Flashing Arrow on dash

iselloil · Post by **iselloil** » 17 May 2009, 05:30

1999 V70 AWD. Went to leave yesterday and when you put the shifter in the #1 postion the arrow was on and was not flashing.Put the shifter in the #3 postion the arrow was on, not flashing. Drove the car to the shop and the check engine light came on,and the arrow was flashing.Then the transmission started slipping in overdrive,or high gear. I know when I bought the car the owner stated he had a isuue,so this was not a surprise.Any thoughts?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 May 2009, 06:45

How many miles are on your car?
If the fluid has never been changed it's probably dirty or even low- I would immediately take the drain plug out of the transmission and drain what will come out, out...you'll get about 3 1/2 quarts out. Measure it and add the exact same amount of transmission fluid back in through the transmission dip stick tube (you'll need a long funnel). Btw, the aluminum crush washer for your transmission drain plug is the same as your oil pan plug (outside diameter same as a quarter- inside is same as a dime)....then go through all of your gears for a few seconds each and at "P", with engine running pull your dipstick and make sure it's at the correct level. Add more if necessary to get it to the "cold mark." Hopefully this will help. I would check the level again after you've driven the car for over 20 minutes at highway speeds (most accurate way is when it is hot) and with the car running, pull the dipstick and make sure it's up to (but not over) the "hot" side and markings on your dipstick. On a '99, I'm almost 100% sure that you use Dexron III or equivalent (Castrol Dex/Merc is good for you, or you can use Mobil Synthetic ATF). This is if your car's gear shifter goes from "L" up to "P" with the last number showing as "3" before "D" for Drive...then it is a 4 speed auto. If your gear shift shows "4" before "D", then it's a 5 speed and you cannot use Dexron or equivalent and will need Mobil-3309 or the Volvo equivalent of that (much more expensive). Basically what we're trying to do here is to replace bad/dirty fluid with new without doing a full flush as if the stuff in your slushbox is really bad, you don't want to distrub things too much. If all works, drive your car for a couple of weeks and do the procedure again to replace more of the bad- your goal is to get most of the bad out over a period of time and be left with fresh fluid. Ask questions if you need to know specific procedures. Others' opinions may vary.

iselloil · Post by **iselloil** » 17 May 2009, 07:35

160,000 miles on the car. This is the second flush I did.I bought the car,did the drain and flush with 12 quarts of the new mobil 1, Then did the same friday night.Less than 100 miles on the fluid from the first flush.The rear drive shaft is out because the previous owner had the car towed on a dolly.
When I did the flush friday night, is when I noticed the arrow in the #1 and #3 shift selction. I move the shifter back and forth several times,but the arrows did not go away.Drove the car about 50 miles and the flashing arrow appeared and the trnas started slipping in high gear.I had to manualy shift to #1 to get the car going from a stop.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 17 May 2009, 08:09

Is it possible that you put the wrong fluid in the trans? I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that 3309 has friction modifiers in it that Dexron III/VI does not.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 May 2009, 08:47

That is true- in fact, Volvo recommends going ahead and using the #3309 if things start to slip...you can go to #3309 with 4 speed auto's that came with Dexron but you cannot go to Dexron with those that originally had #3309 in them. I would try this but it could be that your transmission is on its way out and there is nothing you can do about it. Do you get any trouble codes otherwise?

iselloil · Post by **iselloil** » 17 May 2009, 17:36

I used the mobil 1 Synthetic,new formula.I'm going to try to get it scanned tomarrow.He told me when i bought the car the # 2 solenoid was throwing a code,but the arrows were not on or flashing.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 May 2009, 18:00

Could be #2 solenoid or it could be the PNP switch- I have a '98...not sure if the '99 has the same part there or not. Try rowing your shifter (foot on brake) from L up to P 20 or so times to see if it cleans the contacts on your PNP and the up arrow disappears. If it works, then you know your PNP is up for replacement soon.

iselloil · Post by **iselloil** » 17 May 2009, 18:04

That worked the day I picked up the car.
The trans only slips in overdrive above 45 mph or when it kicks in.
With the shifter in #3 its fine.

iselloil · Post by **iselloil** » 24 Aug 2009, 05:43

We pulled the codes,and flushed the trans several times. # 2 shift solenoid was bad, but when we drained the trans before a flush we were getting metal from the bottom of the pan.
Ran the car and were getting clunking shifts,and some slipping.
With 160,000 miles on the trans we felt better to replace the trans then end up stranded out of town.I bought a trans thru used car parts.com and found a AW50 with 80,000 miles for $300.00 Installed two weeks ago,did the drain and flush twice and no problems.