Read my post before replacing PNP switch!

Post by **bronxnativ** » 28 Sep 2010, 17:01

I purchased a 95 850 GLT about 3 weeks ago. As I was pulling away from the old owners house, the flashing yellow came on and I lost 1st and 2nd gear (automatic tranny). Ran into this forum and ALL suggested to replace PNP switch. After calling four different shops in Denver, Volvo Specialist (thieves and I'll tell you why shortly!) was the cheapest ($262.00 parts and labor). I had the switch replaced and about 10 miles later, same flashing yellow and lost 1st and 2nd gear. Took the car back and was told by either a "Brad" or "Brian", to leave the car and they would diagnose. After about three hours, I received a call from them telling me that the CEL code is "shift Solenoid B" issue. Volvo specialist recommended a tranny fluid replacement, saying that 50% of the times, it will resolve the problem. Well, I fell for their BS reason and paid $150.00 for the flush! BTW, I accidentally paid an extra $100.00 for the flush to the owner Mike. I realized I had done so and immediately went back into store. He admitted that I did give him the extra money and returned it to me. DID NOT BOTHER TO MENTION THAT I HAD OVERPAID INITIALLY! JUST KEPT MY MONEY!!! (first incident of dishonesty) Drove away and again, same problem (flashing yellow). Called these thieves back, spoke to Mike the owner, who suggested to replace all tranny solenoids with a quote of $850.00 parts and labor. He then added "Uh, I've only done it once before when I worked at the dealership so I will make no guarantees that this will fix it" (???) UNBELIEVABLE!!!, charge $850.00 and no guarantee??? Anyway, I asked if replacing my entire tranny would be my best bet, he stated "I have a used tranny in my yard I'll sell you for $1700.00, 30 day warranty, plus $800.00 for labor to install". I couldn't believe the audacity of this individual! A used tranny for 1700.00 with ONLY a 30 day warranty??? Needless to say, I walked away from these thieves and I WILL NEVER return.
I ended up purchasing a used tranny from an Auto Recycler for $550.00 with a 2 year warranty. Paid $550.00 for install at an indy tranny shop and all is well!!!
Moral of my story: Get your codes checked before dropping any money. Do not assume its the PNP switch. Also, consider replacing tranny before you get ripped off at one of these shops here in Denver. Shop an Auto recycler, which will be your safest and cheapest bet. The tranny I purchased came from a car with 98,000 miles versus my car at 195,000.

prienzo · Post by **prienzo** » 28 Sep 2010, 20:11

Just went through all of that with my S70.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 28 Sep 2010, 22:10

Or you could read the forum and test your theory and then do the work yourself. Next time you have a problem check here first and look at the symptoms and procedures for testing various components. I'm not going to pay $500 for someone to replace my trans when I know my PNP needs to be cleaned. Total cost: $0.00

Post by **bronxnativ** » 29 Sep 2010, 22:00

PNP switch had nothing to do with my initial problem. Shortly after the geniuses at Volvo Specialist change the tranny fluid, my car was stuck on 2nd gear, prior to the tranny flush, only issue was losing 1st and 2nd gear. I was hesitant to have tranny fluid changed, as I have read numerous post on this forum that recommend otherwise. Many have said that it can make tranny problem worst, well in my case it did! For this reason, I replaced the tranny ,and "cleaning" the PNP switch would have made absolutely no difference.

Total cost for piece of mind: Priceless...

No regrets replacing it and quite happy so far!

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 30 Sep 2010, 11:19

I must be missing something here. Where in your process did you rule out the PNP as the cause of your problems? The fact that it was replaced means nothing unless a genuine Volvo PNP switch was used. Also, before replace anything you should have 'rowed' the shifter back and forth to clean the contacts on the PNP switch. If things got better, which in all likely hood they would have, you would simply need to remove the PNP switch and clean. In addition, did you ever look to see if your reverse lights stopped working or if they worked intermittently? If so, then this also points to the PNP switch. In short. I'm not convinved anybody is sure of what the real problem was.

Also, you are correct in saying that most members here do not suggest having your trans flushed. However, almost everyone here will tell you that doing a series of drain and fills will do wonders for your trans.

Post by **bronxnativ** » 30 Sep 2010, 20:53

Shifter row??? all too familiar and no, it did not fix the problem, also reverse lights were fine (and still are). Hope this clears things up for you.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 01 Oct 2010, 00:52

Not really. I'm just curious as to what the problem was.

kiss4afrog · Post by **kiss4afrog** » 09 Mar 2013, 11:44

Just pulling the whole transmission is a bit harsh. Maybe it was the only way to fix it and yes you seem to have run into extremely poor customer service but this whole web site and http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850-16/ and Volvospeed are here to help people track down their issues.

I'm more interested in seeing someone go through the diagnostics to find out what was wrong with the transmission rather than just pulling it. In a way that's like replacing the engine because you have a miss. It might just be a spark plug or cap or coil starting to fail or it might be a burnt valve. Depending on that burnt valve it may make sense to install a good used engine but if it's something relatively easy and cheap it makes no sense at all.

It doesn't sound like anyone actually tried to test the components to find out what was causing your problem and it's true that sometimes you have to spend some money on diagnostics or a bad part only to find out there is more damage.

IMHO you would have been better served if someone found the problem and either fixed your transmission or could tell you what was wrong and that replacement was a better option than repair.

And yes this is two years old but I was researching PNP and ended up here and just wanted to toss in my two cents for anyone else coming late to the party.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 09 May 2013, 02:53

Well said, kiss4afrog.

Sactown · Post by **Sactown** » 13 Jul 2016, 12:39

As of yesterday, my son's 98 S70 is stuck in Winter Mode. He ran the Code Reader and got a P0705 Code. He did the "Gear Shift Row" and it did not clear it. Re reset it with his Scanner Code Reader, but it come right back, the Winter Mode Orange Arrow on the Dash is on and the Normal/Economy?Winter button lights alternate flashing on the back of the gear whist housing.

I watched some Youtube videos on replacing the PNP Switch. It looks easy.