850 GLT -93, A/T, Shifting light blinking

Discussion in 'Volvo 850' started by v8_und_sw, Nov 15, 2006.

  1. v8_und_sw

    v8_und_sw Guest

    I have an 850 GLT, 1993, with 47K miles. The shifting yellow arrow in
    the dash started to blink this morning.

    I drove the car today for about 20 miles in heavy traffic conditions,
    the light kept blinking but the car didn´t give any problem at all,
    shifting was as smooth and acurate as usual.

    I saw the maintanence manual and all the say is "take your car to you
    Volvo dealer", and I can bet that they will charge a lot of money for,
    maybe, some small detail.

    Any sugestion or experience?
    Best regards
    Oscar
     
    v8_und_sw, Nov 15, 2006
    #1
  2. Op Wed, 15 Nov 2006 15:37:08 +0100 schreef v8_und_sw

    Oscar,

    I presume your problem refers to an "automatic" 850. Sometimes it can be
    temporarily solved by moving the gear shift handle up and down about 20
    times. At the end a relay has to be replaced. My Volvo dealer adviced me
    to repalce the automatic transmission, far more expensive that replacement
    of the relay, 120 Euro if I remeber well.

    Good luck, Hans
     
    Hans Blondeel Timmerman, Nov 15, 2006
    #2
  3. Oscar

    I have the same model 850 (90,000 miles) as you and the flashing arrow has
    haunted me for years. If you go through the fault codes you may be lucky and
    only have one fault causing the problem. ( I seem to remember the RPM sensor
    was at fault on my car) I replaced the sensor, this cured the problem for
    about a week and the flashing arrow returned, over time I have changed just
    about everything and still the flashing arrow is there. ( the error codes
    seldom are the same)

    Its worth noting that in all this time the gearbox has behaved impeccably
    and still does, it changes up and down in all modes as sweet as a
    nut..........so I just live with a flashing arrow. Did a 2000 mile trip this
    summer to the south of France, with no problems.

    On a lot of early 850's there was a problem with the auto gearbox and many
    were changed under warranty and my car was one of these. At this time an
    extra 'earthing'(?) wire was fitted by Volvo and seems to come from the PNP
    switch, going to the ECU, so it might be worth checking that there is no
    corrosion affecting any wires.

    The PNP switch (beneath the air cleaner mounted on the gearbox) does get
    full of dust, so shifting the box through all its positions can help to
    clean the contacts and clear the error.

    I have now done something like 30,000 miles with the 'flash', so have given
    up worring about it, Speaking with other early 850 owners its a common
    problem. ( maybe something to do with the changing of the auto boxes on 1993
    cars).

    One 'cure' is to cut a piece of black tape about 1/2" square and stick it
    over the 'flash'. If you cant see it then you tend not to worry about it.

    ttfn......Alistair


    I have an 850 GLT, 1993, with 47K miles. The shifting yellow arrow in
    the dash started to blink this morning.

    I drove the car today for about 20 miles in heavy traffic conditions,
    the light kept blinking but the car didn´t give any problem at all,
    shifting was as smooth and acurate as usual.

    I saw the maintanence manual and all the say is "take your car to you
    Volvo dealer", and I can bet that they will charge a lot of money for,
    maybe, some small detail.

    Any sugestion or experience?
    Best regards
    Oscar
     
    Alistair Ross, Nov 15, 2006
    #3
  4. v8_und_sw

    v8_und_sw Guest

    Many thanks Alistar, I had the problem with the PRN Switch, and I
    bypassed it, never again had any new problem with starting the car.
    I believe that maybe there is a corroded or damaged wire, I´ll try it,
    and in the other hand I´m going to purchase the black tape, is the
    best solution!!!

    Best regards
    Oscar

    Alistair Ross ha escrito:
     
    v8_und_sw, Nov 16, 2006
    #4
  5. v8_und_sw

    v8_und_sw Guest

    Thanks Hans, I agree, I bet that a relay is giving problems, this car
    was parked 18months!
    Best regards
    Oscar

    Hans Blondeel Timmerman ha escrito:
     
    v8_und_sw, Nov 16, 2006
    #5
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