Hey guys, I'm new to the 960 club and I bought one with transmission problems from a family friend for $200. The issue is that it only really goes in reverse. By that I mean, it will shift into all of the gears, but the only gear that gets any power from the engine is reverse. When you have it in drive, it pretty much will go only the speed an idling engine will take it. You can rev the engine, but it doesn't transfer any of the power to the wheels. I've read some of the common issues on these transmissions and it doesn't seem to be the typical one. It doesn't have the blinking up arrow, and the light doesn't cycle through the driving modes (W, S, and E). I thought it might be the fluid, so I drained and filled it with fresh fluid along with a new pan filter and gasket. The fluid looked like used motor oil... so I'm glad I did. It has ~230k miles on it. I do think I can smell gasoline in the engine compartment, and I think I can hear 1 valve or lifter tapping. There is a P0302 code, misfire on cylinder 2 and it starts with no problems.

Anyone have any ideas or places I should start? The guy I bought it from said his volvo mechanic friend looked at it and said it was going to be some $4000 job to fix, and said it was either a sensor or the TCM. Thanks for reading.

 

So, "a sensor or TCM", $4,000? Hm, what's wrong with that picture?
Sorry to be a killjoy but there is no easy solutions to this car's problems. Still, for $200 you didn't get hurt too much.

 

Yeah, I know it's kind of vague, but I was prepared to put in a used transmission on this car, so the fact that there might not be an 'easy solution' is fine. Just looking for some advice, that's all, a place to start.

 

I would think that the tranny is gone. However, you also need to figure out why the motor is misfiring. Could be a burnt valve. So you may need a motor and tranny. If you send it to the crusher, you may get $350 so you'll win.

 

It is perhaps sad, but a 960 is one of the most unloved, unwanted, unappreciated cars in today's US car market--you can have them for a pittance pretty much everywhere. The question is, how much money do you sink in a car that practically has no value? Keeping in mind that you can buy a decent one for under a grand?

Sometimes when you buy a very cheap car needing a ton of work you are not really buying a car, you are buying parts that don't add up to a complete car. You'll need to add a lot of $ and labor to make it into a complete car, and if it's not worth it, you bought a "negative value" vehicle.

 

I will troubleshoot the misfire. The car had been sitting for a while, so there were no codes at first. Another question: on this website it mentions using an LED diagnostic unit in the car to find stored TCM codes. It also says that the unit was located in the engine bay by the left strut tower, but I couldn't seem to find it. Is this only for OBDI cars, or only on certain year 960s? Mine is a 1996 and has the OBDII port by the hand brake.

 

They dropped it after a while, probably when they installed the OBD2.

 

These cars have a history of burnt valves. So, I wouldn't be surprised if that is an issue.

 

OBD 2 starts with all 1996 models sold in the US. Use a scanner for the codes. Take a compression test first to get a picture of what's going on with the motor.

 

PM me if you need any parts for it, I've got one in my local junkyard.

 

If anyone experiences problems with the flashing up arrow on their 960 volvo, I think I have a pretty thorough regimen of what to do. My particular car is a 1992 volvo 960. Which soon after the purchase stated with the flashing up arrow and the flashing E and W on the shifter column.

The number one thing to look at is the PNP swith which is prone to faileure because pof the heat of the engine and the transmission the grease inside tends to dry out. My problem still persisted after replacement of that switch and I replaced to more switches and my problem disappeared. First replace the throttle positioning switch for about $@6 for the part and the the trnasmission rpm sensor switch which has cured the problem and I have not incurred any more flashing lights or check engine lights.

 

I figured out the misfire - it was a leaky injector. I could smell fuel. I replaced all of the O-rings and it is gone. I have also pulled a tranny out from a scrapyard car - only $75 after the core charge (1/2 off for memorial day, woot!). It may take me a while to put it in, but I'll update if the issue is fixed.

 

[QUOTE=Cactuslegs;413092]I figured out the misfire - it was a leaky injector. I could smell fuel. I replaced all of the O-rings and it is gone. I have also pulled a tranny out from a scrapyard car - only $75 after the core charge (1/2 off for memorial day, woot!). It may take me a while to put it in, but I'll update if the issue is fixed.[/QUOTE

Did you solve the transmission problem?