I am thinking about buying this 1994 850 Turbo with 140k. It runs smooth and cool but when I put it in Reverse it kicks into gear. How far gone do you think this transmission is? Could fresh transmission fluid alleviate this? It also has the check engine light when you turn it on but cuts off when driving and the ABS light kicked on when I made a U-turn which from my research could simply be a faulty sensor but thats being optimistic.

 

Lets say its toast..what can I expect to pay for a proper trans rebuild?

 

Not sure about the rebuild but it could be the transmission torque mount causing it to shift hard, mine does that sometimes. I'm going to do a fluid change which I have read does help about 1/2 the time.

 

It shifts smoothly and backs up without any trouble, but clunks when I put it in reverse..

 

I think it may be the mount too.

 

I associate real transmission problems with slipping and taking 2+ seconds to find a gear. Put it in reverse and 5 seconds later it dropps into gear, then crawls instead of moves when you gas it.

 

Is it a check engine or service light? You can read the codes for check engine lights - search this forum for procedure.

As for ABS light, could be sensor, could be solder joints on control board.

 

It was the light at the bottom right corner of instrument cluster, it cut off after car was on a few minutes both instances that I started it up. Its a 94 so it runs off of the OBDI tester correct? Where is the hookup on these cars?

 

If the car is turbo it may have both. If it has obd-II the port will be under the coin holder. Also the coin holder will say OBD-II on it.

I just did my 1st transmission drain and refill and my reverse is a little smoother already. The transmission fluid was brown and watery, like dark murky lake water. I don't understand how Volvo engineers could ever think that these transmissions could go forever without a fluid change. One thing that could effect it is when the radiator is replaced. The cooling lines are disconnected and maybe that contaminates the system. I think I'm going to do mine every 50k.

 

The light in the bottom right corner is the "Service Due" light that comes on every 5k. You can reset it with the obd-I port. Instructions are in the sticky.