just purchased this car 96 volvo 850 GLT with Auto trans. Doesnt have First or Second gear. Trouble codes point to the S1 and S2 solenoids. My quesiton is: is it worth fixing the solenoids or better off getting another trans. The car has 101000 miles on it, 3rd and 4th work great. If replacing trans is best option then is there a better option or yr? Or a different model that eliminated this problem. If replacing the solenoids, finding a good source for parts is the next quesiton. Thanks

 

I had the solenoids replaced in my tranny by a shop. I did go by when they were doing it and they had to drop the tranny side of the tranny and sub frame to get the cover off. My situation was different than yours and I wound up replacing the transmission.

 

With only 101,000 miles I'd try the solenoids. It's pretty common for that transmission to last a lot longer than that. I don't think age is a huge factor yet for complete transmission failure, but I realize a full overhaul might really be what is needed.

 

I believe the problems I had were caused but one of the tranny cooler lines blowing off and draining the fluid. I think that even though I shut it down as quick as I could I burnt some of the clutch packs and that caused it to keep going into "wrong gear selected". I would try the solenoids before giving up on the transmission.