1994 850 Turbo Limp Mode

[jacobharding]

Is there any way to definitively tell what the cause of being stuck in 3rd gear is? The car was purchased this way so I do not know what the events were leading up to it being in limp mode. What is the actual damage internally if it is not being caused by a bad or misaligned PNP switch or solenoids? I have replaced the PNP and all 3 solenoids with known good ones. The car performed no differently afterwards. I am pretty certain the transmission is going to need replacing but I just want to be certain I have exhausted all avenues of approach when it comes to diagnosing the exact cause before I start pulling a motor up or dropping a subframe down... .
One piece of information that may be of importance is that the few times that I have taken the car out of the driveway it shifts just fine for about a half mile or so and then locks into third gear. Perhaps that is a clue to some of you transmission guys. Seems to me that would rule out the PNP being the culprit. When I replaced the solenoids I also drained the T-fluid and it was very brown...another reason for me to suspect internal damage. I understand some basic principles when it comes to Automatic transmissions but I am basically unexperienced repairing or diagnosing them otherwise.
As always any help is appreciated.
Thanks
-Jacob

[Ozark Lee]

It may or may not be a big deal and it sounds like you are at least mentally prepared for the worst case scenario. That said, some further investigation is in order.

First, the really simple stuff. Is your orange up arrow light illuminated and, if so does it flash?

If the up arrow light is on, but not flashing, it indicates that the car perceives that the winter mode button has been selected. since the button is strategically located directly below the cup holder (if your '94 is so equipped) it begs to have beverages spilled into and it could simply be a bad switch. Sometimes pushing the W switch on and off a couple of dozen times can clean up the contacts and make it behave normally again. If that fails then you might simply need to replace the switch.

If the arrow is flashing that is an indication that the transmission control unit is angry about something. Again, it could be a big deal or not a big deal. What you need to do is read the flash codes from port A-1 and post the 3 digit flash sequences back in this post.

If you have not used the on board diagnostics on your car there is diagnostic unit under the hood, next to the washer fluid filler, that has two sides - A and B.

There is a wire with a bullet connector that is stored on the A side cover and, under that cover, there is a push button with a LED next to it. It looks like this:

You will need a pen or pencil and a notepad to write down the flash sequences but plug the test lead into port #1 on the A side of the boxes and press the button.

The picture shows the flywire in port 2, for the transmission we need codes from port 1.

After the button is pressed the transmission computer will initiate a sequence of LED flashes. The flashes vary in cadence between the segments of each three digit code. For example a code 2-3-2 would look like Flash...Flash.........Flash...Flash...Flash.........Flash...Flash. There will also be a longer pause between each of the three digit codes that are stored.

Read and jot down all of the code numbers that come from port A-1 and then post them back.

...Lee

[Snapc0713]

A-1 Port codes:
313, 124, 232
Speedometer is not working
Red flashing arrow + check engine light- on
Shifting hard (is a manual glt 1994 850)

Possibly the speed sensor is out?

I’ve read a lot of forms. I’m freaking out. Because I’ve read (too many) forums, I am trying to remain neutral until I have a better idea of what the issue is. Just bought the new to me car. Can’t go without it right now. No one at the auto shops here even know what a “transaxle” is. New to a Volvo 100%. Thank you in advance for helping me.

[Clemens]

Why do you have a flashing arrow with a manual car? Was it converted to manual? a factory manual in 94 had no TCM, so there wouldn't be an arrow.

If random lights appear, it could be a bad battery (even if it starts the car) or the electric part of the ignition switch.

[Snapc0713]

I’m sorry. I was so upset I accidentally wrote “manual” when I meant automatic. Stupid mistake. I’m having a rough go at it life and car.