95 850T

I've been having a problem with my trans and so I purchased a OBDII reader, great tool! Just before the cold weather set in I began having a problem. I start the car and shift into drive, it acts as if it's in OD and will not shift out for sometimes 10 minutes. The orange arrow begins to flash. I scanned the trans codes and always get an error with "Shift Solenoid B" I'm guessing "B" is for #2. I can clear the codes, sometimes it takes a few times but it will eventually shift normally after clearing them, they must be cleared or it will not shift properly no matter how long I wait. Now, Is this solenoid an easy fix? I've tried to look up information but have had little luck. I found several solenoids on EBAY and one from Groton and they all look the same to me with no specification of WHICH solenoid they are, are solenoids #1 & #2 the same part? Can I just drain the fluid, remove/replace the solenoid, add fluid and be done with it? Also, is the solenoid easily accessable for changind and I'm assuming it's not internal but an external bolt on part attached to the trans housing?

Any info or question answered will be very helpful. Thanks.

 

1. What does the fluid look smell like?

2. Parts wise they are all pretty much the same.

3. Look on the front of the transmission there is a black cover. The soleniods are under there.
You could just replace it and try going from there.

 

Thanks Tech, The fluid does look and smell slightly burned but really not bad. I thought about just flushing the trans and see what that does but if that didn't solve the problem I'd have to drain the system again to replace the solenoid ( I think). and I don't want to do it twice. ALTHOUGH, I really don't know if the fluid will come out from where the solenoid is at when I take it off, will it? I have never been much of an expert on transmissions as I've never had any problems to deal with.

 

If it were me and I could afford it, I would replace the solenoid and flush the fluid.I know it is an obvious statement, but the fluid is the lifeblood of the transmission, and you would not believe how many problems crappy fluid can cause.

Glenn

 

Removing the drain plug will only drain about 3 quarts.
That will take most of the fluid from the soleniod area.
The system holds about 12 quarts of fluid.

 

+1.

I'll post a few pages from factory manual tomorrow.

FCP Groton now sells solenoids:

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvo850tranny.htm

Fluid flush kit is also available somewhere. People say you need approx 10 qts. Be sure to use Dexron-III/Mercon only. You do not need a fancy fluid, all you need is a name brand's conventional Dexron-III/Mercon.


JPN

 

Thank you all for your quick responses. I'll keep you posted.

 

Sorry it took me a bit longer to post this.

And an example of a flush kit:
http://www.ipdusa.com/product.asp?st...hStartRecord=1

And in case if someone dares to fix that gearbox:
http://www.drivetrain.com/volvo_dt.htm#850AW50-42LE

http://www.atsg.biz/cgi-bin/shopper....26pricecode%3D


JPN

[IMG]local://upfiles/6892/1EFFC89DC72D4C62A7EE12360B6F2794.jpg[/IMG]

 

Good luck reaching it... =\