are >=65 mph, Remaining 5-10 miles are driven at < 40 mph. Engine and Trans run smoothly, when symptoms below don't appear.

Recent Significant Events: At the end of last year, I replaced the Transmission Relay next to the glove box. Earlier this year, the alternator went and was replaced. Prior to proper diagnosis, the fuel control computer was mistakenly diagnosed and replaced (ouch$$$!).

Twice this year, once before the alternator went and again this morning, while driving at > 65 mph, the transmission kicked down. What's more, resetting the system doesn't reset the relay/(orange arrow on the dash). The last time this relay went, I ate the labor cost, but thought I bought piece of mind when I was told the current across and through the relay was to spec.

I bought this Volvo thinking I would be able to fix as I went and because I always heard people say they got +300k miles. I am highly disappointed about my unstable and costly vehicle to the point of thinking about buying a new car, but would prefer not to take that ex$pen$ive route.

Are you familiar with symptoms similar to what I experienced recently, and if so, what do you recommend? Thanks in advance.