'94 850 Transmission problems?

wenwillwego · Post by **wenwillwego** » 25 Sep 2008, 17:36

First off, hello everyone.

I recently purchased a '94 850 sedan, sorry I don't know what trim level is. The odometer stopped working at 218k, and I don't know how many miles it has on top of that.
The only repair I've done is replaced the brake pads, and the only thing I can tell for sure it still needs is front rotors.
I'm in the US.
I think that was all of the requested info.

Anyways, after reading through this forum I see that transmission problems seem to be prevalent in the 850's, and I think my car has joined that club. Sometimes when the car is running, after stopping when we start to go again the car starts off in too high of a gear. I've tried putting it into 3rd or "L," but that doesn't seem to help. Transmission fluid is within normal levels.

My experience with work on cars hasn't went beyond oil, air filter, and brake pad changes, so I don't think *I* will be doing a transmission overhaul on my own any time soon.

Basically, I'm wondering if it sounds like my transmission is just shot, or if there will be something to be done for it. Also, what kind of price tag I might be looking at.

Thanks everyone for any advice.

895meztz94 · Post by **895meztz94** » 25 Sep 2008, 18:47

Any indicator lights on in the dash when it happens?

Kinda sounds like you need a new PNP switch and probably could use a trans fluid drain and fill.

Post by **JRL** » 25 Sep 2008, 19:01

Agree on both

wenwillwego · Post by **wenwillwego** » 26 Sep 2008, 09:13

Well, the check engine light has been on since I bought it about four weeks ago now! My old Volvo always had its check engine light on despite running fine as long as I had it, so I didn't think much of that one until these problems cropped up.
When the too high of gear problem started the other day a blinking red arrow came on pointed up. Sorry I forgot to mention that part initially.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Sep 2008, 16:57

Blinking arrow is definitely transmission related...as suggested, do a drain and fill of the fluid (use the right stuff- it's in your owner's manual) and also replace your PNP switch. On these newer Volvo's you really need to know why the CEL (check engine light) is on...ignoring it, depending on the circumstances is synonymous with paying for expensive repairs.

wenwillwego · Post by **wenwillwego** » 07 Oct 2008, 13:05

So, with a trans fluid flush and new pnp switch the little car is certainly in what gear it should be when we go now! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom.

As far as the check engine light, the guy at the shop did give me a list of what codes (yep, plural) were coming on, but after the work they did none of them are for the transmission. The paper with this on it is at home, but I'll be looking into it and posting anything I can't figure out here.

However since the work the gasket between the transmission line and the radiator drips. I don't know if it isn't connected well or if it needs to be replaced, but is this something I can remove and replace without worry of pressure or drainage?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 07 Oct 2008, 15:14

If it is the upper hose, you'll only loose a little bit to replace the "gasket" in the line...actually, I believe it's a rubber o-ring that fits over the hose connection to the radiator. Make sure the metal clamps are secure over the line. If you need to look further to see what these all look like, look up the New Improved Transmission Flush in our repair database section (do a "find" in your browser's "edit" button once you're in the repair database section.