Transmission Arrow Dull and Flickering, no pattern, not flashing, no transmission symptoms

rasense · Post by **rasense** » 12 Sep 2018, 17:22

Hi All,

1998 V70R 186K miles

My transmission arrow has some bizarre behavior. It flickers, is dull and only comes on (but never fully on, and always dull) after the car has warmed up. I have replaced the Mode Selector Switch (SEW), but not the PNP switch, as it doesn't exhibit any PNP failure symptoms. In fact, it doesn't have any transmission symptoms--shifts normally. When pressing the "W" for Winter Mode, the arrow lights up to full strength. When "W" is turned off, it goes back to flickering (not flashing as with tranny failure) and fading in and out with no apparent pattern except for being more obvious and consistent when I am on the gas pedal. It seems to not happen when I put the car on cruise control, or maybe it is just really dull so that I can't see it. In all reality, it is just annoying.

I have taken it to my local indy and they found nothing wrong and no transmission codes either. I'm guessing that it is a bad ground somewhere, and that is what the indy chalked it up to, but want to look for anyone who has had something similar before I go about testing wiring (which I probably won't do anyway).

Thoughts!?!? Thanks in Advance

DrewsT5 · Post by **DrewsT5** » 13 Sep 2018, 17:46

I have the same thing on my 855. Always have had it since I bought it from the PO. Never could figure it out. I came to the same conclusion too - that it is a bad ground somewhere. My dash is loose and the arrow light flickers when going over bumps. I demonstrate that here...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ChfrV8K6y596cVP49

Post by **scot850** » 13 Sep 2018, 19:31

The dash boards on these cars break their mounts over time and the whole assembly can move. If the speedo is moving as per the attachment above it may have been damaged by someone not installing it correctly or one of the connectors on the back is not fitted correctly.

I would suggest removing the dash top and look at the speedo housing, removing it if needed to check it and the circuit board for damage or broken track.

Neil.

rasense · Post by **rasense** » 13 Sep 2018, 19:48

Thanks, guys. Besides the annoyance, I suppose I can rest easy with it since it seems you have at least a similar problem with no negative results. Mine isn’t quite as affected by bumps as yours is @DrewsT5, as it is on a lot of the time, and does not come on full strength like yours seems to, but guessing it has a same or similar cause. Maybe someday I’ll be inspired to take the dash apart. Thanks again.