50-42LE transission problems and which transmissions are interchangeble 93 850 GLE

KptnChaos · Post by **KptnChaos** » 25 Sep 2025, 09:18

Hello,

I have problems with the automatic transmission in my 93 850 GLE. I bought the car as non running with a defect engine and had no possibility to testdrive it. Now the Engine and the rest of the car are back to near perfect working status but the transmission is only getting torque to the wheels in reverse. Driving in D is like driving a manaul with a grinding clutch. You get no real torque to the wheels.

Has someone an idea what the problem is and how it can be solved? The fluid is the correct one, its new and the right level.

Does anyone know whether the different transmissions are interchangeble? I have the 1208 573 and here in Germany there is not a single used one available.
Or is any other transmission possible as long as its from the same horsepower and with the TCM from the car its out of?

You just dont find any information about these things in the internet. Even the parts manual from Volvo ends with the solenoids. Not a singe info about the internal parts of the tranny.

Many thanks
Martin

Post by **misha** » 25 Sep 2025, 10:20

As far as i know they are all the same,except for speed sensor for speedometer which is on transmission for '91-'95.
Later cars transmissions ('96 & '97) don't have that speed sensor and signal for speedo is going from abs/tracs module.

aeg · Post by **aeg** » 25 Sep 2025, 14:48

Final drive ratio is different for some transmissions. There is a table on pages 197-199 of the Pocket Data Booklet, TP-0302207. I guess it will make a difference in driving characteristics of the car. For '92-'95 B5254S engine, the following transmissions all have a final drive ratio of 2.74:1 and torque converter ratio of 2.0:1: 12 08 561, 12 08 573, 12 08 776. I don't know anything about interchangeability.

KptnChaos · Post by **KptnChaos** » 27 Sep 2025, 00:31

Thanks for the infos.

I just gave it a testdrive and the gearschanges works, but the slip stays. I geuess some of the internal components of the tranny are toast.
Does anyone have a clue what can be broken?

The only chance I see is either getting it repaired or try a different used one and hope that it will work
Shit. This is the 3rd time the engine will have to come out. This car revueses to get back on the raod.

Have a nice weekend