So I was driving back from Atlanta today when my transmission began having difficulty moving from 2nd-to-3rd and 3rd-to-4th. It kind of sputtered then eventually got in gear. I became extremely worried when the check engine light came up, however, no blinking "up-arrow light" yet.

Here are some specs on my car 1997 Volvo 850, 112k. Its in great mechanical condition. Bought it used in 2005 and has been perfect since.

I'm worried the transmission is going, but its too young. Could it just be the ATF? It is kind of brown(its the color of a semi-reddish jack daniels).


Help me!!! Thanks!

:blush: Think I'd run right to your local mechanic and have the Transmission Oil changed....From your discription of color, I'd bet its been many miles since last change..(Maybe never)
PS..I'd due this before going any distance..Hopefully your Tranny is O.K.
Good Luck

Read the check engine light first. And see what the error code is, and then proceed from there.

If the ATF is rather brownish, then do what your heart is saying.
:)

How do you check the engine codes on a 97?

Took it to Autozone. Got codes P1310 and P0302, Both seem to indicate some sort of pistion misfire.

It turns out its probably not the transmission, but rather it just needed a tune up. This makes sense b/c the tranny light never blinked (the "up arrow") and it was loosing a bit of power which I think accounted for the trouble shifting.

The obvious solution is a tune up at the Volvo mechanic, I dont have much money right now so I cant really get the full service, just a short-term fix. Moreover, I need to drive about 150 miles soon, would it be bad to do it with this problem?

Thanks everyone!

do not drive it in this condition. it is not worth it. talk with the mechanic. it might just be that your wires are old. see if you can do some type of arrangement with him doing the tune-up in increments, even though that is not the best solution. your tune-up, barring any unforeseen problems, shouldn't run you more than any other car. a tune-up is a tune-up, i don't care what the mechanics say. it isn't any more difficult than a small block chevy or a 5.0 ford. plugs wires check timing, crap, it's like i own a ferrari or something. go to a local mechanic who knows what they are doing if the volvo guy is being a shmuck. if you are close enough, there is a good guy in brooklyn that i have heard is good and inexpensive. his name is mitchel zelman and his number is 718-854-8074. good luck and keep us posted. oh yeah, change your tranny oil. like now. use synthetic and don't flush in out with a pump, let i drain out by itself. by flushing it, you might kick up the crud that accumulates naturally in the tranny and the little bits will end up where they shouldn't and then you'll need a tranny. hope this helps. :thumbsup:

Will do, Thanks

Cheers, dude.