2 replies to this topic

[paulr]

Hello,
I've had a 96 850R wagon about two weeks now. 73k Miles. About two days ago I started having intermittent transmission issues. I'll be at a redlight, and be on the break for 2 or 3 minutes. When I come off the break, it feels like I'm in neutral. If I shift into neutral, then back into drive, I don't move either. When I gas the car, it'l get to 1500 or so RPMs, then there will be a noticeable "clunk", and the car moves forward.

This morning, I drove the car about 1 mile (no issues), parked about an hour, and then came back & started to drive. When I put the car in reverse, nothing. I finally got to say 2200 RPMs and the car started to move backward very pathetically, almost as if I were on a steep hill (was on flat, fresh pavement). When I put it into drive, same thing. Put the car in economy, and then winter to see if that helped anything. It didn't. Finally, I just decided to floor it and see how fast I'd go. Once I got decently up in the RPM range, 2200 or so, it moved forward normally, and accelerated at a decent rate. By the time I stopped the car, all the problems seemed to be gone (accelerated normally, etc). Drove home (about 1 mile) tested reverse etc - all was fine. Let the car sit about an hour, all still fine.

I don't have a check engine light, or a solid / blinking transmission (up arrow) light. I don't have access to a code reader, and I don't know of a volvo dealer that's closer than 100 miles away. ATF is at the right level, but I can't be too sure on the color (can't see red). If anything there's a tiny bit too much ATF (haven't checked it when it's been cold a long time, however). Another interesting thing to note is the car idles around 1000RPM, which seems rather high to me (my 850 NA idled much closer to 500). I'd say it's probably 950RPM when in gear, and a hair over 1000 when in neutral. I can check closer if this might be an issue.

What the heck is going on? I'm guessing I'm having torque converter issues, but, really don't know anything beyond there.

#1 should I stop driving the car or is it ok to drive it / see how the problem progresses? If I continue driving it what are the chances I'll make a minor problem into a big one? or is any damage that could be done already done?
#2 do you think switching out the ATF to something like mobil1 / shockproof would possibly solve the issue?
#3 could the high idle speed cause these problems / if so how can I easily lower it? (is there an adjust knob somewhere, etc?)

Thanks,
Paul

[WhiteT5]

Sounds like it could be the PNP switch. I think there was a thread in the sticky about someone who successfully revitalized their PNP by taking it apart and cleaning it.

[prasamin]

Could be the PNP not engaging, but my tranny has been downshifting funny lately too, and I'm due for a flush. I would go ahead and do a flush first....visit www.ipdusa.com for a flush kit, and buy your own fluid and go ahead and take care of it. very easy to do.