When I purchased this 1996 960 wagon, the check engine light, the flashing arrow and the alternating flashing E and W lights were on, but everyone had an easy explanation. The code read out 222, for the pnp switch. I was told it wouldnt hurt the transmission and often after it sat it would stop flashing. It would only start flashing when it was started and likeways only stop flashing after it was stopped. Once the car was running there would be no alteration on whatever it had decided to do that day.

The used car dealer I purchased it from read the code. 2 Auto Zones read the code. The Volvo dealership 50 miles away read the code. The dealership 45 miles away read the code. All of them came up with 222. Since the prices varied and I was doing a lot of travelling I got estimates from 2 other dealerships.

At one, a mechanic told me that it could be the shift cylinoid and that the trans would fail if it was running in 3rd gear. Most of the time, it shifted normally but there had been a few times starting out that it did stay in 3rd, so that motivated me to make an appointment. Not with that dealership as they wanted 485 dollars. But another one that charged real time shop time. Very fair, ended up being 265. They cleared the code and I went home, the next day the lights came on again so I drove it 90 miles back, but the lights werent flashing that day. They read the code 313 and said it was either the wiring harness or the shift cylinoid they couldnt tell and needed the car for 2 days. They told me to take it home again and drive it til it started flashing and then bring it back. So I did. 3 weeks later. It didnt ever seem as though it was starting out in 3rd it always had that zesty burning rubber type 1st gear start that so seduced me when I bought the vehicle.

On the second day, I called and they said they wanted to keep it over the weekend as it was just sitting there and they were doing other cars. I gently reminded them, I came a long way, rented a vehicle and stayed in a motel overnight (which I wouldn't have done if I didnt need to come up to the city for another reason anyway) and couldnt afford to wait the weekend. Could they please put a man on it?

2 hours later they phoned me. Car all fixed. Come pick it up.

Turns out they couldnt clear the codes out and figured that it was the brain. So they replaced that $613. I was relieved and pleased and gladly paid the money. As I was leaving.....

The service dude said,"By the way if it starts flashing again, bring it back and we will credit the part towards fixing it again"

2 days later...

Off at the dentist with my MIL, I'm driving down the road 30 miles from home. Flashing! 3rd gear. Drive home. Notice whine between 40 mph and 50 mph.

Husband checks fluid. Too much on dipstick. clear brown color. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

Drove it to mechanic's shop 1 mile away, still flashing, no whine, no 3rd gear start. Speak with mechanic, but as it is late at night he didnt examine it. As we started it up it was in 3rd gear. when we turned in our road, we could hear a whine going at 20 mph.

Looking for used trans all day. Finally tonight, I did what most mechanics brought up. I smelled the fluid. You know, it smells quite pleasant. Just like regular trans fluid. No yucky burnt smell. Husband concurs.


Option 1. Trans is totalled! I could buy a used trans on ebay supposedly with shipping for around 350 according to members of brick board. Have a mechanic down here install it for another 350 or 400 and then the
Volvo dealership will refund 490 if I bring car and reciept for new used trans and will reinstall old brain taking back their new part.

OPtion2. Trans might squeak by! I could drain and add new fluid and wait til light quits flashing and make a non-stop run to the Volvo dealership and let them try fixing something else? Possibly both the cylinoid and wiring harness. (Will cost 600 but they will apply 490 from the brain)


I cant convince anyone to do a serious flush on the car, so would just drain and refill it. Possibly could get my neighbor who has mechanic shop to drop pan and check for filings ( and clean it.)

I feel like everything I choose to do is wrong. I'm really at a loss and could use some more imput. One trans shop told me they refuse to even work on volvos anymore because the electronics are tooooo hard to fix. and they keep coming back.

Suggestions? Comments? Completely Appreciated.