Volvo 850S Auto Box problem

[drover81]

Not quite LR related, but I thought at least someone here would be well informed to know the answer(s).... :)

My parents 850S Volvo (230k km) auto box has started misbehaving, well, when it's cold.

When cold, and in D, the box won't change into 3rd or 4th. When in 3, it'll change up to 3. Go from 3 to D, and it'll stay in 3rd, but won't go any further.

After 6-10km, the box warms up and then it'll shift fine, works as it should.

Any advice on (a) the problem, and (b) solution?

My advice is for them to change the car... but I've been saying that since they bought it 10yrs ago :D

Cheers

[sclarke]

Get it serviced.....

Most of the Volvo's ive had with ZF or BW boxes like a oil change every 30,000km

The 850 box is known for its problems if not serviced to the book...
Take it to a GOOD independant Volvo Workshop, Dealers now days are just part of the PAG and they dont know 850's and older Volvo like the smaller guys who have been around 30 years or so

[justinc]

I'm not as familiar with the 850 series as I should be, but the symptoms are usually related to a sticking governor assembly...Being a front wheel drive, IF they are still using the ZF 4HP18 or 22(Similar to Saab 9000 configuration) then the governor sticking is a strong possibility. Of course, Saab etc went to Aisin transmissions in the 900S from 1994, so in all probability Volvo followed suit? In which case, I know nothing about THEM:p

Sorry I can't help further.

JC

[Blknight.aus]

based on the elementary autos stuff you might just be looking at the wrong oil, not enough oil or too low and oil level, however assuming that its been serviced regularly and properly and ATM it has the right amount of the right oil in it and the pump is ok then it might be a case of a govenor fault. Repairing that means at least partially dissasembling the box but there are a half a dozen galleries or so that can become a little clagged that will cause the same symptoms AND if the primary relief valve spring is not allowing the pump to develop full pressure similar symptoms can develop.

While muprhy dictates its going to be the govenor valving itself It might be worth the effort of running a proper flush through the box before investing in heavy mechanical effort..

[drover81]

Get it serviced.....

Most of the Volvo's ive had with ZF or BW boxes like a oil change every 30,000km

The 850 box is known for its problems if not serviced to the book...
Take it to a GOOD independant Volvo Workshop, Dealers now days are just part of the PAG and they dont know 850's and older Volvo like the smaller guys who have been around 30 years or so

They're in Rockhampton, and they used to get it religiously serviced by an independant Volvo specialist, but he retired a few years ago (and I regret to say, passed away not long after retiring - top bloke and a real shame to lose someone like him, young too considering...:()

Since then, it's been done by a number of (non-Volvo) independants, regulary to schedule too, but who knows what actually has been done...

I don't know the technical details of the car, so I would have no idea about the gearbox models etc.

Thanks.