Worth Keeping 850 T5 ; transmission issues:{

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 10 Jul 2018, 17:01

I would back up and do a bit more diagnostic work. You indicated that you replaced the "shift selector module". I assume that you are referring to the PNP switch. If the PNP is not working properly or is out of adjustment that might explain the fact that you have no codes. I would be inclined to build a flash code reader and do more interrogation. There are also some service mode triggers that can be done via OBD-I to test the solenoids. Some OBD-II readers don't really do a very good job with the Volvo transmission and only post codes when the TCU post the fault back to the ECU.

Download the manual and go through some of the diagnostic procedures that are in the Automatic Transmission section:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/downlo ... vo_850.zip

Some of those tests refer to a breakout box but you can get to the same signals directly from the connectors. It takes a bit of work with the schematics to figure out which wire to test but it is all there.

I check the fluid level with the car hot, idling in park, on a level surface. Check both sides of the dipstick since you can get a false reading on one side.

If the transmission is truly bad it is decision time and I guess it comes down to how well you like the car. My daughter's S70 blew the transmission but she was tired of it anyway so it went to the scrap yard. If you do buy a replacement transmission be sure it is from a turbo. The ratios are different between the turbo and the NA.

...Lee

coodoo99 · Post by **coodoo99** » 10 Jul 2018, 19:42

LOL...I'm working with a local Volvo shop and they found a good transmission with a 1 YR warranty. The total install would be 2300 with the tranny costing 800.

I'm leaning in that direction, I'm worried that if I try to change my tranny I'm mess something up. I just got done with the Rack and Pinon swap.

How hard was the manual tranny swap? I was thinking about going that route? I don't have room to pull the engine out and I watched that Robert Video on Youtube about his manual tranny swap.

How hard would it be to swap the tranny myself? I know is comes out the left wheel well and the sub frame needs to be dropped.

Post by **scot850** » 10 Jul 2018, 23:01

You could also try Chapman Motors Inc on Vancouver Island. Not had a bad part yet from them.

There is also vandsautodismantlers in Sacramento, CA.

As these cars are so hard to diagnose (96-98) in this case why not take it to a Volvo dealer and have the codes read? At least you would have a better idea of what may be the issue, we may be able to give better advice also. Hard to get there without the correct info. It could be something really basic as Lee suggests.

Neil.

coodoo99 · Post by **coodoo99** » 11 Jul 2018, 07:39

I have the car at Larry's Volvo shop in Beacon Hill. They have some code reader that they use for transmissions prior to 1998. I was told they have the same diagnosis capability as a standard Volvo shop. Larry's a fair shop and I trust this shop and use them when I need that type of help.

Post by **erikv11** » 11 Jul 2018, 07:49

Manual tranny swap: pretty tricky because you are installing many moving pars that weren't there before, however it is all documented pretty well on the internet if you need to read up beforehand and carefully gather together all the needed parts.

Automatic tranny swap: easiest out the top. Pull the engine and trans together, separate them, put them back together, put them back in. Not very tricky because you just take things out as opposed to taking things apart, but you need space for a hiost and have to be careful/safe moving the heavy objects.

A big danger in doing the auto trans swap yourself is the steering rack will be right there staring you in the face and sooooooo easy to get at, you will kick yourself for doing it earlier!

Post by **abscate** » 11 Jul 2018, 08:06

$800 seems pricy for a used transmission. The warranty isn’t worth anything as the shipping and labor costs swamp the material cost.

They sell for $4/500 here

sventastic · Post by **sventastic** » 11 Jul 2018, 11:22

I have mine for sale for $250CAD/$200USD... I had zero issues with it in my car, just no space to keep it around so I don't mind selling it cheap

Manual swap took me about 60-70 man hours, in case you're considering that route!

Ozark Lee wrote: ↑10 Jul 2018, 17:01 If you do buy a replacement transmission be sure it is from a turbo. The ratios are different between the turbo and the NA.

...Lee

The car would actually be a fair bit quicker with the more aggressive final drive of the N/A auto transmission. The turbo auto trans ratios are stupidly long, not letting the car into boost til nearly 40km/h. At highway speeds the N/A only sits 200rpm higher in 4th gear

Worth Keeping 850 T5 ; transmission issues:{

Re: Worth Keeping 850 T5 ; transmission issues:{