Hi there - and thanks for reading this post. I wanted to say thanks to those who helped me out last time, I had my motor revving out in 1st gear when it was cold, and transmission shift lights coming on, and no reverse lights. I replaced my PNP Switch and fixed all of those problems! ($150 part, $175 labor) Thank you!

However, I still have a transmission issue. My symptoms are as follows:
My car is a 1995 850, naturally aspirated non-turbo.
138,000 miles

1. Harder than usual shifts, and they feel a bit 'off'. (this has been a long standing problem for maybe a year or more)
2. I can feel the trans. downshifting sligtly through the gears as I come to a stop. (again long standing)
3. Lately (w/in the past 2 weeks), I've been having the worst problem yet - which is a shimmying of the transmission as I come to a stop. It shakes or something. This has only happened a couple of times now, so I'm having trouble describing it very well. All I can tell you is that each time the car and transmission fluid was warm, and it seems to be doing this as I am coming to a full stop (like, under 15mph). It is very troubling because I'm worried about the cost - I don't have the money to get a new transmission, I'm a college student.

What I can tell you I have done was a replacement of the transmission fluid back in the Summer '05. I had a transmission diagnostic at this time (by an in town mechanic) who gave me the line about needing a new transmission, however I'm skeptical of this opinion, he isn't a Volvo mechanic - he just had some experience with them. I'm hoping someone out there has experienced this problem with their car at this point, or something similar. I need your help so I can get an idea of just what the heck my car is doing.

Thank you all so much - I don't know what I'd do without the Brickboard.

Upper engin mount is easy to spot. Open the hood, start the car. Watch the engine as you shift to reverse. You should be able to tell if the mount is bad, lots of movement and the black donut will look like it is in 2 pieces.
A new plastic one from IPD is the DIY solution.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

You have checked the level of the fluid when it is hot, right? Is it still pinkish or getting very brown? It is so easy to flush, even I can do it!
I like the speed sensor solution, too.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

Yes I had the transmission fluid replaced entirely about 6 months ago. I'm about to gamble on this Speed Sensor switch though - as I don't really know what is causing the problem.

I would check the codes before you replace any more parts. Except the engine mount, of course.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

check the enigne mounts..particualrly the upper mount, it could just be the engine 'rocking' ...if its the upper mount its cheap as chips and DIY...

I have a 95 n/a 850 glt, and my tranny problem turned out to be the speed sensor. It had gone bad, and the tranny could not tell how fast the engine was going...hence bad clunking shifts, dropping in and out of overdrive, especially in cold weather... REplaced the sensor, and worked great after that.

Where's the speed sensor located? I'd like to give that a try. Thanks.

Other people with '95's have posted some of the same tranny problems you're seeing. Seems to be a weakness w/ that year. My '95 has been doing some of the same things for the past few years. I've installed a Hayden auxillary tranny cooler as someone suggested and it has helped. At this point I have to change the fluid every 8K miles or so depending on how my wife treats the car. Maybe try some Lucas additive, stay out of the "sport" mode and minimize ac use. Running the ac heats up the tranny fluid even more. Haven't tried synthetic fluid yet but that's the next step when the fluid change is due.