my 1996 960 stays in first gear

whitebulldog73 · Post by **whitebulldog73** » 05 Dec 2011, 16:45

Hello all,

My 1996 960 stays in first gear, stays in first gear in L, 3, an D an N, when it shifts to reverse, it stops, an doesnt move in reverse. Could it be the vehicle speed sensor in the rear end, i have a working speedo, or could it be the gear selector switch, located on the transmission? I picked up OBDII reader, there's no reading for the vehicle speed sensor. My question that needs answered is, Is my vehicle speed sensor bad, an should i replace the gear selector switch too?

Any help is great appreciated.

Post by **billofdurham** » 06 Dec 2011, 12:19

I doubt that the speed sensor is defective as the speedo is working. The instrument panel supplies vehicle speed information to the transmission control module.

Did you get any fault codes at all?

Have you checked the transmission fluid level and condition? If the level is low or the fluid is brown in colour and smells of burning that could well be your problem.

Bill.

whitebulldog73 · Post by **whitebulldog73** » 06 Dec 2011, 23:11

thank you for helping, i understand about the speedo, feeding to the panel then to the TCM. What about the shift soleniods? I would have to check the linkage as well.

whitebulldog

Post by **billofdurham** » 07 Dec 2011, 12:03

Have you checked the fluid?

Bill.

whitebulldog73 · Post by **whitebulldog73** » 07 Dec 2011, 18:44

have checked fluid, at running temp fluid is within the marks on the stick. I all got a clothes hanger an made a extension handle onto the tranny stick. i threaded thru the holes on the top of the dipstick, twisted it around the end, at the top made a long loop with the hanger for a handle. Saves time an your arm from getting chewed up forcing it down to check the tranny fluid.

Post by **rgk** » 08 Dec 2011, 21:34

What's wrong with getting your arm chewed up?

Post by **billofdurham** » 09 Dec 2011, 11:47

What about the condition of the fluid - bright red or burnt brown?

Do you have a Check Engine Light on? On some gearbox faults the CEL will light.

Bill.

whitebulldog73 · Post by **whitebulldog73** » 10 Dec 2011, 09:52

I did pick up a code reader, it has freeze frame on it. There were a few codes came up, wrong first gear ratio (whatever that means) number 5 misfire, i cannot remember anymore. Since then I flushed the tranny thru the cooler lines, ( The inlet to the cooler is the lower line coming into the cooler? An the outlet from the cooler is on the top, is that in reverse? Or is that the way volvo made it?) the fluid is clear bright red. But since then the tranny is acting more an more funny, meaning staying in first gear. Before the tranny ran good, i just dont know, thats why im here writing. Today im gonna clean all the terminals that connect to the tranny, i picked up electric cleaner an electric lube, lets see if that helps.

Question: If the PNP switch is working, the backup lights come on. but in every gear selection is first gear, is the PNPswitch bad because its not comunicating to the TCM? At 150 bucks i wanna make sure its the bad part thats keeping the car parked.

any help is greatly appreciated

sincerely
Jon

Post by **billofdurham** » 10 Dec 2011, 12:14

When you read the codes did you then erase them? If you left them in the memory the control units will be working on these things being wrong. Read the codes again and make a note of the actual code. Erase the codes and post them here so we can see what is happening. After erasing the codes try running the car again. Sometimes the codes are set erroneously.

The cooler outlet is on the top.

With regard to the PNP switch its purpose is to ensure the engine can only be started in Park or Neutral. It should not affect the gear selection.

Bill.

whitebulldog73 · Post by **whitebulldog73** » 10 Dec 2011, 15:17

Thank you so much, billofdurham, im at my end on this transmission, was out today tinkering with it. Read codes, only 1, misfire 5 cylinder. Still drives in first gear in L, 3, D, an N, reverse its stops, an in park, it stays put. Now when i turn off the engine, it feels like cutting power when transmission is in gear, it stops pulling. Right now im looking at replacing the tranny. Its a real easy tranny to change, unbolt bellhousing, driveshaft, crossmember, its really simple. Thats the route im taking now, switching out the bad tranny.

Thank you for all your help.