'93 850 GLT A/trans. shift issues...

baas9 · Post by **baas9** » 18 Jan 2005, 12:36

I just bought a '93 850 GLT with 88k and I really like it a lot. It is my first Volvo and I really enjoy the ride quality and how it is built. However, I just got it about one week ago and I have noticed the engine seems to be "slipping". I'm not sure if it is a transmission problem or what. I have noticed that the gear slipage seems to be more apparent while in "ECON Mode", but I have noticed it in "Sport Mode" also.

I have perused through many posts looking for some possible answers, but havent really seen something that fits my problem. I have thought that it could be related to the PNP switch, but I have not had any major problems with the car not shifting. The problem is that it is shifting at irregular intervals. When I am accelerating the car will hesitate and then it seems like it can't make up its mind about what gear to be in.

This is not a serious problem yet, but I would like to catch it before it becomes to serious/costly.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks...

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Jan 2005, 13:44

How's the trans fluid level?
How's the color?
How's the smell?
Flushed recently/ever?

baas9 · Post by **baas9** » 19 Jan 2005, 10:58

The levels are all fine. I haven't checked the color or smell yet.

I just took the car back to the dealer and worked out a deal for them to take a look at it. I'll update when I find out what the problem is.

Thanks...

steve · Post by **steve** » 20 Jan 2005, 20:07

Flush and replace the fluid regularly. I bought mine new and it started doing exactly what you describe when it reached around 70 to 80K miles. I started replacing the transmission fluid every enging oil change at first for a couple of changes, then at every other oil change now. The problem went away and has not returned to date. It takes about Four quarts of Trans fluid to do a drain and refill. It's worth the cost.

Good luck.

Post by **matthew1** » 20 Jan 2005, 21:36

Volvo engineers/owners manual said never to change the trans fluid in 850s

.

Dealers still follow this advice.

steve · Post by **steve** » 21 Jan 2005, 18:36

Brown Volvo in Charlottesville, Virginia has advised me that if I did not want the tansmission to fail prematurely, that regular trans oil changes are needed regardless of what the owners manual said. Go figure.......