Well, I finally experienced my first flashing up arrow on my 94 850 - on the same day that my 98 XC is sitting in the shop.

All the classic symptoms - car started to shift funny, and felt erratic.

Got it home and was praying that I don't have a bad trans. Disconnected the battery and let codes clear - bingo. It fires right up arrow flashes for one second and stops. Car is driving normally. I did toggle the econ/sport/winter switch first several times and the PNP switch was replaced in October of 2009. So I might be able to rule those out.

Prior to the PNP switch replacement in 09, it show no check engine code. After replacement, it has had the trans A2 solenoid switch fault code. Have driven it for two years and no issues.

I am hoping this is a quirk. I am changing the trans fluid (drain method) tomorrow and hope it was an anomaly. I do have a spare transmission ECU (from a 93 sedan (and of course it's a different part number). If the flashing arrow comes back my next step is to remove the trans ecu and make sure it seated firmly - maybe a contact on one the pins.

The car is back to running normally temporarily - but I am crossing fingers that I can solve this one without giant repair dollars.

Bob Weber
SW Ohio