Transmission Requires Service

[gazfish1]

Hi All,

My first post so be gentle with me. I've got a lot of usefull information in the past from this forum but I sense a wallet busting situation about to hit and would appreciate any oppinions.
I've had my V70 for 2 years and apart from the cooling fan failing nothing major has ever gone wrong and its a brilliant car for long journeys. The wife reported that the above message appeared and the car went into limp home mode and wouldnt rev past 2000. The gearbox had been clonking off the line for a while but I read this was normal and due to the great fuel saving idea of being in neutral at the lights.
Anyway, its booked into a main dealer for diagnosis on Wednesday and I've read horror stories of transmissions needing to be replaced when others have had a similar message.
My main question is that the transmission fluid is a brown colour on the dipstick, is this correct or should it be clear?

Thanks for any assistance,
Gary

[njb8199]

Gary,

Sorry to break the bad news to you, but you do need a new transmission. Common with 2001 S60/V70 and T6 powered XC90 and S80's.

Been there, done that.

Best way to avoid this reoccurence when you get your new transmission installed is to have the latest transmission software updates installed and change the fluid regularly. Every 30k miles or so.

NO, and I mean, NO fluid is lifetime fluid!

[hastee]

what he said times 2.

def change the fluid. best advice out there.

[gazfish1]

Thanks for the responses....I think

Just burst my optimistic bubble !

Not a great situation, new box is probably similar to the market value of the car or more but car is scrap without it. Ho hum.
I had read about the software update and mentioned it to the dealer at the last service, he knew nothing about it but had updated the engine management software to resolve the idle hunting.
Guess I'll invest the money in the box, change the fluid regularly and run the car until I think I've got my money's worth.

Cheers,
Gary

[njb8199]

Sorry!

Also, beware of ETM failures as well as you have a '01.....

Those are the only two big worry spots on those cars. ETM's and transmissions. Put in the new 'box, change fluids regularly and it should last you quite a bit of time.

[jjwoomer]

This is a Volvo dealer and he claims to not know about the software update? I'd be running from that place, my dealer performed that free of charge long time ago without even asking!

If you want you might just change the fluid (3309 type) and see what happens. IF YOU DIY, you are looking at less than $100 if you shop around for the fluid (Toyota type IV) at the Toyota dealer is a good choice or shop the net for Mobil 3309. I recently found a new Mobile product call All Vehicle ATF that stated on the back it was 3309 compliant. I don't think anyone has reported using it yet, so can't say much other than you might find this at the local car parts store. If you are not willing to DYI, then it will cost a lot more and I'd not recommend trying it, as i don't think your chance of success is very high.

Jerry

[gazfish1]

I think the threat of litigation keeps the US dealers on their toes compared to the clowns over here, a common fault like this probably brings in good revenue despite the negative publicity.

Out of curiosity, is it purely the lack of regular fluid changes that results in an internal failure of these transmissions or is there a more fundamental design problem and what actually breaks?
In an old school transmission I'd expect the bands or clutches to start slipping as the first sign of problems but I guess the electronics masks all that.

Cheers,
Gary

[njb8199]

Quote, originally posted by gazfish1 »

I think the threat of litigation keeps the US dealers on their toes compared to the clowns over here, a common fault like this probably brings in good revenue despite the negative publicity. Out of curiosity, is it purely the lack of regular fluid changes that results in an internal failure of these transmissions or is there a more fundamental design problem and what actually breaks? In an old school transmission I'd expect the bands or clutches to start slipping as the first sign of problems but I guess the electronics masks all that. Cheers, Gary

There are two very common failure reasons.

1.) software - the stop neutral software was really hard on the transmission. Once Volvo realized this, they started phasing out the feature in subsequent software updates.

2.) fluid changes - as I said earlier, no fluid is a lifetime fluid!

[gazfish1]

Just got the car back from the Stealer and it needs a new transmission solenoid block which means they'll do a flush and refill as part of the replacement.
Relieved that I don't need a new transmission.....yet !
Asked again about the software update and he was insistant that the neutral-stop upgrade was not available on my transmission version.
So I guess I must have some bespoke system
I'll get a second opinion as in all other respects I think its a great family car and I hope to get a few more years service from it.

Gary

[850arrrsaylikepirate]

Quote, originally posted by gazfish1 »

Asked again about the software update and he was insistant that the neutral-stop upgrade was not available on my transmission version. So I guess I must have some bespoke system I'll get a second opinion as in all other respects I think its a great family car and I hope to get a few more years service from it. Gary

I have never heard of this. I am pretty sure all '01 transmission can have the software update. Your dealer is on crack!
I had mine done within the first few days of ownership. To bad that the tranny already had 50k miles on it

I am a sole believer that the "neutral stop" feature is a major culprit to the death of so many '01 trannys (like njb8199 stated).

[gazfish1]

Went to another local Volvo garage recommended to me and what do you know, they were able to update the software with the stop-neutral removed and did a tranmisssion fluid flush.
They said they've tried replacing the solenoid block before and it was a waste of time/money and recommended seeing if the flush and software resolved the problem before thowing money at hardware.
It certainly seems to drive better and the warning light hasnt re-appeared.
Thanks for all the advise which may have saved me a few quid.

Gary.

[jjwoomer]

I'd say so've found a better and more knowledgeable (honest) dealer!

Jerry