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850 transmission with battery dying

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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upstate NY
Posts: 42
Joined: 4 November 2010
Year and Model: 95 850 GLT wagon
Location: Utica, N.Y.

850 transmission with battery dying

Post by upstate NY »

I went to start my 95 850 wagon, battery was dead so I jump started it. I put it in drive and the acceleration was sluggish only going a few feet. I then put it in reverse and it felt like the transmission or axel slipped, producing a jerking back up. I know I need a new battery because the car won't even idle for longer than a few minutes without the jumper cables still connected. Here is my Q. Can loss of Battery power or a bad battery affect the Transmission in the above stated problem I have???
95 850 GLT Wagon 170,000, Mobil-1
94 850 GLT sedan 215,000
86 740 GLE wagon 140,000
Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ.

jblackburn
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Year and Model: 1998 S70 T5
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Post by jblackburn »

It could cause the transmission solenoids to not activate correctly, yes. Many parts of these cars are extremely sensitive to having the correct voltage.
'98 S70 T5
2016 Chevy Cruze Premier


A learning experience is one of those things that says, "You know that thing you just did? Don't do that."

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motovovo
Posts: 9
Joined: 21 December 2010
Year and Model: 2001 Volvo V70 Base
Location: S.E. Wisconsin

Post by motovovo »

I had a similar experience with a faulty alternator, cars act weird when they don't get what they want...electrically.
My pessimism extends to the point of even suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists. ...

GlennKorec
Posts: 39
Joined: 23 December 2010
Year and Model: 2004 V70R
Location: Syracuse NY USA

Post by GlennKorec »

Recenlty had a similar problem on my car. My neighbor who is a non Volvo tech said low voltage (less than 9-10) volts can cause all sorts of problems with the electronics. Some basic troubleshooting, the battery was not taking a charge. After the battery replacement, all is now normal.
Glenn Korec
Syracuse NY2005 S40 T-5 Auto Triple Black (Wife's)
2004 V70R Black with Nordkap Interior
Former Cars:
98 S70 FWD non turbo silver
99 V70 FWD non turbo (moondust ??)(wife's)

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

+1

Low battery voltage causes the TCU to make some really bad decisions. I had an alternator go out on me on the way to the cabin in my Suburban and it got so bad that I thought it was going to shift into reverse by itself on the highway.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

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