I had my tranny rebuilt 20K ago and now the "L" gear feels liked it's locked up. I can drive in it, but it feels like the brake is on. I don't have this problem in 3 or D. I can get the flashing arrow to appear by shifting around and it throws just a 322 and nothing else. My tranny mechanic (the one who rebuilt it) can't figure out the problem and wants $650 to take it apart (ouch!). Hoping for a Christmas miracle. Fluid is nice and red with no signs of burning. 3 and D seem to function properly (certainly differently!). No codes are thrown when in D or 3. I think my problem is different than 850-j's in an earlier post, since I'm not throwing 232.
thx!

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29930

PNP adjustment procedure with pictures, etc...

if this is a repeat, i apologize.
--
-woodsytf '95 850 wagon 215k

Thanks for the link!

I have a 97 850 glt> when the winter trac is engaged it will start out in 2nd or 3rd gear and feels like the brake is on. I don't know maybe your new transmission has the winter traction option. and it stuck in it.

bob

I do have the winter package and it seems to be working properly. I have used that recently because we got snow the day after Christmas in North Carolina. I actually needed it to get up my driveway!

Just wondering, if you go up to 30-35 and drop it into L will it behave the same way as when you start from 0? Also, will it react differently at about 15mph if you're in Economy vs Sport modes?

If I drop it into L at 35, it runs in 2nd gear normally. I can shift between 3 and L with no flashing arrow. If I drive in L in 2nd and slow down, it shifts into 1st, but will not up-shift. L throws the flashing arrow when it needs to up-shift. It will not up-shift to 2nd if I start in L. If I start from L, there seems to be a resistance when I give it gas, unlike 3 and D where there is no resistance. There is no difference between Econ and Sport modes.

The lock-up you're stuck with, that is how its supposed to work, though it should drop from 2nd into 1st at different speeds..

Also, in D or 3 the transmission engages a different component to be in 1st than it does in L, which enables engine brake in L but not possible in D or 3. I think that's why you have resistance in L, but not the other two..

Getting the PNP switch taken care of should end the code, but I think your tranny is fine..
--
If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?

In the thread, I said that my original tranny had been rebuilt when actually it was replaced with a rebuilt tranny. I had replaced my original PNP with a new one, and evidently it was not used on my new rebuild. It looks like an old PNP on the newly rebuilt tranny. Frustrating to say the least! It seem like every time I make assumptions with a mechanic I'm sorely disappointed (like use the good parts when possible!).

The other thing I should mention is that first gear does seem to lack firmness when starting off. Even my mechanic mentioned that it felt like it was starting out in 2nd gear. I know it's not since I can account for all the gears as it up-shifts.

Thanks for you input on my problem :o)

I don't mean to imply anything about you, just want to say this so please don't take any offense, but many times people don't notice things about the cars for some time, and once you notice it, the "problem" sticks out for some time.. For instance, the first time I do pretty much any repair I am extremely cautious with it for a good 5-10k to make sure I don't ruin the car. After the first time I flushed my tranny I think I checked the fluid every couple of days because I was worried I did something wrong..

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that I think it might be possible you haven't really used L much and notice how quick it decelerates you, as well as the shift-lock. If I read your post right, you noticed the lock-up and that it reacts different in L than it does in 3 and D. When you played around with the shifter the PNP code was set (which takes some time shifting between 3 and L to get it to set). I wouldn't worry too much about the code since it hasn't reappeared and really only showed up when you screwed with it. Anyway, I think due to one of the planets freewheeling vs locked results in the different experience. Mine does it too. If you were nearby I'd want you to drive mine and see what you thought, however you in CA and I'm not. Perhaps you could test drive another 850 and how similar they react (check a craigslist post and see what you find). Sorry about the rambling..

I think you're most worried about the tranny but I wouldn't be. It seems to me that its reacting as it should.
--
If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?

I'm sure your right about the L deceleration. When you said it was normal to do that, I felt relieved and a little foolish since I never really use it. I shifted down into L when I sensed that D was not starting off firmly (if that's the right term), to see how L behaved. Once in L, the up-shift into 2nd didn't happen and I got the flashing arrow and limp-home mode (it should shift into 2nd in L shouldn't it? That's what is says in the manual). This is disturbing to me since I plunked down $2600 a year and a half ago for the rebuild.

I should update my file since I'm now in Chapel Hill, NC. I like your idea of driving another 850; it would put my situation into perspective!

I appreciate you thoughtfulness in considering my situation.

I'll have to check my manual but this is what I have on L:

In this position only the 1st and 2nd gears operate. The warning light on the instrument panel lights. Automatic downshifting occurs, but upshifting is inhibited. If the gear selector is moved to position L at a road speed exceeding approximately 25–40 km/h (ECON) or 10–15 km/h (SPORT) 2nd gear will be engaged. If the speed is reduced to below approx. 25–40 km/h (ECON) or 10–15 km/h (SPORT) downshifting to 1st gear will occur, but upshifting will not occur, regardless of vehicle speed. (The speed variations depend on which engine the transmission is used with and do not apply when the WINTER mode is selected.)

--
If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?

I had 322 more than 1 year ago. Before I saw the very first flashing arrow and limp home mode, I could feel the engine/tranny vibration at low gear acceleration - especially in stop and go traffic. Only happened in low gear. I replaced the PNP switch, no help. Volvo garage (not dealer) also tried to diagnose the problem and they could not find anything wrong electrically. Volvo garage had the car for few days. Finally, I had them to replace the tranny. They concluded that it was internal to the tranny. I hope that your tranny problem is not internal.

Good luck.

Ching-Ho Cheng
--
1995 855 NA, Bilstein Strut & Shocks, Volvo Protective Grill, K&N Filter, E-Code Lens, ClearCorner Light, Alpine CD-Changer, AutoDim RearView Mirror, 6000K HID

Ho,

I suspect you are right about the internal problems. I think I'll drive it into the ground at this point and replace it with a Honda or Toyota. Time is too precious to screw around with these problems.

Happy New Year!

Interesting that it only happens when you select "L". The 322 will cause the tranny to go into limp home mode (3rd gear) which will make it very difficult to accellerate.

If you clear the code is all normal again until you shift to "L"? I suggest you have a loose connection in the PNP switch, at worst a bad PNP switch that needs replacing.

Read the following form the right hand drive Volvo nutters:

The PNP switch itself is a six pole, six way construction. Four poles are used for the actual gear selection. The common (wiper if you like) is connected to ground and the six positions correspond directly to the PRND3L of the gear selector. Any particular position will produce a unique combination of control lines being connect to ground and this is what tells the TCU the currently selected mode. The other two poles are used for starting i.e. whether in P or N, hence the term applied to the switch of inhibitor and the reversing lights…which was actually my problem leading to the switch change, gear selection was perfect, just no reversing lights. Only after fixing them did I break the gear selection!

the location of the above post came from:

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=21291

A great group of people.

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Limp home mode only happen in L. Very strange. Also the fact that when in L it feels like the parking brake is on. I Drive along in L with the acceleration restricted, shift into 3 and it will be in the same gear but won't feel like the brake is on. Shifting back to L and the brake feelsing is on again in the same gear. Weird? I usually have to drive a while and go through the shifting game before I get the flashing arrow. As always, thanks for your help Klaus, I wish you had a shop near by!

I'm going to take the air box out and check all the connections on the PNP and anything else that has wires running to it.

I also wish I had a shop! I told my wife that when I win the Lotto, I am going to buy a garage with a lift. Then I can lend out time to DIY'rs and have room to park a few more Volvos :>)

As to the PNP, one of the tell tail signs is that the back up lights no longer work in R. Rowing the shifter a dozen times from R to L will help clean off the contacts and keep you going for a while. But the PNP switch will have to be replaced eventually, it just wears out.

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

The PNP was changed with the tranny rebuild, but I checked the connection anyway; looks good. I haven't lost the backup lights, so I don't think its the PNP. It does look like the fluid level is about a quart high, but that's how its been since the rebuild. I think I'll at least get the fluid level to where it should be and leave it at that. It drives well if I avoid L. I suppose if something inside is really bad it'll show itself at some point.

Thanks again for you insights!

But that is the whole point of the article I copied from the UK post, the incorrect ratio is because the electrical connection at the PNP is sending mixed signals. Not tranny internals.
The PNP could be off by less than 1mm for adjustment and you will get the error. Or if it is tightened down too tight, not letting the switch make good contact with the "L" plug.

Klaus

--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

So iGGy in part 2 of the thread suggested that vibrational forces could throw it off enough to give the error. Therefore, I should adjust the PNP position slightly and see if there is an effect? I'm game! Is it fair to say that as long as I have reverse lights when in R and the other gears behave properly that the adjustment is correct?

Yes. We are talking a very small movement of the PNP switch. Take a look at the sw while the shifter is in L and make the hairline adjustment to give it 'more L'. Do not overtighten the nut.

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

It's been a while since I messed around with the switch, so I'm not sure if I was adjusting the right thing. I loosened the two nuts holding down the shift cable right before the PNP and made several adjustments in either direction, with no improvement.

Was this the right adjustment point, or is their a specific adjustment on the switch itself?

Those 2 nuts secure the outer cable, changeing the 'travel length' of the inner cable. You need to loosen the nut holding the PNP switch arm itself and adjust that lightly.

If all else fails, clear the code and don't use "L".

Klaus
--
Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

The PNP adjustment didn't seem to effect the problem. I adjusted it incrementally from one extreme to the other. Looks like I'll be avoiding "L" for as long as it runs.

Klaus, thanks again for your suggestions and Happy New Year!

just curious...
why were you using the "L" position?

i have used mine only every third or fourth 'now-and-again' when going down a long, low grade hill to avoid braking (lazy) or perhaps once when riding up a steep hill to keep the tranny from grunting into third at 30 mph uphill.

When it seemed that I was not firmly accelerating from a stop in D, I wanted to see what starting off in L was like. It pretty much snow-balled from there!

i gotcha...


i really doubt that you made the problem worse. it was going to burp these issues up if you shifted or not.

good luck. i'm waiting for another used replacement tranny as i type.
lets all pause for a moment to remember the volvo trannys that have given their lives in our service...






thank you.
--
-woodsytf '95 850 wagon 215k