850 Transmission saga continues/ blinking arrow

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 07 Sep 2011, 20:42

Just for everyones FYI
Vehicle: The car is a 1994 850.
Background: doing some minor repairs I found chocolate milk colored water in the radiator reservoir, which the guys here quickly deduced it was a problem with the transmission cooler inside the radiator, when I checked the trans fluid it was milk chocolate as well. Warning, if it happens to you, please flush that trans as soon as possible. I have used over 6 gallons of fluid trying to flush the trans, finally today I had red colored fluid and the trans is working/ shifting fine. I still have a final oil change on the trans with quality fluid. This post helped quite a lot https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... f=1&t=8767

I also had to heavily flush the radiator and passages to try get rid of the oil/water mixture, after countless attempts, theres still a bit of oil bubbles once in a while in the radiator canister but not much.

Problem: the blinking arrow lights up after about 300 yards of driving, maybe a bit more, sending the car's trans into a weird clunking mode. I did retrieve the code, port A-1 read 232,(here's how to retreive codes) http://volvospeed.com/CheckEngine.php
which lead to a faulty speed sensor (VSS) v I proceeded to find it, ( if looking into the engine compartment is to the left under
a mount http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c137/ ... 2951d3.jpg, has to be reached from under the car and is a PITA to remove. I disconnected such sensor and went for a drive again. Problem 2- Still the arrow lit up, and although it did some funky things, I was not clunking, nor sending the trans in "limp" mode. ( what could this be????).

We have figured out, by the help of everyone here that it is not the PNP switch ( although I intend on removing the switch for
cleaning and repair if needed) (tutorial in how to do so) https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=29930

This is kind of it on a nutshell, what can I do, or which step to follow thanks to the blinking arrow???

I have decided against using a spare radiator and Im going with an external trans oil cooler.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 07 Sep 2011, 22:35

I just talked to a friend with a 95 855 and he says he got the same code some time back and ended up being the TPS. Is tha possible?

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 08 Sep 2011, 19:26

Need help on this matter please...

Post by **jblackburn** » 08 Sep 2011, 20:46

That code says no signal from the speedometer - nothing to do with the throttle body sensor, but I wouldn't discount it.

I'm not sure of the signal path in a 94, but in a '96 or later it goes from the ABS module, to the instrument cluster, back to the ECU.

As I recall, you have a '95 parts car. Perhaps an instrument cluster and TPS sensor swap would be worth a shot? Early model 850's tend to have some weird issues with instrument clusters where the service light will blink and other weird things start to happen.

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 08 Sep 2011, 21:27

Thanks
So I should try the instrument cluster as well?
I am going to change the VSS first, check for the arrow, then the TPS, check for the arrow..etc.

The VSS might be the actual culprit since my trans was full of water, ??
I have to look at the speedometer when the arrow goes flashing, tell you the truth I have not looked at the speedo while the arrow happens. Talking to a friend mechanic today we kinda troubleshot "asuming" its not the distance, but the speed that sends the trans in wacko mode.

Any other ideas?
Thanks again for the help

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 10 Sep 2011, 18:32

Update:

Removing the VSS from the donor wagon was a piece of cake, I installed it on the car (1994 850 N/A), proceeded to clear the code 232
I left the car in jacks and started it, put it in drive and went for it, I never lost speedometer reading, the trans clunked a bit and went back to the flashing arrow, went back to check the code and again, port A-1 232 reading.
I cleared the code one more and repeated spinning it on the jacks, the arrow, nor clunking has come back (for now) but the ABS light lit up..
I will drive it once more a see what happens..
Which port is ABS?
Any ideas??
Thanks in advance

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 10 Sep 2011, 18:35

Got it, port A3 , sorry but its a pain searching on the phone

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 10 Sep 2011, 19:32

Update 2:

Ran the car again and over 40mph the arrow came back, did a code check and again 232
Did something funky..it speed up to 20 and would not speed down, kinda like a stuck throttle..
On the ABS light, port A3 read as such and in this order 444, 211, 213, 214 ( would some of those reading hace to do with the car being in jacks??)

Next, Im changing the TPS..and rechecking the VSS as the manual says. Tomorrow I will take the car out on the street and see if anything changes

Awaiting for answers, clues...

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 10 Sep 2011, 23:09

jblackburn wrote:That code says no signal from the speedometer - nothing to do with the throttle body sensor, but I wouldn't discount it.

I'm not sure of the signal path in a 94, but in a '96 or later it goes from the ABS module, to the instrument cluster, back to the ECU.

As I recall, you have a '95 parts car. Perhaps an instrument cluster and TPS sensor swap would be worth a shot? Early model 850's tend to have some weird issues with instrument clusters where the service light will blink and other weird things start to happen.

Should I remove the trans ECU, clean and recconect?
Look for specific grounds?

elchopperfreak · Post by **elchopperfreak** » 11 Sep 2011, 21:12

Update:
ABS light is off and no codes, guess it was the car in jackstands

Changed the oil and the TPS the car reacts the same, theres no clunking of gears or heavy shifting, did prob 60 mph on the stretch of road, still, the arrow comes up in the same exact spot, seems like under braking.

There are no ill effects, no limp mode, just the arrow flashing, and still gives me code 232
Why?
next plan is to drive it for a few miles..see what up..

Found a vacuum hose disconnected, sorta aside the TPS and goes into a "filter" shaped object that splits into 2 at the bottom
Theres also a black vacuum hose that seems routed under the front part of the car on the drivers side, that one is disconnected

I know the trans is not 100% but after been full of water, its working well enough
Theres also a very raspy noise in the engine, sounds like its from anyplace near the cams/head, I took a video which Il share soon on a separate post.