hey,

i now have that arrow flashing in my warning area. but it doesnt flash all the time. it does about half the time right now. i looked at the manual and it said that it means the automatic gearbox is faulty and when i hit the gas while it is flashing i dont get much power at all...so, i'm wondering what that entails and if anybody has any history or knowledge on the gearbox or the flashing arrow. thanks

 

You need to have the codes pulled it means there is a fault in the trans system.

 

what does that mean? is that something that i can do (a non mechanic) or do i need to take it into a shop? thanks for you help.

 

What year is your car?

 

its a '93 850 glt 130k miles automatic

 

You can pull the codes your self.
Follow link to learn how to pull the codes.
http://www.troublecodes.net/Volvo/
I believe A1 is for the transmission.I have also posted somewhere I forget which ports are for what.
I don't have my book at home to help with the codes.I will try to bring home tomorrow.

 

tech,

i did the diagnostic checks.

first i tested A-1 for transmission and it read 3-1-3...but their was no code for that with the site that you sent me. do you know what it is?

the second one i tested was A-2 for the fuel and it read 1-2-1...which is mass airflow sensor. do you know what would be up with that?

and thirdly i tested A-6 for ingition and it read 2-1-4...which is ignition RPM signal erratic. do you know about that?

 

i wanted to continue what i was talking about in the last post...

i read another forum at another site and someone was having a similar problem (hitting the gas and having no power). they said it was a "limp home" mode that the car goes into 3rd gear automatically and thats why its so hard to accelerate. they said it was due to a PNP SWITCH. do you know anything about that?

 

The 313 code is for the PNP switch.My guess would be that it is bad.The first thing to do first is to clear the code and see how fast it comes back.

For the massflow sensor clean the plug for it and clear the code and see if it comes back.

Clear the code for the RPM sensor it could come from the trans. starting out in 3rd gear.

 

i tried to clear the codes but it didn't seem to clear them. can i just disconnect my battery, will that clear them? and if it is so that it is the PNP switch, i read that i can get a part from my local advanced auto called somthing like a "neutral sensory switch" or something close to that that can replace the PNP for a little cheaper. what do you think?

 

Sometimes they will clear disconnecting the battery and others times it will not.
I always have a hard time getting the codes to clear as well. Sometimes it takes 5 or 6 times to get them to clear.

Im not sure if you can get the PNP from Advanced or not. Look online and see if they have a picture of it.If so post it and I can tell you if it is correct or not.

 

here is the picture of the neutral safety switch. i was told it can replace the PNP. let me know what you think. here is the website that i found the switch.

autozone neutral safety switch

 

That is not the PNP switch.
http://www.autopartsauthority.com/sp.../vo-parts.html
Follow link and it is the bottom picture for $124.99

 

so you think that may be the trick to what is wrong. is the PNP switch something i can find and replace myself? thanks for your help.

 

It is easy to replace.It would take you like and hour or so.

 

where can i find the pnp switch in the engine and how do i replace it after i have the part?

 

The PNP switch is on the top of the transmission under the battery tray.

It is pretty easy once you see it to replace.

 

I have just had the same flashing arrow displaying on my 1993 L reg 850 2.5 20v auto. It didnt do it all the time initially and when the lamp was off it drove fine. On self testing the under bonnet diagnostic it showed either the speed sensor, gear sensor or as solenoid. Then the lamp stayed on all the time and the car only uses 3rd gear. I had it reset at a garage and it drove fine for a week then back on it came [IMG][/IMG]. It was dangerous to drive so I had to have it fixed properly. I took it to Automatic Automotives in Edinburgh, who linked it to their diagnostic machine (does 10 diff types of car) and said that a solenoid on the gearbox had gone. They also said that the car may be overheating as the gearbox oil was v hot. I had them replace the solenoid which involves dropping the gearbox out, they also changed the fluid. I have had the car back for 4 days and it is driving fine so far. It did cost me £355, but it took them 3 days total to fix and they gave me a courtesy car. I am having the cooling system checked now re the overheating. Its a great car and I want to keep it, it keeps the mileage off my Jag and Shogun as both my wife and I use it for travelling to work (120 miles round trips for my wife). Otherwise the car has been rock solid and has a comprehensive history [IMG][/IMG]. i would recommend them to anyone wanting a big safe comfortable mileage eater (142000 now). I will be looking for a newer model later in the year.. Other things I had fixed recently were the drivers heated seat, heated window/mirrors (relay and switch) and the glovebox lock (it locked and wouldnt open). All apparently common faults fixed at Chambers Garage, Blyth,Northumberland where the owner is a Volvo trained mechanic.