New member here, and greatly appreciate any insight you have about the problem we're experiencing with my 1996 Volvo 850 GLT (which has about 200k miles on it). Everything was fine until I started it today and saw the dashboard light indicating that I had it in low gear (when I actually had it in park). Then, when pushing the accelerator once I put the gear shift in drive, the engine revved just fine but the car began to move at only about 1/3 the speed it normally does. (The "low gear" light on the dashboard continued to illuminate even though I only had the gear shift in P or D.) After a few seconds, the transmission appeared to receive power somewhat close to normal and shifted on its own up to the fourth gear in a normal fashion, but it's obvious that the transmission and engine are not in synch. Greatly appreciate any thoughts on what's wrong.

 

Hopefully your PNP (neutral safety switch) switch took a dump.
"Row" the shifter back and forth about 20 times, (engine on)
If that clears it install a new PNP switch ASAP
DO not continue to drive with the flashing arrow, VERY bad for the tranny

 

That is the blinking arrow, I have been dealing with it for some weeks in my 94 850.
What happens is that the car goes in "limp mode"
Try rocking your lever 20 times from P to L and then switch on and see if its gone, could be a faulty PNP switch in the trans.
Check your codes, port A1 is trans.
I still have not solved my problem, but my car did not go in limp mode, it was just shifting erraticly. i only have the trans sensors left to replace.

Do you have a working speedometer?

 

Thanks very much for your insight. Just to clarify, the "low gear" light (i.e., the arrow pointing up on the dashboard) was on continuously and not flashing. Not sure if that affects your comments but, nonetheless, thanks again. I'll try rowing the shifter tomorrow and see what happens.

 

Check this link, theres info on my ordeal with the arrow

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=42525

 

Veritas
How about the Econ switch, was it on? Or blinking?
The switch in my car blinks with the arrow.

Btw, if its the PNP theres a way to clean and fix if you are handy with tools..
(link on my message above)

 

The '96 cars do not have the OBD-I port under the hood and there is NO A1 to check. The first thing I usually do is scan the OBD-II port, note the codes, clear them, then see if it returns within a week or 500 miles. I also service the item if it has not been serviced lately or I don't know the history. Example: If I have a transmission slip or error I service it ASAP, change fluid.

If the light/error doesn't return, I don't worry about it any more. I have gotten codes or lights that never came back. I call it a hick-up. These cars can be a little sensitive to reporting errors.

 

RSPI
Sorry, thought 96 did, it was 97 on that did not..
Besides that, hope the rest helps..

 

It's always smart to scan for a code as soon as possible. Never take it for granted it's no big deal because you don't feel a problem as the system may be struggling to make up for it. Stop at an auto parts store and borrow (FREE) their scanner if you don't have one. Record the code(s), reset the light and then see if it resets. If it's a hard fault the light will come on as soon as you start it up or put it in drive.

On that handy under hood diagnostic center I think it's only on the 93, 4 and 5's. That sucker should be on every car!

Just to cover the basics, what does your fluid look like and is it full?
How about the Econ switch, is it on? Or blinking?

 

I had the same exact thing happen to me this morning and about 6 months ago. Stayed on for about 20 minutes and it felt as if my parking break was on when taking off from a light.

 

I was having issues this weekend. It started when I shut the car off the transmission was defaulting to winter mode. I had to toggle the Winter mode button for the transmission to shift normal. after a bout 20 minutes of driving it started defaulting to Winter mode every time I stopped. I pulled off the road and swapped the switch with one I had gotten on Ebay a while back and the issues stopped. 200 miles later and still going without a hitch so I guess my switch bad...