850 1997 Keeps getting stuck in low gear/winter mode

progg · Post by **progg** » 30 Dec 2008, 15:09

The transmission recently went out and was replaced. About a week after the replacement the transmission died again. So now on its third transmission in less than a month my 850 is stuck in low gear/winter mode.

Any suggestions?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 30 Dec 2008, 19:19

Is the up arrow flashing?

My bet is that they replaced the transmission but not the PNP switch.

...Lee

progg · Post by **progg** » 31 Dec 2008, 17:32

yep the up arrow is flashing. will the switch going bad damage the new transmission?

i guess ill go to the volvo dealer tomorrow. i found an online tutorial and it looks like cake to fix.
http://volvospeed.com/Repair/pnpswitch.htm

about how much does a new PNP switch cost?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 Dec 2008, 17:41

It is very tough on the transmission as it is starting off in its limp home mode which is 3rd gear. Don't drive it very much until you fix it or you are buying another new transmission. I think the cost of the part is around $140.00 from FCP Groton, don't replace it with a Scan Tech.

You can try to ratchet the shifter back and forth from low to park a couple of dozen times - quickly - and it may clear the fault. The grease in the switch gets old and hard and that loosens it up a bit.

...Lee

progg · Post by **progg** » 31 Dec 2008, 17:54

Ozark Lee wrote:Don't drive it very much until you fix it or you are buying another new transmission.

god forbid that is the case, how much am i looking at and can that be done at home?

it was a stupid family members car who was afraid to get their hands dirty. so now im trying to salvage an otherwise perfect car.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 31 Dec 2008, 21:10

It's not too bad...there is a write up over on volvospeed. Just click on www.volvospeed.com and then into the repair section and then Bay13. Look around on line at www.fcpgroton.com or eeuroparts.com for the PNP Switch. The write-up here (repair database section) shows you how to adjust it when you put it in without an adjustment tool.
Good luck and let us know how things go.

progg · Post by **progg** » 24 Feb 2009, 07:13

Ok so my neighbor who owns a garage brought home his Launch code reader and checked the PNP switch. He said that the switch is reading fine but that it only stays in the correct gear for a few seconds.

He cleared the code and could shift into the right gear just fine but only for a minute or so after he cleared the code.

Ive made an appointment for thursday with my local transmission shop to get a diagnostic.

Anyone have any suggestions on the problem so that I dont have to pay for a diagnostic?

Post by **JRL** » 24 Feb 2009, 14:36

progg wrote:Ok so my neighbor who owns a garage brought home his Launch code reader and checked the PNP switch. He said that the switch is reading fine but that it only stays in the correct gear for a few seconds.

He cleared the code and could shift into the right gear just fine but only for a minute or so after he cleared the code.

Ive made an appointment for thursday with my local transmission shop to get a diagnostic.

Anyone have any suggestions on the problem so that I dont have to pay for a diagnostic?

It's either the PNP switch or the tranny.
Since it's a "new" tranny, I would go back to whoever put it in!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 Feb 2009, 18:30

Check your transmission fluid too...if it's low, it will do the flashing arrow and erratic shifting- making you think that something is wrong- the CEL will come on but you won't get a code. Ask me how I know- this happened to me today- a week or so after a transmission flush- the line I took off from the radiator to flush the fluid came loose and I lost a total of 3 1/2 quarts of ATF before I got home. I thought it was the PNP switch so I didn't stop- should have. But all is shifting right again after I filled it up again. So, how did the transmission line come loose? I didn't have a plastic zip tie so I used a metal clamp- apparently putting on a clamp like this too tight, deformed the oetiker clamp to the point that it became round and slipped off. Don't use a metal clamp there- only zip tie...lesson learned. Anyway- check your tranny fluid level...it should read barely at the end of the dipstick after the car is warmed up and you put it through each gear for a few seconds...engine still running. If there is nothing on the end of the stick after doing this, add some- Be careful you don't over-fill...only add about 1/2 quart at a time....then go through the gears again and remeasure. Later, after you've run on the highway for 20 or more minutes- measure the level again and add fluid as necessary to get it up to the "hot" level marks.

progg · Post by **progg** » 05 Mar 2009, 09:24

My neighbor took the car to his shop and said that the filter in the transmission is full of crap and that the transmission fluid looks like mud. He flushed the transmission and said that its working better now but still not right.

He said he could see bits of silicone floating in the transmission fluid. From what he has told me the original mechanic who "rebuilt" the transmission is a known crook and probably didnt do much besides replace the filter.

I found a salvaged transmission a few cities over for $100 and its gauranteed to work for 2 months. So I figure I'll give that a shot.

Now I just need to make sure its the right transmission. Are they interchangeable? Is one more reliable than the other?

Just a shot in the dark: Would a manual conversion be ridiculous or cure my problems for life?