'92 960 - WSE Christmas Tree?

Question

Seems we have some kind of transmission problem. This morning I find the Winter / Econo / Sport indicators flashing between themselves - either W-E-W-E or S-E-S-E - and the dash arrow flashing too. I checked the OBD-1 codes, and get five:

1-1-4
2-2-3
1-2-4
2-1-3
3-1-3

I change the selector a few times, just on the off-chance it's susceptible to symparthetic magic, but no joy. I power off, come back to check the codes, and everything seems fine again.

Anyone care to offer a most likely cause for this? I assume I need to get it looked at ASAP, but I'd also like to be sure I can trust it enought ot get to a mechanic and I'd prefer to be forearmed with some understanding of the likely cause. And the likely [gulp] cost...

Thanks all,

Robert Smith

Peter Milnes · Accepted Answer

Possibility that you may need a software update which can only be done at thedealers. The box is an AW3040 or AW 3043 and is electronically controlled.Cheers, Peter.: Seems we have some kind of transmission problem. This morning I find: the Winter / Econo / Sport indicators flashing between themselves -: either W-E-W-E or S-E-S-E - and the dash arrow flashing too. I checked: the OBD-1 codes, and get five::: 1-1-4: 2-2-3: 1-2-4: 2-1-3: 3-1-3:: I change the selector a few times, just on the off-chance it's: susceptible to symparthetic magic, but no joy. I power off, come back: to check the codes, and everything seems fine again.:: Anyone care to offer a most likely cause for this? I assume I need to: get it looked at ASAP, but I'd also like to be sure I can trust it: enought ot get to a mechanic and I'd prefer to be forearmed with some: understanding of the likely cause. And the likely [gulp] cost...:: Thanks all,:: Robert Smith::

Robert Smith · Answer

A software update?? Bit late for a Y2K bug, I would have thought. But it would still have to be a response to a change in some envirnmental factor, wouldn't it? I don't know if it's safe to assume that the software would be re-IPL'ed each time the key was turned off; but if so, then I'd expect the condition not to repeat.

I found some info on

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that may implicate the PNP switch (Plug 'n Play??) . And, given the history of the car, I'd be inclined to suspect electrical connections again, as EVERYthing that's been at fault in the last year has been electrical.

Thanks for the response, though. It opens yet another avenue of possibilities.

Robert Smith

Mike F · Answer

This is a classic problem with the gear selector position (aka neutral) switch. The transmission computer gets a bad signal and gets confused as to what position the gear lever is supposed to be in, so when the transmission does something unexpected, all kinds of codes are set. Turning the car off resets everything (except the trouble code memory) and the transmission computer will be happy if the switch is now making proper contact. Try clearing the codes, moving the shifter rapidly from P to L 15-20 times and see what happens. This may be enough to clean the switch, but if this happens again, you'll need to replace the switch. It's mounted on the side of the transmission right above the exhaust pipe.

Robert Smith · Answer

Thanks muchly. I've reset the codes, and will wait to see if the condition recurs. This is the second time we've had "random" OBD events - last time, it was the O2 sensor. Reset the code, and it's never happened again. This car came out of Toronto around a year ago; got to wonder whether ten years of Toronto summers and winters might not have something to do with its electrical bugs.

Robert Smith

'92 960 - WSE Christmas Tree?

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