I am trying my final plea to diagnose a potential trans problem. The car will not idle in gear. It essentially surges in D or R until the car dies. It appears that this is the torque converter not slipping. I have cleaned the TB and the idle air control valve by totally removing. I have no transmission codes. I have even entered test mode 4 and operated the lock-up solenoid (and others). The system appears to be operating satisfactorily. I am considering pulling the trans and replacing the torque converter.

Does anyone have the basics of the idle air control motor. Can it be removed from the system to troubleshoot? Can it be by-passed to ensure its operation? Looking for how it works and determine if I could rule it out totally.

Is there a way to troubleshoot the torque converter? Beyond the test mode 4?

Thanks for you input!

Check your diagnostics for ALL codes. You may have a simple RPM sensor failure or the like. You could also have a fuel or ignition problem. From what you describe, I wouldn't "assume" the transmission.
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'82 240DL Stock / Masters Class, '94 850 GLT Fully Loaded / Daily Driver, CVC / VCOA Member http://www.capcan.com/tonyg.htm

Don't know if you read my second post. I have no problems in N or P. I would believe that if it were something else, I would get the same out of gear. At one time there were several A7 codes but they were not related. I would think that an RPM sensor would give me trouble IN or OUT of gear and also indicate codes??

Couple things I neglected to mention:
The car idles perfect in N or P. When leaving from a stop, the car appears to be like taking-off in a STD transmission with a bad clutch. It immediately sort of surges and then as the speed increases, it levels out. All other shifting is fine. It is like the old days when you were learning to work a STD transmission and let out the clutch too fast.

I keep thinking that the idle control valve could not cause this sort of problem. I hate to pull the trans but cannot use the car as-is. Any diagnostic help would be appreciated. Also, I am sure someone in the 850 world has encountered this same thing???

I don't know about your tranny problem but I have taken my air control valve out and cleaned it with carb cleaner. it was just as cruddy as the throtle body.
It was all gummed up and didn't move./