Hi, I need help. Yesterday I went to start my 1994 850 and the arrow was flashing. I pressed the gas and it barely moved (though it did move slowly). I turned it off and restarted. Same thing. I checked the manual and it said that it is a fault in the automatic gear box. I waited for about an hour and then went outside and it started without the arrow flashing. It hasn't flashed since and its driving fine. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Just to clear up the question we are all thinking... The 850's have a "winter mode"button on the center console.. If this button is depressed the arrow light will come on and the vehicle will start in 3rd gear. This is to reduce spinning the tires on wet or snowy roads. If your transmission is in economy mode, the green light will be on right above the switch in the center console, if it is in sport mode the orange light will be on, and if in winter mode neither light will be on but the arrow will come on the dash. Just making sure before you go and spend money to get it looked at..... ;-)

 

he said his arrow was flashing. My arrow doesn't flash when I have it in winter. There is a new thread a few down from here that has this same problem. take a look at it and it should help some

 

Pull the codes if possible. I don't know if anything is stored right now though...

 

Your car has probably entered backup mode, or commonly known as "Limp Home Mode"; the original performance is lost but the car can be driven enough to get you home, or to the "nearest Volvo dealer".

Sometimes the ECU resets temporarily but the code is still stored in the ECU, and the problem WILL come back. Since your 850 is '94, you can retrieve code by yourself manually. Pull the code(s) and then post it here so we can help you better.

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/a1.html

If this seems beyond your capability (which I do not believe), visit an auto parts shop, such as AutoZone that provides free diagnostic service and have them pull codes for you. If you take this route, make sure to tell them that your car is certified for OBD-II and the scanner connection is in front of the shifter, right under the coin holder. The guys at those shops have been educated so that they don't know that some cars made before 1996 do have OBD-II connection. See attached pic; save it in your PC, print it out and take it with you to an auto parts shop. I've circled the OBD-II port.

While the transmission is sluggish, try shifting manually (L-3-D), as this may get you better performance. As long as you don't do anything outrageous, this does not harm the transmission. But have the problem corrected ASAP.

Also, double-check on the fluid level. I once had this problem and the code for "Incorrect Gear Ratio" was found in the ECU. Itseemed to have beentriggered by a low fluid, as little as a half quart. If you don't know how to check for the correct fluid level, let us know. Checking the transmission fluid level is much different from checking the engine oil level so be careful.


JPN

[IMG]local://upfiles/6892/64C8770815AD4E47A020EA7B0DE4DB19.jpg[/IMG]

 

Well, the problem I am getting is Arrow light solid ON and no lights on selector switch. The transmision is still behaving nice (not starting from 3rd gear as in winter mode). The winter mode switch do nothing when i press it.
please HELP!!!

 

Get the codes pulled.

 

I had indentical issues in identical car. It is 95% the PNP switch.Should not be that big of a job at a mechanic. Pull the codes for the tranny and you will probably get "improper gear ratio" in there if you do have the PNP switch replaced.

 

Thanks everyone. I tied to pull codes from all the holes (A1-A7). I could see and was abloe to clear some codes from A2,A3,A6 and A7 but the LED comes solid ON as soon as i try to put the jumper in A1. I am going to get this car in 2 days from now but will try to get as much information by then so that I can order or find parts.

 

Also try playing with the ignition switch. We had one today that the electrical part was bad on.

 

Checked ignition switch and found nothing wrong with it. Finally, we cancelled the deal because I didnt wanted to buy some headache specially when the wind=ters are just on the corner.
BTW, I am getting another 1996 GLE wagon. Will post picures as soon as i get it.
Thanks again to everyone on this fantastic site for all the help.

 

Hello Bestharry,

Better Safe than BROKE because you bought a Money Pit.

Good choice and good luck with the GLE Estate, not fond of the word wagon [:'(]

Looking forward toyour pics. [sm=smiley20.gif]

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

Regards Quick Brick,
The word W*#^n is replaced with ESTATE ....
Just got it 30 minutes ago.....So far, It looks like the best of all I ever had.

HOPE for best !!

 

If the arrow is flashing, does this mean that a code has been stored? I guess what I'm asking is, if the light is flashing and then stops flashing at some point, will there be a transmission code stored?

 

Sometimes the code stays stored and other times it doesn't.

 

I guess you have sorted this by now, but if not this ius how to cler it. I found this with Google and it has worked on all 4 cars that I have heard about. Posted by Jon originaly

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I am also having this same issue with my '97 850 Turbo. I've taken it to 2 different places to have diagnostics run on it and neither came up with anything. I'm convinced I just own a monster vehicle. I don't know what else to do.

 

Did you take the car to a transmission shop or dealer? Many shops don't have the equipment to diagnose Volvo's specific transmission problems.