So I've gotten the dreaded flashing arrow in the past, and it would always go away if I cleared the codes and did the "row your boat" routine. Never came back more than once a year or so. At any rate, we used it to tow our new-to-us lightweight pop-up camper over to the coast last week. On the way back, the flashing arrow came on just as we were heading up hill. We stopped, cleared the code, and tried to continue, but it kept coming back. At one point, we were stuck going up hill for several miles before we could pull off, and we could smell hot transmission fluid, but RPMs never got above 3,500. Fortunately, we had a half quart with us, and that was enough to replace what was lost. From there, we were able to get home without any more difficulty. Now I'm in the middle of replacing the PNP and can see that the fluid was coming up out of the air vent, which was obviously damaged in the process. Any thoughts on how much damage may have happened? What to do about it?

I'm thinking a manual transmission V-70 may be in our future. Would that be a better tow vehicle? Any thoughts about that? The trailer is under 1,000 lbs.

Thanks for any comments,
--Bud

Here's a photo of it


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'96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon

I wonder if the temperature sensor for the AFT is any good. It should have forced the tranny to 3rd gear even in "D".
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

what code did you clear?

The code was 755, if memory serves. I didn't write it down ...
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'96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon

Normally, when the ATF gets too hot, the transmission drops to third. That gets the pump moving faster and hopefully cools off the ATF. You were just assuming that the PNP failed, next time pay attention to the codes and write them down so you don't forget

A P0755 is a bit more serious. The B2 solenoid has malfunctioned. This could be due to heat or dirt. Replacement is somewhat difficult and rather expensive.

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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Sorry, it was 705, more specific to the PNP. I'd say my memory is not what it used to be, but it never was, so I guess I can't complain about that. Reverse lights had been pretty flaky, as well. Finally finished putting the car back together, but after a short test drive, I see the fluid is no longer a nice reddish color, more like brown. So it sits in the driveway another week before I can flush the transmission.

Thank you all!
--Bud

Still thinking of a V70, I see a comment in Erwin's recent threads about 2001-2 being something to avoid. Can someone give me a quick recap? Is it the throttle control? I thought that had been fixed with a recall ...
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'96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon

The ETM was 'fixed' by 2001, but then comes the 5 speed autobox and failures. Plus, all of the new unproven electronics in 2001-2 with the new body style and it becomes something to avoid. You will find them very cheap but not worth it.
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

A thousand pounds was not too much for your transmission as long as the fluid was routinely changed, the cooling system was up to snuff, and you were good about not forcing it to change gears all the time. For example, I pull huge horse trailers with automatics instead of manuals these days. I turn off the over drive.

Yes, it's better to have an extra cooler, but staying a slower speed in a one gear should have been fine at that weight. Sounds like your tranny fluid was overheating.

I would flush the whole transmission, and give a check to make sure that the radiator and so forth is up to snuff.

Thanks to you both, nice to have the reassurance! I'm using Mobil 1 synthetic, and will give it a flush once I get the PNP replaced. Whew!

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'96 850T and '83 244 DL both at about 200K, '97 850T5; gone but not forgotten '81 245 and '64 Amazon

I can't answer your questions but in my experience, automatics make better tow vehicles. But a supplemental ATF cooler is always a good idea.

Fwiw, in 2010 I towed a 3,000 lb U-Haul trailer with a loaded 1995 auto trans 855T from Virginia to Memphis which included some moderate climbs in the Smokey Mountains. A 15 hour run with temps in the mid 80s.

I kept the speed and boost reasonable and the car has been reliable. Well, except for today when I'm looking for answers to a problem with reverse four years later. ;^)

I'd be surprised if a 1,000 lb trailer was excessive unless you're exceeding GVWR with the total load (vehicle + trailer + people + stuff)

Good luck,

Erwin

In my older car a 92 or 94 940 I was going up hill and the car wouldn't start again after the rest area vist near the top! But it did a few minutes after that. Perhaps it got hot but could cool down and will be even more refreshed with a partial flush.