This morning I got in the car and started it and the amber arrow started flashing. This is the arrow that comes on when winter mode is selcted,except then it is on steady and not flashing. I tried shutting the car off and restarting it to no avail. I called the mechanic and he said to bring it over. He checked for codes and said it was indicating the sensor. He reset it and checked again and everything was clear and I drove away. I have not seen the problem again. He explained that it was basically saying it did not know for sure what gear the car was in. Rather then fool with it he ordered a new on to be installed on Monday. Is this just a 12 year old electronic part going bad or something common to the 850? The trans shifted normally and other then the flashing indicator I couldn't tell any difference.

 

That is normal on the older cars for them to go bad.