I have a 1997 volvo 960. The problem is that the car will not come out of winter mode.The car drives fine, it just takes off in second gear, which is winter mode. The lightsneareach button (w,s,e) blink back and forth.I have replaced the transmission computer, checked the transmision itself. The dealer told me to change the neutral safety switch on the transmission. I bought the switch but still remain with the same problem. Now my mechanic tells me to change the neutral switch by the shift **** inside the vehicle. Please help with suggestions on how to fix this problem. <IMG onclick="AddSmileyIcon'smileys/smiley2.gif'" alt=Wink src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0"><edited><editID>prepg</editID><editDate>38182.9917013889</editDate></edited>

 

You may have an internal leak in the radiator which is causing normal coolant to mix with the transmission fluid in the gearbox oil cooler pipes. The normal coolant then travels around the gearbox causing it to overheat this in turn will indicate there is a fault which sends the transmission into emergency mode i.e the economy and winter mode lights flashing alternately. The car then pulls away in third gear to stop you over revving the gearbox. Check the bottom of the Radiator for signs of corrosion or the transmission fluid for water content.

Regards Darren {England}

 

Help, have a 96 volvo 960 with around 120,000 miles on it. Had left it setting for three days and when I got back in to start it up I got this orange blinking up arrow light. When I put the car in drive it barely pulls out. Reverse works fine but going foward is very sluggish. Called dealer and they tell me something possibly wrong with the tranny. Had car towed to a tranny shop and of coarse the blinking light is off. Possible electrical problem.

Taking car to local volvo mechanic tomorrow. What should I expect and how much will this "electrical problem" cost???

Thanks in advance for any input....

 

Most likely a bad PNP switch.

 

I would have to agree with tech the PNP switch or safety netural switch is known to cause these types of problems. From what you descirbe your car starting in winter mode/ 3rd gear your PNP switch is at fault. The contact grease on the switch itself often gets dry due to the heat from the exaust. This is a very common problem on volvos so this is where I personally would start. The PNP switch is mainly a problem when it's cold out, just because you have a bad switch does not mean you can not drive it this way just turn the key to accesories and move the stick back and forth all the way from park to low and this may reset the contacts.

 

My 2006 XC90 changes into Winter Mode when I hit a bump--like a pothole. I can push it the gearshift over into manual mode and back again and it goes back to normal. Might that be one of the switches, too? Which one?