i found the answer while finishing my post and i cant find a delete/disregard button to click.

My 95 850 wagon popped the check engine light on and transmission arrow to flashing when i was decending a long low hill at roughly 40mph. i shifted from "D" to "3" to save the brakes from a possible heating, when i come down this mountain i have had slight/faint brake fade and i frequently notice that the car in front of me will have the "burning brake pads" smell.

well, as soon as shifted down the lights came on. when i got home i read the codes

port A1:
322

port A2:
111

port A3:
312
212
213
141
142

and so... i kept testing each port..

the rest were vacant, non-responsive or showed a 111 except for port B2

port B2:
122

and i cant get B2 to clear. i also have not found a code list for this port in my haynes or easily located an answer searching the boards or google. i have most of the "A" codes and even the B5's...

any help on the B2 codes?


oops. i just found the answer and now the post is already started. thanks for reading. (roll eyes)

122 will appear on socket B-2 until you first drive the car over 35kph, then check codes BEFORE switching off the engine. This code only indicates a problem if it remains after driving/checking.

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/volvo/805858/850/code_122_b2_sidecant_clear.html

Son't even bother with the B 2 1-2-2, it is not a fault.

Your ABS, A 3, is a problem and needs to be investigated further. Try clearing the codes, they all should clear, then drive it around the block above 20mph and see what comes back. The wheel sensors, specifically on the axles, may be coated in rust/mud and need to be cleaned.

The tranny code is not normally a problem, just clear it. It is a dispute between the engine rpm and the gear you selected.

Your brakes should never fade on a down slope. These are disk, not drum brakes which used to overheat and fail. Flush your brake fluid completely as it may be contaminated and boiling.

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

my brake fluid is dark (for brake fluid) and is likely original (mostly).

the brake fade is something i have NOT experienced in the volvo, but my old ford exploder had a manual tranny and it would get the brakes good and smelly/hot down this mountain and the pedal would start feeling softer so i'd downshift to avoid any trouble. (i had fresh brake fluid it that one tho...)

i have read about the rust/wire brush cleaning for the sensors and will check that out if the codes come back.

is it uncommon for this many codes to "pop" with one event? they all seem related in the descriptions and it makes me wonder if the computer just "hiccuped/glitched" i guess i will find out when i drive later today. (duh)

with this tranny (and 160+k miles) is a downshift on steep hills something to avoid? i have a few mountains with 5% and steeper grades around here in roanoke, va and generally use "3" while ascending and descending them.
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-woodsytf '95 850 wagon 160k

Shifting to 3 is not ever a problem, and is a good idea in your hills if the road is wet. What I object to is the TCU down shifting to 1st at 25mph or less instead of keeping it in 2nd. A real pain in the Rockies when you want to do 20-25mph on a really steep mountain pass.

Some of the DTCs are minor and after getting set, never clear themselves. I try to clear all codes, except B2, at every oil change.

You might contemplate flushing the tranny fluid if it hasn't been done. Do NOT use a comercial machine to do this, but use the IPD method of unplugging the top tranny cooler hose and flushing 2 quarts at a time until the fluid is pink.

Keep having fun,

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

i have refilled/flushed recently and i was the goof that accidentally put atf4 instead of dexronIII/mercon in the tranny. it is still behaving well afer a second flush with the proper mercon the manual stated.

anyhow... the B2 code had me puzzled but everything else was been reset and has not thrown any codes today with several short trips around town and up/down hills and mountains.

the upshift choices this tranny makes seem just fine, the downshift choices with mine are odd sometimes too.

i guess the ECU had a hiccup or something.

again, thanks ozark and kluas for your help and experience.
cheers!
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-woodsytf '95 850 wagon 160k

My 1995 tranny downshifts every once in a while with my foot off the gas, something my 1998 never does. The 95 shifts down while coasting down hill in drive, from 4 to 3rd, usually at around 35mph.

Just have fun with your car, lile the Cadillac comercial, let your car turn you on :)

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

i have enjoyed my 850 so far. it has been easier to work on (a large portion of the thanks for that goes to you folks here at brickboard) than other used cars i have owned. it has its quirks and occasional troubles but i like it. fun to drive, safe and all that, get decent MPG and all for $3500 (used)
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-woodsytf '95 850 wagon 160k

The 1-2-2 code in B-2 simply means that the car is not traveling at over (I think) 35 kph. Ignore it.

What was the question on B-5?

...Lee

ozark,
the B5 showed 111.

i'll try to reset the B2 after a drive.
thanks a bunch!
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-woodsytf '95 850 wagon 160k