Flashing arrow/check engine

volvocare · Post by **volvocare** » 24 Apr 2005, 04:37

I've been driving my car for 1yr 1/2 with a flashing arrow sign and check engine light. I am sick of it and want to finally fix it. The only difference it makes from original is the way it shifts. When cold, the shift from first to second will happen at about 3000 RPM, then it will shift into 3rd almost right away. (no big deal) but I am tired of it.

Curious, did any of you ever run into a similar situation?

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 24 Apr 2005, 07:22

Tell me what year and model the car is and I'll tell you how to fix it.

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 24 Apr 2005, 07:24

You should have the codes read to see what the problem is. If you have an autozone near you they will read the codes for free, and at some locations they will clear them. Sounds like the pnp switch needs to be replaced. Some have had luck ratcheting the gear shift lever a number of times. Disconnecting the battery will also clear many codes.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 29 Apr 2005, 10:15

1996 volvo 850 glt 2.5lt. tks Paul

Post by **tina** » 29 Apr 2005, 15:37

That sounds like the PNP switch - it will gradually get worse over time and start doing that when not cold... it costs about $200 to replace at an indie garage, or do it yourself:

http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/pnpswitch.php

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 May 2005, 13:31

tina wrote:That sounds like the PNP switch - it will gradually get worse over time and start doing that when not cold... it costs about $200 to replace at an indie garage, or do it yourself:

http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/pnpswitch.php

Sounds just like what's happening with my recently purchased V90. The arrow is flashing and the ESW selector lights are flashing too.
The car feels like it is trying to pull away in too high a gear.
Shifting the selector to 3 or L helps

I'll try the ratchet tip mentined on the link first thing tomorrow.

Thanks for the posts

Rgrds

Peter

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 04 May 2005, 14:22

volvocare wrote:I've been driving my car for 1yr 1/2 with a flashing arrow sign and check engine light. I am sick of it and want to finally fix it. The only difference it makes from original is the way it shifts. When cold, the shift from first to second will happen at about 3000 RPM, then it will shift into 3rd almost right away. (no big deal) but I am tired of it.

Curious, did any of you ever run into a similar situation?

Hey volvocare,

You and I could probably sit around and trade horror stories from what I've been reading here. Here's one. I had the problem where you had to depress that little black button on the automatic gearshift console before I could move it out of Park. Miraculously, it just went away one day of course I was forever depressing that button needlessly out of habit (Or else I simply don't remember what I did to get rid of it, pretty sure I never took it in for service/repair for that). '94 850

Anyway, I don't mean to make light of your situation(s) but I'm the kind of person who probably would STILL be driving around with those lights flashing as long as it wasn't affecting driving performance and just dealing with the constant questions from passengers!

You've definately come to the right place for input. This site is great and has been most helpful to me in repairing those things that "just don't go away".

Good luck. I hope the things you try work for you.

ptootill · Post by **ptootill** » 05 May 2005, 16:29

Anonymous wrote:
I'll try the ratchet tip mentioned on the link first thing tomorrow.

That was me - forgot to log in - tut! Must be old age...

The ratchet tip certainly seems to have made the car drive normally! Great!

The light was still flashing for a while and has now stopped but I think the bulb must have gone as it doesn't show when I turn the ignition on. I'm not going to worry about that for the moment, at least...

Thanks for the help

Rgrds

Peter

volvocare · Post by **volvocare** » 08 May 2005, 04:34

The pnp switch was changed not too long ago. The code I came up with was speed sensor??? I changed was "I thaught" was the speed sensor but came to find out the dealer sold me the wrong one...one is the speedometer sensor and the other is to tell the computer when to shift into another gear, Well, I need the second one.

Anyone ever run into having to fix one of these?