Recently bought 95 volvo 850 GLT has only 83000 miles. Was driving fine but one day the orange arrow started blinking switched the car off and then started driving the next day and the arrow came back and then subsequently 5 miles down the road the car switched from drive to neutral and would not move but the engine was still on and revved. Put car on computer and got back these codes: 2-3-2, 3-2-3, 2-3-3, 3-2-2, 3-1-3. What is going on with this car? Please Help Me.

 

Yikes!!! How long have you had it? Have you checked the transmission fluid level? Have you searched the codes?

Welcome to the forum.

 

Yes I've had the car for less then a year. They transmission fluid is perfectly fine and yes I have searched the codes and what they mean:3-1-3(Incorrect signal from gear position sensor), 3-2-2(Incorrect gear ratio for given road speed), 2-3-3 (Incorrect speedometer signal), 3-2-3 (Lockup slips or not engaged), 2-3-2 (Vehicle speed sensor signal absent).

 

If you haven't yet, reset the codes and drive it for a day and see which one(s) comes back.

the 232 (Vehicle speed sensor signal absent) could cause some of those others as no speed signal to the computer and it wouldn't know what gear to be in and may cause it to not go into over drive or 4th.

You might want to read this:

97 850R Vehicle Speed Sensor - FWD/AWD 1998 and Prior - Volvospeed Forums

 

Alright so I cleaned out the sensor which wasnt actually to hard to do and also replaced the pnp switch while I was in there (which was a little complicated for a novice like me). But whats absolutely dreadful is that I am still having the same problem and the car is still not engaging. Though I just tried to pull out the codes once again to see if anything had changed and now didn't get any codes back. Anyone have a clue whats going on now?

p.s. I've gotten a suggestion that it could be the solenoids but wouldn't I still got a code back from that and.... what the heck is a solenoid?

 

Before you pull the trans apart, clean and exercise the econ/sport select switch. Mine did something similar w/in first few months after I bought it; up arrow was displayed and car would barely move (it was in winter mode).

I cleaned the switch w/contact cleaner and exercised the crap out it; cycled the key switch and it's never done it since; that was like 5 yrs ago.

 

On the Volvo's transmission there are two electrical solenoids inside the transmission. They are electrically controlled, fluid ON OFF switches/valves that are located inside the transmission and control when and where fluid flows to engage the different gears. They can be user serviced if you want to go in there. Yes, if they go bad they should (should) set a code.

I would try to clean or lube that transmission switch as suggested. I'd use electric contact cleaner or WD40 and rock it back and forth a bit and the winter button to work the contacts. Ya never know when something simple might save your butt ! !

Did you already check the transmission fluid level, I forgot to ask but RSPI caught it. Didn't see your response yet.

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL
1) Ensure vehicle is level. Apply parking brake and gear
selector lever to "P" position. Start and idle engine. Move gear
selector lever through all gears, while pausing 4-5 seconds for
engagement at each position.
2) Return gear selector lever to "P" position. Wait 2 minutes
and check fluid

If you need fluid you should use Dexron/Mercon or better.

 

I'm not saying it's a solenoid problem at this point just though I'd give you an idea what it takes to get to them.

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=47779

 

I have checked my fluid and it is full and red. Thank you for the advice on the mode selector switch I will most definitely try that. I was starting to think that it was the solenoids but you described everything that has happened with the car so before I have to go and pull the transmission out and pull out the solenoids. I will go to the junkyard and go see if I can find a good one to replace the one I have already in the car. I will make sure to update and let you know if it worked or not. Though I already know if it doesn't work I will be switching out the solenoids with new ones.