1997 V90 - The Dreaded Flashing Transmission Lights

Just a quick update for all who have taken an interest in this thread...

After trawling round a couple of local garages this week: "Hi, was wondering if you could scan an OBD code for me..?"
"Yes mate, what car is it?"...
"Volvo..."
"...Sorry, can't do Volvo - try down the road..."

I did some reading up on various websites (I now know more about the OBDII standard than I ever imagined I'd want to - S/V90's and late 960's use the ISO standard), I decided to drop £70 on an OBDII - USB interface from Gendan Automotive Products. Hadn't heard of them before, but theirs was just about the cheapest interface I could find, was only a bit more expensive than the cheapest stand-alone code reader (and I knew I'd have fun with all the parameters available in a software based tool), and it was available for next day delivery. I also downloaded their recommended software from scantool.net which seems pretty good.

Connect everything up to the laptop, scan for codes and sure enough - "P0705 Transmission Range Sensor Circuit malfunction (PRNDL Input)" is detected. This I take to mean that it is indeed the PNP switch playing up.
I take stock and decide to tackle this another day, as it is now dark and my beer is calling to me...

The next day sees the V90 up on axle stands with me poking about underneath. Yes, I see the PNP switch - and I also see the blasted great exhaust pipes right in the way of it - what fool put them there!? Don't fancy the look of that, so I decide to clean up wiring connectors which are at least easily accessible. Disconnect them a give a generous dose of WD40. "If that doesn't fix it it'll be a job for someone else..." I think to myself.
Fit everything back together, let the car down, and turn on...

Bingo! Everything back to normal!

The moral of this tale?

1. Do check the wiring connectors - they're easily accessible, and not at all well protected from the elements (not great design). I guess over the years dirt and/or oxidation works it's way between the contacts.

2. Once I'd cleaned up the connectors, the code reset itself. That's right - in the end I did not really need the OBD interface at all. The car is perfectly capable of sorting itself out (at least in this regard).

Anyway, I now have a new toy to play with (don't mess with the laptop whilst driving!), with lots of interesting info - Throttle position, air mass, O2 readings, speed, etc. I reckon it would not be too hard to knock together a pretty decent tuning app. with this data.

So if anyone else in the East London area needs a code reading or re-setting, just drop me a message and I'd be happy to do it for you.

Cheers,
Nick.

[sidmon]

I might have to come down and abuse your good will! ;o)