(NOT THROWING ANY CELs)

THE PROBLEM IS THIS: INTERMITTENTLY, the car will start from a dead stop in what feels like 2nd gear (might be 3rd, what do I know) and every once in a while the OD does not engage. Mechanically, everything seems to be fine - no slipping, *ever*, and when it works, the shifting is smooth as cream.

Also, I get the flashing arrow (in the cluster) and the WSE buttons flash when I get the problem -NOTE- sometimes I get the flashing, and everything is fine, and sometimes it acts wonky and no lights come on.

My guess is I'm getting stuck in Winter mode, because when its working properly and I try the different modes, W feels like when I have the "problem".

Dealer said trans solenoid, but sometimes my spedo drops to the post when I'm doing 70, or sometimes doesn't come on until I'm driving for 10 minutes. This might all be wiring issues, and my (non-professional) guestimate is that it's an electrical issue, but I simply don't know where to look. (and why didn't haynes ever make a manual for this car?!!?)

So, my first order of business is to find out where the trans dipstick is 'supposed' to go - just found out I don't have one... Then I get one, hoping I just need to top off! (though this would not explain my spedo problem... guess they could be unrelated :-/ )

Thanks in advance for any tips!!!
(ask for further info if needed! I want to resolve this for less than the value of the car -_-', i.e. keep it away from the dealer...)

 

Have you had this car long such that you know the history? You might try pm'ing this member after reading his thread. https://volvoforums.com/forum/showth...t=transmission

 

Only had the car a year so far, and it was (before me) purchased at police impound auction, so no. No history at all heh... But the price was right!

I'll take a look at that (I searched here, but didn't find it... Google and everything.) and see if it's helpful - I'll report back after reading to see if it's similar problem.

THANKS FOR RESPONDING!

 

k just read that post, and it's useful information, but my torque lock is not a problem at all, and my trans isn't searching through gears, it shifts fine - just starts out in the wrong gear (like it's stuck in Winter mode all the time)

And my issue with this (and the ESW buttons flashing) along with the spedo dropping out, and ALL of it being intermittent, I think it's infinitely more likely a wiring harness somewhere or some electrical issue like that, as opposed to a bad sensor (unless they are not related and coincidentally started at the same time..........)

So at least I ruled out the trans fluid temp sensor! (I think...)

 

It most likely is the PNP switch, it is a gear position sensor, and also control the neutral safety switch and the reverse lights.

This is very very common, and seems to be worse once the weather turns cooler.

The grease inside the switch gets cooked hard by the exhaust down pipe.
For a quick short lived fix, place key in ignition, engine off, turn to release gear shift, foot on brake, row the gear selector back and forth, about 20 times. Try and see if that does the trick, you want to remedy this asap, as you are correct, the trans is starting out in 3rd gear, not good for the long term.

Eventually the PNP switch will not allow the engine to crank over, as it will not sense park and not allow the engine to start.


DanR '964 356,000 miles (122,000 on the new engine)

 

I'll do that and see if it does anything - I've never had the reverse lights fail, ever, and the car has always engaged in park (although it rests on the trans bc my hand brake needs adjusting -_-'). Also never had a problem starting (except when my 2 year old left all the interior lights on and the battery died overnight...)

Row back and forth a huge bunch of times (I'll do it like 42, you know, for good luck) and see if i notice any change at all.

ALSO: do these cars have lsd at all or just torque converter? (or is that the same?) I ask because when the road is wet, or on gravel or dirt my rear slides out all the time - like ALL the time (and I know how to drive in bad weather, and I know how to drive rwd cars..... my tires are fine, so idk maybe I'm just not used to the weight...)

 

LSD and the torque converter are totally different. An LSD would be in the rear end, torque converter is in the trans.
LSD would cause the wheels to both "lock" and spin equally. Think of doing a burn out and only one wheel spinning, that is NOT an LSD or Posi, if both wheels spin then it's an LSD. To me in rain, it doesn't seem to matter. My BMW with an "open diff" will slide just as easy as my other BMW with an LSD.

 

...so it's just the 3/4 ton of steel that's cramping my style? blech. Who in Sweden wants a car that handles like this?!? (lol)

Now that you mention, I know that I knew that the lsd is at the drive axle and not in the trans. I feel like a goof now - but I guess I've been reading up too much on my (soon to be new to me) new subaru, and the viscous central torque converter and lsds that not only move traction left and right, but also forward and back with the awd (I'm looking at 2.5rs or wrx sedans). If my rear end on an awd suby was going out I'd be more concerned - guess a luxury car isn't built to handle like a rally car ;-) I can live with that!

 

Tried the PNP bandaid fix, but it was a no go. Didn't have the light for 3 days, then shifted back and forth like 20 times, then 5 minutes later the light came on - probably coincidence (I hope).

Anyway, it was fine today, as the sun has been out and its a black car so it was warm... maybe that helped? idk. Guess I still need to check the trans fluid - is that my next step?

 

Do you guys think I should assume that the trans problem and the spedo problem are related? How could I test this theory? (and rule out bad trans components?)

 

I'm having a similar problem where my speedo drops to zero along with the transmission. It feels like someone just put the car in neutral. Once the speedo starts back up, everything is fine.

I called my Volvo mechanic. He said that he's seen this before and it is most likely the ignition switch. He admitted that it sounds weird, but the fix works.

Let us know if you figure it out.

 

when my spedo drops out, the rest of the car functions normally (including tach) so I'm thinking it's some wiring somewhere...

Now that I think of it, the transmission should be controlled relative to speed, right? (amongst other things perhaps) so this could be a though in the right direction for diagnosing the problem...

Anyone have any ideas about this?

 

So I have not pursued this issue for quite some time now, but my wife just bought her own car, so I'm looking to finally care for my Volvo.

Just found out I've been running very low on oil for some time (producing a valve tap that sounded like a diesel truck engine) - bottle of GunK and flush and hi-mi oil and it seems quiet enough.

Still have the arrow in the instrument panel light up now and then, though... doesn't *feel* as bad, but I know something goofy is going on...

Anyone ever use the onboard self diagnostic LED computer machine? little box with a wire and 6 holes? I read the first one gives error codes, but I couldn't get the box to work... (didn't try very hard, in it's defence)

If I have a bad PNP or solenoid 1 or 2 or somesuch sensor, would it show up in the LED patterns?

I'm hoping that I can at least know what's broken, even if I don't know how to fix it!! (codes still store even after the error light goes away for intermittent problems, yes?)

THANKS AGAIN!!