Q: Shifting problems at high speed

asked by on August 18, 2016

The car has developed transmission issues, more specifically, shifting difficulty at higher speeds. When I'm driving at the speed of 65 mph and higher, I'm not able to shift gears. This has lasted for awhile now. I used to manage to shift by decelerating first and then applying the gas pedal again. Now this issue is worse. It would occasionally start shifting after driving for a while. While driving at lower speeds, I haven't experienced any problems. What could be wrong?

Car is hard to shift Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

My guess is that the overdrive relay or solenoid has failed. If either of these parts fail, your Volvo will not shift into overdrive. This is a very common problem on Volvos such as yours. A trained professional, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to diagnose your shifting issue firsthand to determine if this is indeed the cause.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What does the Maintenance Minder indicator mean?
Your car is equipped with a pretty advanced system designed to help you remember when most of your maintenance services are due. These reminders are shown in the Maintenance Minder on the dash of your car. The Maintenance Minder notification...
Car squeaking around belt area
The symptoms you describe for your GMC Yukon lead me to believe that we are dealing with a worn out serpentine belt. As the belt ages, the rubber starts to deteriorate and stretch. This causes the belt to rub material...
Sloshing noise on startup
The first thing to do is check your coolant (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-often-do-i-need-to-top-off-my-coolant) and see if you're low on fluid. When you are low on coolant, air bubbles are created and these air bubbles will slosh through the dash because the heater core...
Engine loses power when i put radiator cap on
When you overheated the engine before when the radiator broke, you must have blown the head gasket. Have the radiator pressure tested to see if the engine cylinder gets coolant in to the cylinders. This will indicate a blown head...
I need help with diagnostic trouble codes that suddenly appeared making vehicle almost undriveable.
Firstly, you should have the battery disconnected and the PCM disconnected. Check their connectors for any problems and apply dielectric lube to the connectors so the connection is clean from corrosion. If the problem continues then replace the PCM. All...
2012 Mini Cooper Countryman O2 Sensors May have gone bad.
I would have to say do not replace the O2 sensors since they are just telling you the system is rich and they see it. You should have the Mass Airflow Sensor and any inlet tubes checked for leaks. Clean...
My rear tire on the driver side feel hot?
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 2005 Honda CR-V. It is normal for tires to get a little warm after driving on the highway. If one tire is warmer than the others, then first check to make sure...
Why is my key stuck in the ignition?
Hello. There are a few reasons the key may be stuck in the ignition (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-key-is-stuck-and-does-not-turn-inspection). The first step of course is to make sure the steering wheel is not locked. The easiest way to get the key to release is...
how can we adjust the resolution of toyota corolla backup camera
Hello, thank you for writing in. Yes, you can change the settings. The display screen can be adjusted under the "display" option under "setup". You can adjust contrast and brightness, and you can also change between day and night modes....

Related articles

Is it Safe to Drive With a Slipping Transmission?
The transmission converts the power from the engine into motion so the vehicle can move. Vehicles have either an automatic or manual transmission....
5 Commonly Overlooked Vehicle Maintenance Items
Brake fluid, auto transmission fluid, and coolant flushes, as well as cabin filter changes and valve adjustments, are all important services.
Industry News for Automotive Techs: October 8-14
50 MPG Chevrolet Cruz Diesel, Mazda's G-Vectoring drive system, Uber and Volvo collaborate on autonomous cars, and Hubb's new reusable oil filter.