Help 960 auto gearbox

[mitsiwarrior]

Hi all.I have just acquired a 960 2.5 auto 1995.The auto box appears to be in the safety mode.The e s w lights are flashing.w always flashes.I can change
from e to s by clicking those two buttons.Whichever is selected also flashes
as well as the w light.When driving the car it is very slow to pull away and no
gearchange is apparent as it builds up speed.I have read the info already here and have tried a reset procedure of running the car and then turning off,select N and turn ignition on for 4 secs.Off again select P and ignition on again for 4 secs.This made no difference.I also tried moving the lever from P to L 30 times and again no difference.Any additional info would be welcome.

[grass hopper]

Hi,need to read the fault code,might come back with gear position sensor fault,changed a few for being faulty.

[cumbrianmale]

Sounds like it is stuck in winter mode. This starts in 3rd so nothing happens till you get a good few revs on from memory 1200ish then pulls slowly.

Think you will need to get under the car and check the electrical connections also look round the gear lever in the centre console.

Take a look at the 700/900 FAQ's particullarly these.

[GavinC]

For several years now, my 960 autobox - after engine switchoff and overnight standing - has very occasionally shifted tranny modes seemingly by itself and stuck in 'Winter' mode exhibiting the symptoms you describe. Mine plays up in very cold weather, but only occasionally - p'raps just once a year.

A Forum poster reco'd the following: Switch ignition OFF, quickly 'row' the box selector lever from P to L and back about 12-20 times... restart engine and select D when you wish to move off.

For me, this remedy has always resulted in the autobox immediately reverting to operating as it should. Be aware that the warning arrow on the dash and the 'light' on the gear selector modes usually continue flashing for quite some time before going out. NB However I also know that my tranny *should* (touch wood) be OK as evidenced by correct ATF/tranny fluid level and colour.

I understand that it is most likely caused by a 'gummy' tranny (PNP?) switch which is an inexpensive item but not so easy to access requiring disproportionate time/labour compared to the cost of the switch.

I hope this helps at least temporarily. More knowledgeable posters than myself might like to agree or disagree with my advice 'cos I'd not want to give you a bum steer as an American might say. Of course, the proper remedy is to renew the switch.

[mitsiwarrior]

I followed Gavin C's instructions and heypresto out of safety mode.Many Thanks to Gavin.

[BooksintheVolvo]

Afternoon,

I is new (as in about 10 minutes ago) and just checking out the issue with the Volvo 960 3.0 (H, 1990) that has arrived. The "arrow" on the dash is flashing, along with the "w" to the left of the gear stick. No engine managment (if it has one) flashing. I mistakenly pressed the button (w) thinking I was in my old Merc and that's when it started. Coincidence or a real issue?

Ta,

David

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by BooksintheVolvo

Afternoon,

I is new (as in about 10 minutes ago) and just checking out the issue with the Volvo 960 3.0 (H, 1990) that has arrived. The "arrow" on the dash is flashing, along with the "w" to the left of the gear stick. No engine managment (if it has one) flashing. I mistakenly pressed the button (w) thinking I was in my old Merc and that's when it started. Coincidence or a real issue?

Ta,

David

Welcome aboard David, to be honest, you'd probably be better off starting a new thread and giving details of your car, the gearbox it has and anything else you can think of that might be relevant - no matter how insignificant or obvious it might seem.

Couple of things to check are the fluid level in the box and the colour of it and when it was last changed. Also is yours a V6 or a straight 6? From your description with the Winter mode, it sounds like a straight 6, some very early 960s had the B280E V6 and were 2.8, not 3.0, very rare though.

[jonnyf90]

Originally Posted by mitsiwarrior

I followed Gavin C's instructions and heypresto out of safety mode.Many Thanks to Gavin.

I learnt this trick off Steve aka doingitsideways when I delivered an S90 to him with this problem!

A change of the ATF should do it some good, too

Cheers