850 Transmission in Limp Mode

[1800ES]

What was the color of the Trans fluid when you flushed it?

Is this the hose you flushed it from except for the older style clamp?


What did the STUFF on the Magnetic Drain Plug look like?
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The hose in the video is the one we used to flush the transmission. The fluid that came out was a brownish red, but didn't smell burnt. After about 10 quarts it was a nice red color. The drain plug had some very, very fine metallic particles on it (more the consistency of flour rather than larger particles), but not what I'd consider a very heavy build-up.

I have a $5 eBay serial VAG-COM cable that works with VOL-FCR.

Is the VAG-COM cable that you have a USB or serial? I'm hoping you say USB because that's all I see listed on Ebay. I'm tired of waiting for my boyfriend to get off his butt and get the VAG-COM cable squared away. For that price, I'd happily buy a cable and be done with it, but does VOL-FCR offer better diagnostic info than just the standard OBDII codes? I hate the idea of spending close to $200 to buy it just to end up with a really expensive, glorified code reader that's still just going to tell me P0734. I see that is has a button for the transmission, but what does it do? Does it run through individual tests of various components, like the solenoids, speed sensor, etc?

[BigRed]

My cable is serial, DB9 connector. VOL-FCR was able to say there was a TCM fault, but was unable to decode it. I don't recall specifics, it may have given some HEX values beyond the P code, but was only "evaluating" it, so no support to get fault added in to be decoded.

I wouldn't spring for real VAG-COM cable unless you have a VAG car too, which I do (though I want to replace it with another 850).

Sent from my BlackBerry 8530 using Tapatalk

[MoVolvos]

What was the color of the Trans fluid when you flushed it?

Is this the hose you flushed it from except for the older style clamp?


What did the STUFF on the Magnetic Drain Plug look like?
-

The hose in the video is the one we used to flush the transmission. The fluid that came out was a brownish red, but didn't smell burnt. After about 10 quarts it was a nice red color. The drain plug had some very, very fine metallic particles on it (more the consistency of flour rather than larger particles), but not what I'd consider a very heavy build-up.

If you have exhausted everything and the next step is to sell the car or rebuild the transmission try this fluid. Just flush a total of 8 quarts. If it works or improves a great deal you know that your transmission is getting old and nothing else.

The 714 20W
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/sho ... o_pg10.htm

I believe you used this method but just 8 quarts is all you need to do. You can drain and fill in between rather than fill as you flush like this video as it is easier and don't allow the pan to be empty.



Blessings,
BKM
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[1800ES]

I wouldn't spring for real VAG-COM cable unless you have a VAG car too, which I do (though I want to replace it with another 850).

We do have a VW Jetta, so the VAG-COM is definitely something we want to keep.

Someone pointed me in the direction of an inexpensive VOL-FCR cable/software package so that's already been ordered. When it arrives, and when the house is through inspection, hopefully the software will help shed some more light on the problem.

I'm not ready to write the entire transmission off just yet as it shifts beautifully through all the gears before it warms up and throws the code. If the transmission itself was shot, I would expect to have problems at all times. We'll see what VOL-FCR has to say, along with the diagnostic tests in the UK write-up.

My absolute last resort will be to take it to a mechanic, but I trust mechanics even less than I trust the transmission in this car.

[BigRed]

My absolute last resort will be to take it to a mechanic, but I trust mechanics even less than I trust the transmission in this car.

I agree with that, but good luck finding someone that does not just want to replace it.

[MoVolvos]

it does seem like the code only reappears when the engine/transmission have gotten warmed up.

Pick up a quart of Transmission Fluid Additive and if it improves than you know it is the transmission (age/use/abuse) and the standard fluid is no longer capable of motivating it. If that is the case Swepco 714 20W should get it back on the road. Recently friend's Odyssey had same problem ran exceptionally rough after warm up for him the OE Honda fluid did do the trick after complete DYI flush.

Blessings,
BKM
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[IanF]

The fluid was pretty dark when the quart or so drained out during the radiator replacement. So it's possible some sort of friction modifier had been added prior to buying the car.

[MoVolvos]

The fluid was pretty dark when the quart or so drained out during the radiator replacement. So it's possible some sort of friction modifier had been added prior to buying the car.

I am assuming you are "1800ES" also. Black fluid can just mean burnt or ran hot while silvery slurry fluid means excessive wear. That being said you'll need to list what options you have left and sooner or later you may not have a choice but to try a friction modifier and if that helps the likelihood of SWEPCO getting you back on the road is promising!

I had an old 1988 Mazda 323 that basically quit on the freeway (limping without the limp mode). Good thing it was stop and go commute and I was able to nurse it home. SWEPCO and a Hayden Cooler made the thing fly although there was still a very small hint of an abrupt shift when you WOT. The first buyer picked it up seeing how fast it was and I explained to him he needed to use SWEPCO for the Tranny or else it will not move.

Blessings,
BKM

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[1800ES]

It's been a while so I thought I'd post a little update. The problem still persists.

I finally received the VOL-FCR cable/software that I ordered and I was excited to get that set up to see if it would provide any more useful insight into the transmission problem. I got it connected, but the only code it gives me for the transmission is "Unknown DTC 2B". Talk about disappointment. I'm concerned, though, about whether there is either something wrong with my car or something wrong with the software I've got, because the software gives me a communication error when I try to read the Motronic 4.4 codes, which I believe my car has, and the software is supposed to read. It reads everything else... transmission, ABS, SRS, power seat left, instruments, but it won't connect with the Motronics 4.4 (or the power seat right - but that's really not a concern). But that's a discussion for another whole thread!

I did get the car out for another short drive. I've been having problems with the battery since I bought the car. It wasn't the right size to begin with, and it's been going dead after the car sits for a few days. I decided to run over and pick up a new, correct size, Interstate battery, just on the off-hand chance that the old one could be causing some electrical issues affecting proper operation and leading to the codes I keep getting. Yeah, I know it was a long-shot, but it needed a new battery and it's always nice to eliminate a possible (and simple) source of the problem. Almost made it home from the shop with the new battery (a whopping 4 miles round trip) before the transmission light came on and the car went back into limp mode. Sigh...

We put the new battery in, cleared the codes, and took it for another drive. The transmission was already warmed up at this point, so I expected the light to come on immediately. It didn't. But it did return again after just a couple miles of driving, which is pretty much the same thing that happens when I start driving when the car is cold.

I'm torn whether to try replacing the solenoids next to see if that solves the problem, or just taking it to a local European shop and having them dig into it. I'm leaning toward the shop simply because I can't afford to waste any more time this. I keep posting these updates, so that hopefully this thread might help someone else in the future.

[1800ES]

Hmmm... after some digging around in VADIS, it appears my car may have Motronic 4.3, not 4.4.