tnkenmcd »
Just bought a used 1996 960 and it’s started having a transmission shift problem. Sometimes when I drive, the transmission suddenly changes gears, usually downshifting, and seems to have a hard time staying in high gear (overdrive) with steady (slight) throttle.
I get blinking UP arrow on dash, the blinking W S E lights, and Check Engine light. The code reader at Autozone gives code P0500 Speed Sensor.
tnkenmcd »
Well, I think I got the problem fix. Or it’s just “gone away”
I removed the TCM and disconnected it’s connector. Read the resistance down to the transmission speed sensor across 22 & 37. It read 600 Ohms just like a direct reading and within specs.
The next steps suggested checking the wiring between the instrument cluster and TCM, but I didn’t want to pull the Cluster and didn’t see any other way to get to those connectors. All the information seems to indicate it’s real easy to break dash trim on the 960.
So I skipped to checking and cleaning ground connections. 31/67 is easy to find, it’s under the seat and I checked the other ground under the opposite seat (not sure it’s ground number). Both of those seemed in good shape, but I disconnected and put a brush and cleaner on them anyways.
And then I checked and cleaned 31/53 which I found thanks to Bill. This ground was pretty dirty and it’s in a location that gets a lot of water and dirt. So I removed and cleaned this one also.
My blinking up arrow and W S E lights are gone and I drove for a couple of days without a problem. Just tonight, I got the Check Engine cleared and still have not seen this problem return.
I find it hard to believe this problem is solved. But it was happening very often before I did this “work.” Maybe the ground cleaning fixed it, or jarring the TCM…
tnkenmcd »
The fix was to replace the Transmission Control Module (TCM). I found one in a self-service salvage yard for $23. I think retail is about $400.
So far the error has not returned after about a week of daily use. Before, when I would reset the code and Check Engine light, the error would return within a day, so I’m confident of the fix.
960 Transmission shift prob, blinking up arrow, code P0500
The Volvo 960
Autumn 1990 saw the launch of the Volvo 960, in time for the 1991 model year. The new Volvo 960 replaced the outgoing Volvo 760, which had been on the market since 1982.
The Volvo 960 was powered by an all-new in-line 6-cylinder engine, with a displacement of 3 litres. It was an advanced power unit featuring an aluminium cylinder block and double overhead camshafts allied to 4 valves per cylinder. This engine represented the first stage in an entirely new generation of in-line engines, which eventually extended into the creation of a new series of 5-cylinder and 4-cylinder Volvo engines.
For the Volvo 960 a number of new safety features was also unveiled, among them a three-point inertia reel seatbelt and an adjustable head restraint for the middle of the rear seat. Further enhancing the new car’s safety profile, an integrated child seat built into the rear seat’s middle armrest could be specified as an optional extra.
These and other safety developments gained the model considerable international accolade, not least among them the “Prince Michael Road Safety Award” and the “Autocar & Motor” prize for the best safety features.
For model year 1995, the Volvo 960 underwent a comprehensive redesign. The front was given a new appearance; the chassis was almost totally new, including a further developed version of the multi-link rear suspension with a transversely mounted leaf spring of composite material. A new 2.5 litre version of the 6-cylinder engine supplemented the previous 3-litre version.
In 1997, the Volvo S90 replaced the 960 Sedan.
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1 Comment
So I have the same problem after I was dicking around with the ac I seen a wire that was Un hooked to some thing that looked like a horn so I plugged it back in . Then started having the problem so I Un hooked it again and it drove fine but the w , e, s, lights all blinked and the check engine light stayed on so I went to auto zone after they checked it the engine light stays on but all the other lights never came back on.