My 1996 Sedan has begun to act up over the past couple
of weeks. It seems like the transmission dis-engages and
engages momentarily a few times after first starting and
driving. I have noticed it with the onset of colder weather
here out west (but it really isnt very cold yet). After driving for
15 or so minutes the problems seem to go away, at least so far
(I assume it is going to get worse).

No Check Engine light, and as it is a 96 model, I cant get at the
codes without a code reader. I was under the assumption that
that are no codes set unless the Check Engine light goes on,
is that correct?

Thanks for any advice!

-jas



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96 850 Sedan & 94 850 Wagon

hi,
you should replace the pnp switch at this age for in the winter the contact will float in the switch and cause a no start condition. but i think your tranny need a flush if you have not done one lately (colour should be red and not dark red or brown. flush it with 16litres of tranny fluid, it will made a change for the best.
(i have being working on these car for a long time. good luck.
email me at personaljb@hotmail.com

I had an intermittant problem that usually surfaced when the weather got cold. The tranny would upshift and down shift on its own. At highway speeds it would drop out of overdrive for no reason. Turns out I had a bad throttle position sensor. The tranny was not getting good info on how fast the engine was running, and could not figure out which gear to stay in. Replaced it for $125 or so, and all has been right with the (Volvo) world.

Bob Watson, 95 850

Hi Bob,
Does the TPS make the humming sound cause mine does and it did show faulty codes that TPS is low? My arrow blinks in the am and tranny would go on a safety mode so had to clear codes again to use car. Bomber! Traany been rebuilt 1mos ago and the PNP replaced as well?

About the Check Engine Light (CEL): Codes can quite often be set without a CEL. Situations where timing is retarded, and the car drives very slowly, have no CEL, but there is a code set that needs to be reset.

I thought that was my problem on my 97 because I had the same problem on my 94.
Even shifted back and forth between gears and that cleared it up for a while.
But when I took it to the dealer they reset the codes and told me to come back when it happened again . Found out 2 of the 3 solenoids in the tranny are the cause. I also had the blinking arrow ,stuck in 3rd.
$915 to replace all 3 .
I said reset the codes and I'll think about it.
Haven't had the problem for a month ,but I know it will come back.

Often you'll get a flashing orange arrow in your instrument cluster.

j

No flashing arrow present!

-jas

--
96 850 Sedan & 94 850 Wagon