960 3-2-3 trouble code.

shanebaxter · Post by **shanebaxter** » 08 Dec 2012, 11:03

Good day all, I'm Shane.

I'm a new, 1996 79000miles volvo 960 owner and I need your experienced expert advice.
I've been reading various threads on the pnp malfunction..... My volvo 960 experience got off on the wrong foot

my AT went into limp mode an the oil was greyish black in color smelt burnt too.
Did a transmission diagnostic and got 4 codes:

AT-114 mode selector switch signal, permanent fault signal too high
AT-313 gear selector switch signal, signal faulty
AT-323 gear 3 ratio incorrect ratio AND
AT-232 vehicle speed sensor signal, signal absent..........

I went ahead and changed the pnp switch following the diy posts off here but i don't think its set correctly.
I did not reset these codes as the limp mode is still on.

Can these codes be linked to the pnp switch malfunction? What's up with the 323 code, do I have to replace the tranny?....

much thanks

Post by **billofdurham** » 10 Dec 2012, 12:06

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

Apologies for the delayed reply but I have been away.

What made you decide to replace the PNP switch? If you followed the instructions posted here you should have positioned the PNP switch correctly. However, none of the codes relate to the PNP switch.

AT-114 is a driving mode selector switch code. One possible cause for this code is the E and S buttons have been depressed at the same time and held there for more than 30 seconds. The transmission will only operate in E.

AT-313 is a gear shift position sensor code.

AT-323 can be set by a faulty transmission speed sensor signal; gear shift position sensor incorrectly adjusted or defective; low transmission oil.

AT-232 is a vehicle speed sensor (VSS) problem which can be caused by a fault in the VSS circuit or even in the instrument panel.

However, before throwing any money at the car erase the codes and see if the problems disappear. One of the most likely causes of all the problems is the transmission oil being dirty and burnt. No transmission will respond well to such treatment.

Bill.

shanebaxter · Post by **shanebaxter** » 11 Dec 2012, 17:39

i havent tried clearing the codes yet as i have not yet re positioned the pnp switch..... should i clear the codes first?
the transmission oil was just drained not flushed properly and was topped off with atf+4 fluid... its too full tho
What do i do now? the technicians down here are mostly japanese manufactured vehicle oriented and i was told to
replace or rebuild because of the colour of the oil (black and burnt smelling)... should i be worried about the 323 code, because i am, isnt this the lock up mode for the torque converter? i really wish i dont have to buy a transmission... i really think i held the two buttons down together (in a mild panic)... do i hv to replace that switch too or can it work in E mode safely?
whr is the VSS circuit? how do i rectify?
after replacing the pnp switch the amber arrow is still flashing along with the W,S,E lights is this supposed to happen?

guys sorry for the million questions but WHAT TO DO????

Post by **billofdurham** » 12 Dec 2012, 11:46

If you replaced the PNP switch and fastened it down correctly, unlike on other Volvo models, there is no adjustment.

If you have too much fluid in the gearbox you need to drain the surplus out as too much is as bad as, if not worse than, too little. Also when the fluid is the wrong colour and smells burnt you should do a flush and refill with good, clean fluid.

To find out what more needs to be done, if anything, you need to clear the codes. So long as the codes are in the memory your gearbox will remain in 'limp' mode. Therefore, you risk doing more damage than what may already have been done. The flashing lights are telling you you are in 'limp' mode. You can replace as many parts as you want but so long as the codes remain in memory you will have the flashing lights.

Codes 3-2-1; 3-2-2 and 3-2-3 all relate to incorrect gear ratios the last figure in each code being the gear it refers to. Whenever the box goes into 'limp' mode you lose the lock up function. In this mode the box will operate only in 3rd. gear when you engage 3 or L, in 4th. gear in position D and reverse in position R. If you decide to shift manually you are restricted to those gears.

My advice is to clear the codes ASAP and see what happens. When I had my 960 it went into 'limp' mode on one occasion only. My friendly Volvo tech cleared the codes and it never happened again in the next three years that I kept the car. The next most important task is to sort out the fluid. Get the box flushed and refill to the correct level.

Bill.

shanebaxter · Post by **shanebaxter** » 13 Dec 2012, 09:49

thanks bill im off yo try ur advice..... fingers crossed!!!

shanebaxter · Post by **shanebaxter** » 02 Jan 2013, 10:48

good day all and a Happy New Year....

im sorry for this long overdue update but the season saw me not interested in the 960..... i re-aligned the PNP switch to acceptable range... flushed the ATF fluid with castrol ATF+4 around about 15qts... cleared the trouble code 313 and re diagnosed...THREE times!!! but sure enough the code, tht one code 3-1-3, keeps coming back like a bad dream...*sighs*...

any last trouble shooting anyone???? before i plunge into the rebuilding abyst??
oh and before i continue the car is not even movin out of any gear...

shanebaxter · Post by **shanebaxter** » 02 Jan 2013, 11:03

except for reverse sry

shanebaxter · Post by **shanebaxter** » 06 Jan 2013, 09:53

still no change.... i did the 'refresh' thing, movin the gear lever from park through the gears and back numerous times.... the car refuses to move out of any gear except reverse.....

should i take apart the old pnp switch and clean it up or try cleaning the one thts on the tranny at the moment cuz there is STILL ONLY ONE CODE 313....

URGENT HELP NEEDED!!!!!