850 automatic transmission

Post by **luketrash** » 01 Dec 2006, 23:40

It's funny to see this thread bumped after this long.. It's the same problem I'm having with my 850 in the cold weather.. Last week in the 'mildly cold' weather I got the issue where the car shifts into 3rd with a flashing orange arrow on the dash.

And now that it's very cold 10F the car doesn't want to shift out of 1st gear. I fix the problem by shifting into 3rd and back into drive. I'm sure it's the PNP switch, but I'm too lazy and cheap to put in a new one right now.. I refuse to work on the car when it's this cold outside too.

But I'm ALSO interested in hearing how you all are aligning the PNP switch without the alignment tool.

It's funny how if you own a specific car, the most important thing to do is find a specific message board, because many people have the same exact problems. Can you imagine taking your car into AAMCO or even your local Euro mechanic? They'd both probably tell you that you needed a new transmission.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Dec 2006, 10:34

Bay13 says that putting the new one in the exact same position as the old one that was taken out, and even scoring the nuts (outch!... but maybe take some close up pictures so you get things right) so that they are turned the same amount may help you avoid having to use an alignment tool. May be worth a shot: http://volvospeed.com/Repair/pnpswitch.php

I often wonder though that some people may be changing out their PnP switches when they aren't really shot...maybe it needs a bit of cleaning and/or maybe has gotten pushed out of alignment somehow....don't know. I often hear of folks changing out their old one for a new one and still having the same issue, so if you can get your hands on an alignment tool (maybe borrow one from the dealer if you've made friends with them...take them some donuts occassionally....it does wonders), then you're better off.

Post by **robert213** » 02 Dec 2006, 10:45

850Gas wrote:What is bay13? I am going to replace my PNP switch! My car is doing all of this type of stuff!

http://www.volvospeed.com/repairs.shtml
http://www.volvospeed.com/maintenance.shtml
http://volvospeed.com/maintenance1.shtml#Transmission
http://volvospeed.com/Repair/pnpswitch.php
http://volvospeed.com/Repair/pnpswitch2.php

Post by **luketrash** » 02 Dec 2006, 13:01

I'm going to guess that in most cases, the switch is working, but just needs cleaned. It's amazing what cold weather does to vehicles... My rear hatch won't shut properly on my Beetle when the temperature dips below 10F, my truck starts leaking antifreeze out of the water pump bolts, and my volvo 850 starts having goofy transmission issues.

Then when it warms, up, everything magically fixes itself.

My 960 is my best cold blooded car I guess

Things like the TPS, struts, and this PNP all call for 'scoring' things to mark them. I find it to be -close- at best. I wonder if you can buy the tool anywhere for a reasonable amount of money. I've seen a photo and it doesn't look that complex.

Post by **srnkanator** » 07 Dec 2006, 08:16

I've got the same problem, when it gets cold outside car refuses to shift from 1st to 2nd, can't find the right gear, and then I get the check engine flashing arrow (this has happend like three times). I had the code pulled and it now says incorrect gear ratio. Mechnics don't think it is the PNP switch but what else could it be? There are absolutely no problems with the tranny except this. I did the old "ram the shifter from P to L about 15-20 times" in hope of cleaning the contacts a bit. It is now working fine (but I am still letting it warm-up on cold mornings) any thoughts?

Post by **JRL** » 07 Dec 2006, 14:30

srnkanator wrote:I've got the same problem, when it gets cold outside car refuses to shift from 1st to 2nd, can't find the right gear, and then I get the check engine flashing arrow (this has happend like three times). I had the code pulled and it now says incorrect gear ratio. Mechnics don't think it is the PNP switch but what else could it be? There are absolutely no problems with the tranny except this. I did the old "ram the shifter from P to L about 15-20 times" in hope of cleaning the contacts a bit. It is now working fine (but I am still letting it warm-up on cold mornings) any thoughts?

That IS a bad PNP switch

Black Bear · Post by **Black Bear** » 07 Dec 2006, 19:46

How difficult is it to change the S2 solenoid?[/quote]

volvo virgin jinx · Post by **volvo virgin jinx** » 07 Mar 2007, 19:41

Well, it's that wonderful time of year where the temp is 3F and my car has stopped moving............ I knew I had a pnp prob for a while now, did the shift ram thing, flashing arrow went away. Today, a new day. Haven't driven it in a month or two, just started it up. Coming home, guess what? PnP prob shows its ugly head, in a very bad way. Now I'm stuck in traffic with the short bus honking at me, and I'm losing everything in the way of tranny ability. And, even worse than the dreaded flashing arrow(it was present too), I smell that wonderful smell of burning tranny fluid. I know that smell too well (trannys on 89' Maxima, 91' Jimmy 4x4 4dr went). Nothing is happening period as far as motion goes, and I'm pulling codes 323 and 232(which is nothing, but though I'd mention it anyways). My high hope is that a new pnp will fix the prob, I'm hoping that the worse has not come. Great car, weird probs, easy fixes, expensive parts.

Go figure. Am I stuck or what?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 07 Mar 2007, 20:09

Keep in mind that I have a stick and I have never worked on a Volvo automatic. But:

Code 2-3-2 - Missing speedometer signal. Does your speedometer work on the dash? If not the transmission has no idea what to do if it does not know the speed of the car.

Code 323 - Slipping lock up. That is more ominous. What is your transmission fluid level and what is its condition (i.e. smell). If it is low fill it immediately and then plan to flush it since you mentioned the burning fluid smell. Folks around here report amazing results after a flush.

You are likely looking at a lock up solenoid or a torque converter but if you go to the stealership or one of the Midas types they will want to sell you a new / rebuild transmission for $$$$.$$.

Once again, keep in mind that I have no Volvo auto transmission experience but, sadly, I doubt that a PNP will solve your problems.

Best of luck,

...Lee

dripcandles · Post by **dripcandles** » 10 Mar 2007, 07:14

I had a code 2-3-2, the missing speedometer signal on a 94 850 with 212kmi I had some years ago. I went ahead and changed out the speedometer cluster only to find the same problem was still present. My problem was like alot of you mentioned. I got the up arrow and limp mode(3rd gear starts). Also I think I remember the speedometer dropping to 0 and not moving. It turned out to be a sensor on the tranny's housing. I cant remember what is was called but I think it was a speed sensor. It was fairly easy to replace, and if I remember it was about $75.