1995 Volvo 850 112000miles running perfectly then one week ago dash board lights go off when engine is running and then flashing arrow comes on dashboard plus car can only drive at about 10mph also winter mode switch light also flashes. By lifting off ECU lid and relacing and disconnecting battery to posssibly reboot the computer the flashing lights stop and car can drive again but fault has recurred twice more Then car goes into i will not fire up mode for half an hour and then starts ok HELP PLEASE

Engine/transmission fault. You can disconnect the battery for 5 minutes to clear the computer if it returns you have a problem.

probly trans issue--automatics are very complex and w age of car cud be many things-u can du fluid change-but dont flush it-that gimmic kills trannys-----u cud add a cleaner like'seafoam'--ajustn linkage mite help as well a tv cable on the engine intake------but a bad torque converter--pump--solenoids or cloged valve body is a strong thot--hav an honest transmission specialist testdrive car--dont rush any decision-get othr opinions 1st---u can buy jaspar trans w 100,000 mi warranty-dont git that at no rebuild shop

The check engine light comes on and stays on when a problem is detected by the self diagnosis system of your vehicle. Generally, the problem is in the emissions or something that is affecting the effectiveness of the emissions, but other causes can trigger the light to come on, too. To determine the cause, the vehicle will need to be taken to AutoZone or a shop that has an OBD2 scanner, or for 1995 and earlier models, an OBD1 scanner, While a scanner will not give you the magic answer, it will give you a code that narrows down the problem area.

The lights indicate a problem with the transmission. The fact that the engine wont start, leads me to believe that the PNP (neutral safety switch) is the problem. You will have to have the vehicle scanned to make sure.

New bulbs. OR you may have a foulty dimmer unit (just above the rear fog-light switch)

Replace ignition switch.

Yes, it's the 'pnp' switch (also known as the inhibitor switch) which is on the side of the transmission.

I own 2 Volvo 960s (3 litre automatics) which are similar in many respects ... and have that flashing arrow. It's a well known fault and you don't have much to worry about.

Rather than write it all here, you can read what I wrote as an ebay guide about it at http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-960-Automatic_W0QQugidZ10000000003233806

I did put similar info on my website at http://www.glennsmart.btinternet.co.uk/volvo960.html with photos

Though the ebay guide is better ...

If you haven't got time to read it ... forget the flashing arrow and put a bit of black tape over it ... My wife's car has (192,000 miles) had that arrow flashing for 3 years. My car (100,000 miles) has had that flashing arrow since I bought it 1 year ago.

I did change the pnp on both cars ... but you also need to have the computer error reset by Volvo to have the light extinguished. Don't worry ... keep driving.

Where roy might have a possible source, it is most likely the park neutral switch which has started to fail. This is indicated by the shift arrow flashing on the dash. Replacement of this component is relatively difficult without a lift

I recently purchased a 2002 S60 D5 which had this problem. I am not a Volvo expert so don't know if it could be the same fault, but it sounds identical. No lights, gauges etc, but intermittently and very briefly comes on. Having heard some silly prices for replacement dash and ECU, I had a look. I found 4 poor soldered joints on the dash circuit board (top left processor & heat sink). I cleaned them and re-soldered them, although I had continuity just after cleaning the corrosion. The dashboard has worked perfectly since (3 weeks) . If you try this make sure you disconnect the battery first or you may have the SRS airbag warning light on! (I had to have it re-set at the dealers!!)

The whole process took less than an hour. If you are not electronically savvi get one of your mates who is to have a look..

You have a fault recorded in the transmission control module. Retrieve the code for more info.

Bret
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