92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem

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92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Wayne on
Sunday, 18 May 1997, at 5:40 p.m.

I have a 92 960 Volvo sedan. I have this problem with my automatic transmission which has me baffled. The car shifts normally thru the gears from 1st thru the upper gear I guess third with no problem 90% of the time as well as downshifts thru the same range with no problem. The problem is when I am driving around town usually between 5-35 mph stop and go traffic that the transmission doesnt want to downshift from the upper gear. I will be slowing coming to a stop and it is still is in third gear ( or the upper gear )it won't shift down and the rpm's are so low that the engine almost seems that its going to stall and then it kicks hard into first. The same thing happens when I take off it seems like 2nd gear is missed and goes right into third. This seems to take place after the car has warmed up and has been driven for at least 20 minutes or more in slow traffic. It also will start happening if I let it idle for a long period of time. I can come off of the interstate or other roadways where the speeds are higher and then travel at between 5- 35 mph and there is no problem for awhile then after about 15 or so minutes it starts to do it again. The whole thing has me mystified. I had it into the dealer and they couldnt find anything wrong with it and I got a nice bill anyway. I think its some kind of transmission sensor which is gone haywire or works when it wants to. I don't want to keep taking it to the dealer and have them tell me nothings wrong. I was hoping that it would fail completly then I could get the problem fixed. Has anyone had or heard of this sort of thing. I would appreciate anyones advice. Please email me if you have any ideas.

Thanks Alot Wayne

email: buzzcut@maine.rr.com

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Shatz on
Monday, 19 May 1997, at 2:58 p.m.

I wonder it has something to do with the "Mode" selection. Sort of sounds like it is in the winter mode where the car starts in 3rd gear, to prevent slipping. But the off-and-on nature of it is perplexing.

Was the dealer unable to duplicate the problem at all or couldn't they find aything wrong, even after a test drive to experience the problem? If they failed to fix a problem that they duplicated, then I'd take it back to them and have them keep it until its fixed. Then deduct the original bill from their charge.

If your dealer is small, they may not have a lot of experience with the 960's since they don't sell too many of them. THan may be another problem in finally finding the answer.

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Shatz on
Monday, 19 May 1997, at 2:58 p.m.

If your dealer is small, they may not have a lot of experience with the 960's since they don't sell too many of them. That may be another problem in finally finding the answer.

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by abe crombie on
Wednesday, 21 May 1997, at 3:09 p.m.

1992 960's had a service action that involved replacement of the ecm for the transmission for problems like yours. Do you know if your car had this updated ecm installed? If that has been done, your other potential problem might be contamination of the speed pickup in the differential. The transmission ecm is more sensitve to the speed signal than is either the ABS or the speedometer which also use it.

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Shatz on
Wednesday, 21 May 1997, at 4:08 p.m.

Should every 960 owner worry about this service action, i.e. run to your dealer demanding the ecm (whatever that is)to be replaced, or only those who's cars have exhibited this performance problem?

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Wednesday, 21 May 1997, at 4:41 p.m.

I don't know the exact specifics concerning this particular update, but normally the updated part will have a new part number and any cars exhibiting problems will receive an updated part since the old one is probably not manufactured anymore.

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by abe crombie on
Wednesday, 21 May 1997, at 8:47 p.m.

I recall a service action that was to address just such a problem on this year model 960. Early production 92 models had some odd problems with the trans that was related to a software malady in the trans computer. Check w/ your dealer to see if your car has had this done if not check to see if it is still covered by Volvo. Also the trans computer is sensitive to the signal from the speed sender in the rear differential, if it is contaminated with any metal filings it could cause this type problem where the trans computer is confused as to what gear it belongs in. This sensor in the diff is used by the speedo and the ABS but the trans computer is more sensitive than either of the other two.

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by wayne on
Thursday, 22 May 1997, at 12:25 p.m.

I think you are on to the problem. I have a repair manual on this car that I purchased. It shows this ECM along with other electrical control devices. I suspected the ECM after I looked thru the manual. I've called my Volvo Dealer and they want to look up the Service Bulletin on this but they asked me if I knew the bulletin number and of course I didn't. I realize that they have hundreds of thousands of bulletins covering different things. I think I'm going to proceed to replace this ECM and perhaps the speed sensor in the differential. I will keep the list posted on the out come of this in case someone else runs into this problem. Again many thanks for your replies and ideas. I really like this forum.

Wayne Email: buzzcut@maine.rr.com

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Robert on
Thursday, 22 May 1997, at 8:26 p.m.

Wayne, The Updated TCM was not, to my knowledge, listed in a bulliten. This TCM had a software change that reduced the sensation of the transmission hunting around 35 - 40 mph. Some folks did not like this sensation, others never noticed. I updated my 92 960 TCM and could tell very little difference. This is a very expensive part if you have to buy it. Once again it was only a software change, if your problem just started, it is likely to be from some other cause. I agree with Abe on the speed sensor. It sounds likely in theory although I have no personal experience with this problem. I have found the 960 trans. to be problem free so far. I think I had to replace a shift solenoid a couple years back but don't remember the details.Good luck, hope the repair is minor. Robert

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Robert on
Thursday, 22 May 1997, at 8:59 p.m.

Wayne, I think Abe and I are talking about 2 different things. I forgot about the service action. It applied to very early models only and a few of these cars also needed TCMs. I dont remember why they needed replacement but what I'm talking about came later. Ask your dealer to check his DCS for open campaigns. If any are still open, have him take care of it. There is normally no time or mileage limit on campaigns. I still think your problem is not TCM related. Robert

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Shatz on
Thursday, 22 May 1997, at 5:14 p.m.

Well, I may have escaped this one, since my 92 was manufactured late; August I think. Thanks for the update, however.

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by abe crombie on
Thursday, 22 May 1997, at 6:05 p.m.

If your 960 was built 8/91 your in luck (maybe?). but if it was built 8/92 then it is a 1993 model or I would think it should be since VOLVO generally stops prducing one year's model in June or at the latest July and starts another in late July or August. If you go with the sender being the culprit you should firsst try replacing the differential lube as it becoming contaminated with wear debris from your locking diff with its metallic clutches could cause erratic voltage impulses that a simple fluid change might rectify. You don't want to change the sender on your 960 unless it's a wagon. The sedan's sender is a bit difficult to reach-- as in lower the diff out of the carrier to access it.

P.S. I believe the service action that covered the trans control unit was also an action that covered a/c pressure switches that could possibly retain water and rust and mysteriously trigger cooling fan to operate in the middle of the night.

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Shatz on
Friday, 23 May 1997, at 8:32 a.m.

Sorry, I'm not experiencing any problems with the transmission on my 960. I just wondered if it was something I should pursue inorder to take advantage of the service bulletin.

I am obviously uncertain as to the production date for the car; I will check further. I just remember having a conversation with someone, maybe my mechanic in Illinois, who noted it was a late production model and for some reason August sticks in my mind.

Re: 92 960 Transmission Automatic Transmission Shifting Problem[ALL/1998] posted by Robert on
Saturday, 24 May 1997, at 8:33 p.m.

Shatz, The production date is on the VIN sticker on the drivers door. It will show month and year. Have the dealer check your VIN to make sure no recalls are open. If not don't worry about it. The other update may have been done already also. If not it would only be covered if the car is still under warranty. It would definitely not be worth the cost. The original TCMs where not defective, but the shift points may have seemed a little strange to some folks. Robert

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