I want to start by saying that i love this forum.i am 19 years old and just recently bought my 1st car a red 96 850 base.pretty clean exterior decent interior..(leather seats a bit worn).I bought this car last minute because i had to drive back home to san francisco from san diego(MOST CONFORTABLE RIDE OF MY LIFE!!!).i didnt have a mechanic check it out before i bought it.YEAH DUMB MOVE I KNOW.

PROBLEMS

1.didnt take me long to figure out the odometer and trip counter were not working..its stuck at 105,089..have no clue how many miles on it now..i just put it thru a 516 mi. road trip

2.3-4 hours into my trip i felt it jerk as i accelerated..it started shifting at around 4000rpm and maxed out at 65 mph. islowed down and accelerated slower and shifted fine.i found it only jerks when accel. between 45-65 mph. ipulled over at ashop and they said tranny fluid was fine...i let it rest for 1 hour and drove fine the remaining5 hours.

3. there was some condensation in the lower part of the inside of the windshield when i got out of work..it was a clear sunny day today...

4. there is light white smoking from my exhaust for the 1st 5-10 minutes of driving

IVE HAD THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN A WEEK AND LOVE IT.NEVER BEEN IN A MORE CONFORTABLE CAR.AND NOW THAT I HAVE A CHILD ON THE WAY VOLVOS REPUTATION FOR BEING ONE OF THE SAFEST CARSIS A PLUS..I DID AN OIL CHANGE AND INTERIOR DETAIL BEFORE STARTING MY TRIP..I PLAN ON DOING A TUNE-UP PRETTY SOON...

ANY SUGGESTIONS TO WHATS CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS AND ANY OTHER ADVISE IS WELCOME SINCE I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH CARS OF ANY KIND..

 

1. The odometer gear is broke. There is a pinned post about replacing it.

2. Were you accelerating really hard? It might have been misfiring. If it was the tune up should fix that.

3. If you turn the heat on do you smell something sweet?

4. I would check all vacuum hoses and vent system.

 

Thanks tech..ive read through many posts and see that you are 1 of the members always there for advice.

i plan on tinkering with the 850 since ive always wanted to learn at least basic mechanics but never had means to do so(moms mbz and jag were off limits).So i know i will be a regular at this forum.ill post updates and pictures soon

 

Your welcome.

 

Welcome to the forum.

My 1st & 2nd replies would help you when you do a complete tune-up & other maintenance:

https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm

Is the coolant level in the reservoir staying the same, or is it dropping?

For future reference, when you see Check Engine Light coming on, visit auto parts shop such as AutoZone for free diagnostic services.

Happy New Year,


JPN

[IMG]local://upfiles/6892/E3F41F289C5D40C3B8A3FECE3AE3861C.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/6892/DF0F20FE22B544F6B3A4F80B5FDACC24.jpg[/IMG]

 

First off, let me say congratulations on getting a nice first car and welcome to the forum.

As Tech said, the odometer gear is broken. It is a fairly simple fix if you are comfortable with tools and take your time. THere is a detailed set of instructions on how to fix it and it is about a $35 fix. While you are in there I would change the instrument panel lights too.

I would do a tune up and fluid change to see if that cures your jerkiness issue.

The condensation could be a leaking heater core. As Tech said, do you smell a sweet smell when turning on the heater. CHECK YOUR COOLANT LEVEL now just to be safe!

Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes

 

yup..i got myself a pretty nice 1st car..andfor only $1,350!!!..the condensation is gone..i think the carpet was still a little moist after the carpet cleaning.There is no sweet smell so i think the carpet was to blame.i"ll still check it out though.coolant level is ok.

thanks guys

HAPPYNEW YEARS!!!