Lost all gears. 1996 Volvo 850 GLT **Update**

[Clemens]

I hate to repeat it but:

M56 ... M56 ... M56

[polskamafia mjl]

That what I figured. I was in a similar situation previously and, despite replacing S1 and S2, I couldn't fix the problem long term and ended up having to replace the transmission. I would take a look at those solenoids again. Maybe verify where they came from.

[Jvkeup]

My first thought is to suspect the transmission or torque converter is kaput if you hear a metal on metal noise.
Fret not! These transmissions are not expensive. I sourced one for my current 96 850 turbo 2 years ago for only $300, and that was one with 110k. Update when you hear back from the shop and keep in mind you can always use a blown transmission as an opportunity for a manual swap

Hey! got some word back. The mechanic said he checked out the car today, it turned over and seemed fine, then once the car got up to temperature, the transmission fail again. We are in a middle ground of what to do, but he did source a very low mileage transmission, that he would be able to install for under 2k. Any idea of what would be causing this?

[Clemens]

to most of us - and I am quoting a comment that I read here 8 years ago - an AT is a little black box that makes us wonder. There is alot that can go wrong and most people know very little about how specific ATs work. Not even the stealerships

[abscate]

My first thought is to suspect the transmission or torque converter is kaput if you hear a metal on metal noise.
Fret not! These transmissions are not expensive. I sourced one for my current 96 850 turbo 2 years ago for only $300, and that was one with 110k. Update when you hear back from the shop and keep in mind you can always use a blown transmission as an opportunity for a manual swap

Hey! got some word back. The mechanic said he checked out the car today, it turned over and seemed fine, then once the car got up to temperature, the transmission fail again. We are in a middle ground of what to do, but he did source a very low mileage transmission, that he would be able to install for under 2k. Any idea of what would be causing this?

Limited understanding here, but I think the classic hot failure is solenoids getting Hot and then sticking due to expansion in Thier bores. I think you can replace some of them o;the car, but others are deep inside and need the trans out and disassembly, so most just swap

[MoVolvos]

-
I believe in another post I mentioned in your other posting concerning this transmission that the problem is heat. I have not had a problem with a transmission since 1999 when I discovered that a better quality fluid and/or with the addition of a transmission cooler can prolong a troublesome transmission.

Why pay for something if you can cheaply find out the problem first. As you mentioned that after a flush it was a dream for awhile. Trans flush with a KNOWN quality fluid w/ cooler bypass should carry you for a bit.

I've owned the following vehicles or worked on those of others in terms of a flush with better quality fluid.

88 Mazda 323 owned - Trans flushed twice, once after almost not moving on a hot summer day. After the addition of a transmission cooler after the second flush it was fine.

95 Grand Caravan 3.0 owned - Flushed once a year

89 Camry Wagon owned - around 254K had a bad case of leaking main seal. Sold to mechanic for $500. Flushed once with Valvoline High Mileage (didn't last) before another flush with Swepco and no problem thereafter. Purchase with 175K.

00 Odyssey friend's - Flush, an additional year only as owner decided to be safe and installed new transmission. He drove in hot bumper to bumper over an hour one way each day

01 Odyssey friend's - Flush & Cleaned Solenoid - 1 year then started acting up so owner traded up to an Acura MDX. Regretted after taking a ride in my 03 Odyssey as his 01 was overall in better shape with leather.

03 Odyssey own - 154K when purchased, have flushed and added Trans-cooler. 237K now and still on OE transmission

98 S70 T5 owned - Flushed after purchased and then another a year after feeling slight sluggishness. Decided to do one more and kept the fairly clean 2nd flush fluid for power steering and other vehicles as the first four courts when flushing a dirty transmission.

95 E420 owned - Flushed twice due to rough shifting. Car was totaled.

03 S80 T6 own - Flush and Shift Kit.

[erikv11]

I've never had a transmission go out or needed to work on one (knock on wood), and I've never installed an external cooler or used synthetic fluid. Never owned a new car, always buy them 10 years old or older. Japanese cars and Volvos, a Ford pickup a Dodge Intrepid, I'm counting 12 cars if I didn't miss any. Flush them when you get it, drain and fill with the same cheap trans fluid (except the S60 R, I do spend up for that one), every 30k and just keep driving.

[polskamafia mjl]

Trans failing after its gets hot is exactly what I experienced when I had issues with my solenoids. If your mechanic says he can source a cheap used trans I would go that route assuming he's confident its in good working condition.

[MoVolvos]

I've never had a transmission go out or needed to work on one (knock on wood), and I've never installed an external cooler or used synthetic fluid. Never owned a new car, always buy them 10 years old or older. Japanese cars and Volvos, (SAME BOAT) a Ford pickup a Dodge Intrepid, I'm counting 12 cars if I didn't miss any. Flush them when you get it, drain and fill with the same cheap trans fluid (except the S60 R, I do spend up for that one), every 30k and just keep driving.

I started to do flushes in 99 with a troublesome 88 Mazda 323. The first flush turn out to be a flush flush and it was after the second flush and a cooler that it stabilized. Have not had a transmission go out after that but did save a few for at least a year or more.

Started using Synthetic this year or sometime the end of last due to price and being Multi-grade. Only used Chevron gas or Costco while in CA and never experienced rough running issues or a failed CAT so decided to try the Havoline Fluid (Chevron).

For $100 if can do the work - Trans-Cooler and Flush you could potentially be good for quite awhile. I would definitely check to see what kind of Trans-fluid was used in the previous flushes beside how they do it?

https://www.amazon.com/HAVOLINE-2265364 ... 166&sr=8-1