posted by
someone claiming to be mark
on
Fri Feb 9 02:08 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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I recently bought a 1993 850 GLT with 88500 miles on it. I'm reading many posts on this board about 850 transmission concerns and want to know what to look out for so that I can head off trouble before it happens. I rather get a $200 PNP repair or something like that than have to replace the entire transmission.
What are some of the warning signs that let people know to do something before the transmission drops? My car revs a little when dropping into overdrive or whatever the last gear is. Is that a sign that something's starting to go?
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posted by
someone claiming to be Mike A.
on
Sun Feb 11 14:37 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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I just had my wife's '93 850 PNP switch replaced. 105K, the car was not shifting out of low in the morning, but warmed up apparently after about 5-10 minutes, then was ok for the rest of the day. Shifting between D and 3 helped alleviate the problem before it warmed up. One shop was telling us that more than likely the transmission had to be replaced due to the failure of the code for the switch to show up more than once. Flashing arrow came on a few days later by shifting into L and 3 repeatedly. Took it to the dealer who reccommended a PNP switch replace 1st to see if that fixed the problem, the codes had indicated it was bad. Went ahead and replaced it to the tune of $328 (Monterey, CA, 2 hours @ $78/hr + part + tax). Problem fixed, runs like a champ. Oh, by the way, I also had the tranny flushed and replaced the fluid with Redline. Preventive maintenance, only the second time it's been flushed, but I'm going synthetic all the way now. Hope this helps.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Paul Seminara
on
Fri Feb 9 09:20 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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As with any transmission, synthetic lubricants simply cannot be beat. I would flush and fill with Amsoil Synthetic Universal ATF to relieve your worries. The fluid will easily last 5X petroleum ATF, protect any moving parts MUCH better, give excellent protection at very cold and very high temps, run cooler, more effeciently and give you very slight improvement in MPG. Amsoil ATF is the best made.
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posted by
someone claiming to be BOU BOU
on
Fri Feb 9 05:45 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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Mark, that is a perfectly normal shifting characteristic for a 1993 850 GLT. Just be sure you flush your tranny occasionally - check fluid - should be a nice light red color with no burnt smell. Don't listen to all the doom and gloom about your trans - you do not have a problem and should not be concerned - If your trans develops a problem, you'll know it. My 1993 850 GLT has 142,000 miles with original trans and runs beautifully - never even replaced the PNP switch. They are great cars - I have no affiliation with Volvo.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Tony Giverin
on
Fri Feb 9 05:14 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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mark,
Unless you get the "flashing arrow" don't worry. The winter mode/down shift indicator will flash if a fault code has been recorded. A very small percentage of transmissions are replaced on 850s....most folks are ignoring the "fluid does not need replacing" advice in their owners manual and are now having it flushed. Word has it that Volvo is re-thinking this advice and are now coming around to suggesting you DO replace the fluid at specified intervals. Yes, Volvo can't keep "gear position sensors" on the shelf, and this seems to be a cold weather phenomenon when they fail...
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posted by
someone claiming to be mfdanb
on
Sun Feb 11 04:50 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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im getting the flashing arrow on my 96 850 turbo whats that mean doesnt happen all the time but when it flashes it seems like its slipping
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posted by
someone claiming to be RussB
on
Fri Feb 9 04:07 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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My '93 does the "slip into 4th" also. Others on the board have also had this problem. My car likes to do it mostly when driven, then shut off (like go into a store). When I'll first drive off, the car will do the "slip" a couple of times. What I do now is keep the shifter in 3 when I drive off, and only up shift after a couple minutes of driving. When I leave for work in the morning I also leave the shifter in 3 for the first 3 or so miles of my commute. This does seem to help. I also flush the transaxle fluid out regularly, about every 6 months. This is overkill, but a case of ATF is under $10 at the local BJ's warehouse club, and I'm anal about the maintenance of my car.
RussB in CT
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posted by
someone claiming to be BOU BOU
on
Fri Feb 9 05:35 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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Let's be careful here. For those of you who are panicking about your trannys, it is "normal" for 1993 trannys (possibly some 1994's?)to exhibit a surge (you may call it a slip)at about 2800 - 3000 when shifting to 3rd or 4th gear (auto trans). This usually only happens on the first shift at that rpm after the car has been started. It appears that the computer resets the shift parameters after every restart of the engine. My 1993 GLT has 142,000 miles and has always done this with no detrimental effect. I have driven other 1993's with very low miles which exhib the same characteristic. As long as you change the fluid periodically (I use Mobil Synth. ATF)you should have no problem. I have never even had to change my PNP switch - Suggest running your gear shift lever radically through all gears about 20 times with the enging switched off. I do this at each engine oil change as a habit to lube the PNP switch. Believe me, if your trans goes bad you'll know it. Be more than happy to share my experiences with you guys/gals. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another 850 or S70 - they are very good cars in my opinion - I do agree that Volvo could be more accommodating to its customers on some obvious problem areas. All cars have problems; the manufacturer can make a huge difference through public relations - If I sold a product, I certainly would listen to what the purchaser has to say about the quality of the product to get feedback for improvement - after all, it's our money. If you are satisfied, don't make the same mistake twice - money talks.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Matt W
on
Fri Feb 9 06:16 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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It's good to hear that the slip is normal. But still, does it do damage in any way? It really seems like it must be grinding something away in there, sort of like revving a manual car before engaging the clutch. And if so, I would like to avoid undue wear by heading off the slip.
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posted by
someone claiming to be BOU BOU
on
Fri Feb 9 06:25 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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Hey Matt, at 142,000 and 162,000 miles, what more can we ask for. I wouldn't worry about it. Suppose we get hit by a semi on the way home? Maybe we'll get 250,000 miles contrary to what doom and gloom some people paint about 1993 850's. I got 110,000 miles on my 5 series BMW with a 4HP22 ZF trans; I wasn't expecting that - After all, it's a BMW. What i'm trying to say is life has no guarantees so let's count our blessings we don't own a Vega.
Regards,
Bou Bou
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posted by
someone claiming to be Matt W
on
Fri Feb 9 05:24 CST 2001 [ RELATED]
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I get this too!! I wish I knew what it was, but whatever it is it can't be good, with the way it grinds the revving engine into 4th gear probably wearing the clutch pack away. I do what I can to avoid it too, and the tranny still seems to otherwise be fine even with 167 k/miles on it.
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