1996 850GLT Wagon Stalling/Coolant Overflow/CEL + UP ARROW!!

Volvolian · Post by **Volvolian** » 12 Aug 2015, 16:33

Hey hey you Volvo lovers, I have a '96 850GLT Wagon with some new problems to solve. I've owned it about a year, 104,000 on the odometer. I recently started getting the CEL and up arrow and began stalling especially over bumps but strangely also during wide curves in the highway, there is one on the way home from work that really hits it nicely. Any help is appreciated. I bought a scanner and read a code for TPS sensor, which I replaced (Bosch part) and that seemed to help but now the problem has returned. Today I stalled out three times on the way home and barely made it back. Had trouble starting it back up a couple times too, which is new. Any ideas? CEL doesn't stay lit, just pops up right before stalling along with the UP ARROW.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 12 Aug 2015, 20:19

The flashing Up Arrow indicates that the transmission is mad about something and that something will usually trigger the CEL as well. The reverse may be true as well in that a speed sensor or the throttle position sensor sends information to both the Engine and the Transmission controller. Many of the transmission codes can't be read through a typical code reader. I think most of the chain transmission crooks will read the transmission codes for you for free but I wouldn't put much faith in what they tell you. I have never seen a bigger batch of crooks in my life than most of the transmission repair people.

If you have a relationship with a good independent shop they might charge you 15 minutes of labor to read the codes but it would be worth it to get accurate code information. Other than a stuck SL (lockup) solenoid I can't think of a transmission code that would cause the car to stall and then it would only occur when you came to a stop.

...Lee

Post by **tryingbe** » 13 Aug 2015, 06:12

What was the exact code?

TPS is part of a circuit. I had the connector fell out of the injector relay causing the car to stall/non start and code showed up was for TPS. Crimp a new connector in and TPS code never showed itself and car never stalled again.

Post by **rspi** » 13 Aug 2015, 07:42

So what is the situation with coolant overflow?

Post by **abscate** » 13 Aug 2015, 15:20

rspi wrote:So what is the situation with coolant overflow?

That was just thrown in to see if we actually read these threads before replying.

Well done.

Volvolian · Post by **Volvolian** » 14 Aug 2015, 16:51

abscate wrote:
rspi wrote:So what is the situation with coolant overflow?
That was just thrown in to see if we actually read these threads before replying.

Well done.

NO! Haha that was not a test, the coolant IS overflowing, and has acted strangely. Sometimes the car won't take any of it. The other day it gulped the whole reservoir down. Makes me think there may be a clog and maybe the engine is overheating? But that wouldn't explain the UP arrow. AGH! These don't seem related so it could be more than one problem. I should definitely have added that I had a flat tire on this car for a long time, it was sitting almost 6 months. Could this explain anything or add any clues? Thanks. Also the car seems to run better when it's cooler outside. I'm in California so that just means around 65F. I can make it on short trips a few blocks away but I usually have to sneak home with it stalling.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Aug 2015, 19:34

You either leak coolant ( easy to fix...hoses clamps. Heater core. Radiator) or you burn it,,,,in which case msjor engine work is needed