my car keeps going into limp home mode. When I pull the codes it just says wrong gear selected. So far I have changed the neutral safety switch, checked the shift solenoids and replaced the "O rings on the solenoids" and changed all the fluid. I took the car to a good transmission shop and they did the solenoid O rings. After I did those the car still does the same thing. The trans shop says I probably need to rebuild or find a good used tranny. A rebuild would cost more than the car is worth. I wouldn't mind getting a good used tranny but where. Does anyone know of a good source? The idea of going to PnP for one sounds very questionable, probably would get one with the same problem. The rest of the car is in good shape and runs good so I hate to just junk it.

 

I can sell you a used transmission for $500 - comes complete with a 1995 850 turbo wagon :-) Unfortunately getting it to Sonoma from Connecticut would be a hassle as it is leaking oil due to a clogged PCV. Plan B would be to search Rancho Cordova using the car-parts.com web site.

 

I did a manual swap so I don't have to deal with automatic transmission.

You're right, it's expensive. But then, anything major parts you replace will exceed the cost of a $2000 car. So, keep it or sell it?Keep auto or swap manual?

Keep manual, find a parts car that still runs. Test drive then out the transmission and sell/ junk the rest.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto...286761846.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto...283841670.html

Find a parts manual car, take the transmission out. Open it and inspect the gears and synchro.

 

How hard was the manual swap. I prefer a manual anyway.

 

For me? Easy. For you? I don't know.

It's a clutch job, installing shifter, installing shifter cables, installing hydraulics, swapping pedals, and slight wiring modification all at once.

 

So a friend picked up a TCU from a 96 or 97 at PNP and I plugged it in. First of all is this compatible? Second, I went out and drove the car and it came up with a code that said "0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor" and I still had all gears. With the old TCU I would get "Wrong gear selected" and it would go into limp home mode.
Can I use the new TCU? Should I get a new "Vehicle Speed Sensor"? Any suggestions?

 

96 and on 850 uses the ABS circuit to get vehicle speed. Spice your existing speed sensor connector to the ABS and you'll get your vehicle speed back. Use a multimeter to figure out which wire is ground and which is signal on both the speed sensor and abs.

 

So the next question is is my speed sensor bad or is this because it is not connected into the ABS system. If I connect this into my ABS could it correct my "Wrong Gear Selected" and limp home mode issue? If I cant correct this then I either get a used tranny or dump the car.

 

I don't know the answers to any of the questions you asked.

I know I wired my 94's speed sensor wiring to my driver wheel ABS wiring and I was able to use a 97 auto transmission. Then I swapped to a manual transmission.

 

So I still have my car and am thinking about looking for a used tranny. Does anyone know of a good source? If I get one from PnP it could have the same issues. How hard is a tranny swap. Can this be done in a driveway with out a lift?

 

"how hard is a tranny swap" well, in terms of unit repair, it's the worst one. What else is there on the car that you'd want to swap less? None. As you have probably noticed, when the transmission dies on an old car, that is what launches them into the junkyard.

You can certainly do it if you work on cars a lot and you're committed. You can see the transmission easily enough (unlike you can't see electricity, for instance) and you can find good instructions for the few issues that are curious about it, like access to the torque converter bolts.

 

Some have done it, using 4x2 across the engine bay other things, though given engine hoist is $50 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls...354442302.html

Much easier to use the engine hoist.

 

I have found a site that sell used trannys for these cars but I need to know if there is a difference between the transmission in the turbo and non turbo cars.

 

it is different.

 

some light reading: https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/se...sDiagnosis.pdf

A good thread to review is: http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=305044 seems while the core transmissions are the same, the final drive ratios vary by engine type and the connectors/speed sensor types can vary by model year

 

So I have been looking for a good used transmission on line and there are places with a one year guarantee and that sounds good but the price is around $700 with free shipping. Are there any good places that might be a little cheaper that anyone knows of?

 

Here you could buy an entire Volvo 850 for $500. Scrap value is about $300. That is the cheapest option, assuming your time is gratis.

 

Everything else on the car is good so for $700 I could have a good car. Around here I would probably have to pay $1500 to $2000 for another of the same year. I need something to drive for work and I am trying to not spend a lot. Yes for $5K I could get something decent but I don't have that amount around right now. I am working on a tight budget at the moment.

 

I have a transmission in storage that was good when I purchased it 6 years ago. In my opinion, 9 of 10 of the transmission in the junkyard are good. Most of these cars get junked from wrecks and engine issues (overheat, burnt valve, thrown rod, etc.).

You can have the transmission in my storage. I believe it will cost about $200. The things are about 150 lbs.

I'd pull the engine and trans out of the top, then separate, etc. Easier with 1 person.

'94 and '95 are drop in's. '96 - '98 will have speed sensor issues.

I have a '95 TCU that I can loan you to test if you'd like.

 

Manual swap is a lot of work but man I'm so glad I did it.