1996 850 Wagon for Sale, transmission? Junk

Nebbie · Post by **Nebbie** » 16 Sep 2014, 12:10

I cannot afford to fix at all. Its in fair to good shape, body looks nice, silver, want to sell to Volvo lover or someone who will fix. I live in New England. (Central Connecticut) It is sitting in transmission shop, was told costs $600 to open it up and look inside to diagnose transmission. It started slipping suddenly and less than five minutes later I have no shifting, engine just revs no matter what gear I am in. I can meet you at the shop with the title, please hurry,

UPDATE: shop owner just called and said problem was due to bad radiator installation by another shop, he said can be fixed, trany okay. However, it keeps failing emissions test and the guy I bought it from did not tell me it was failing emissions tests and I did not know it had failed it more than a year ago before I bought it. So now I want to fix it and sell for 1000? Sell to person in state that does not have emissions test, Please advise, If this is too high or I am wrong just tell me.Thank you

Post by **rmmagow** » 16 Sep 2014, 12:37

Try to post as much info as you can. What part of emissions is it failing, codes being shown for MIL lamp. Need a better explanation of why a bad radiator install screwed up the transmission. What kind of motor does it have, turbo or non-turbo. Price is heavily dependent on condition, mileage, why it fails emissions, etc.

Nebbie · Post by **Nebbie** » 16 Sep 2014, 12:53

It is a five cylinder, non turbo, here are the DTC's: PO135 O2 Sensor Heater Circuit bank 1 Sensor 1, PO130 O2 Sensor Circuit bank 1 Sensor 1, PO302 O2 Cylinder 2 Misfire detected, PO118 Engine Cooolant Temperature Circuit High, Po335 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit. Test type fail OBDII, engine size 2.4

I bought the car not knowing it had already failed and was using up the extensions.

Post by **rmmagow** » 16 Sep 2014, 13:54

These aren't show stopper codes. Sounds like a dead O2 sensor in the front, P0302 may just be a plugs, cap, rotor and wires replacement (tuneup) P0118 maybe a new ECT and thermostat, P0335 could be a loose or corroded wire or maybe a new CPS is needed. I assume you have had the codes cleared a few times so that you know these codes keep coming back. All new parts and a proper install by a VOLVO (not dealer) mechanic, under 700.00 I would think, under 400 if you do it. Use only genuine Volvo for these parts. If you decide to do it, come back and we can list the right parts and sources for them. Volvo Plugs, Bougicord wires, Bosch Cap and rotor and the right O2 sensor for your year and model.

Nebbie · Post by **Nebbie** » 16 Sep 2014, 15:24

Could a person do this if they were somewhat mechanically inclined and carefully watched a video? I have a bunch of tools that used to belong to a volvo mechanic. He rented space in my sisters garage and left behind his entire tool chest in 1987. Never saw him again. We never moved it, (too heavy) just picked at it occasionally for tools for other projects. I know he was a volvo mechanic because he left all his certificates and a bunch of manuals.

Nebbie · Post by **Nebbie** » 22 Sep 2014, 10:45

I got the car home (flat bed) topped off the transmission with fluid and it is running fine! But leaking fluid like crazy. It is missing a little hose and I want to replace it. Been reading and watching videos of repair.

Managed to get my fiancee's car on the road and we are using that. Then I want to repair the rest of it myself. I turned in the plates, cancelled the insurance and move it into the garage. I am really excited about this. I have sold a lot of bs with this car and it would feel great to take care of it myself.

Please advise!

Post by **dosbricks** » 22 Sep 2014, 13:35

You can do these repairs yourself. It may take a couple of tries to chase down all the codes as there can occasionally be underlying issues causing a code. But the actual repairs outlined are very straightforward. Here is a blog for a 1997 non-turbo wagon (same mechanically as yours) with over 100 repairs documented with excellent pictures and write up.
http://volvo850wagon.wordpress.com/

There is also a gentleman by the name of Robert Spinner a.k.a. rspi on this site who has an immense catalog of youtube Volvo repair videos which will pop up if you do a search for your particular problem (click on the "video" tab).

In addition there is the large library available on this site by clicking on the top entry "MAJOR forum topics" at the top of the forum page or use the search feature. Last but not least, just start a new thread and ask about the repair you are working on--someone will advise you. Information is power!

You might end up with a classic wagon that will prove to be dependable for a long time.

Post by **timmybdaddyof3** » 22 Sep 2014, 13:55

Agreed...again, as was stated though, don't cheap out on parts, you can make these cars run on some generic stuff but in the end it WILL bite you.

Get a set of ramps and look under the front end, look for the hoses going from the radiator cooler to the tranny, bet your leak lies somewhere in there...I have seen many of these cars dump fluid because a "radiator shop" installed a new radiator and secured the trans cooler lines with zip ties; best case you get a leak, worst case it pumps all the fluid out and leaves you stranded.

PS - the easiest way to get a front wheel drive car up on ramps is to gently roll up against them, hold the brake and rev it to about 2k and hold, slowly let off the brake and it will crawl right up.....if you just try and drive straight up things can get interesting

Post by **dosbricks** » 22 Sep 2014, 14:12

+1 Good advice from a pro.

Also, fcpeuro.com is your best and most reasonable source for parts and is located right there in Connecticut so probably very quick shipping (I don't work for them but have ordered a lot of stuff from them over the years).

Baptiste1106 · Post by **Baptiste1106** » 22 Sep 2014, 18:22

@ nebbie... check your inbox messages