new owner 99 v70xc awd, tranny, power seat, reverse, other..

RichSad · Post by **RichSad** » 19 Dec 2009, 13:37

Hi all, glad to have found this site. I just bough a 1999 v70xc awd with 145,000. It is my first ever Volvo. Only had it 3 days so far but growing very fond of it. Some questions:

When driving at highway speeds, there is a decisive clunking noise when the transmission shifts into 4th gear. It is smooth into all other gears. But this is a loud clunk. How concerned should I be about this?

In reverse there is a noisy sound that seems to be coming from rear differential. It does not make the noise when going forward. Should I care? It is a 10 year old vehicle!

Probably my biggest issue is the passenger side power seat doesn't work. Drivers side works fine. Owners manual says there are no fuses for the power seats, just "custom circuit breakers". Is it reasonable to assume then that the problem is the motor and not this custom circuit breaker? Does anyone know what it costs to fix the power seats? The seat heat works fine, the problem is the power seat positioning system.

The netting that goes from the rear seat to block off the back of the wagon seem to be missing a part or two. There is no rod on the short side (left). It also seems there must be something between the left and right for the middle. Anyone know where I can get spare parts for the netting?

Likewise the right fog light grill is missing. Where does one find such parts (other than ebay of course)?

Thanks. So far I am loving the wagon. Getting a blizzard here in Massachusetts later today so I will be using the AWD! Love the stereo!

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Dec 2009, 14:13

Welcome to MVS,

The Aisin Warner transmissions can start to shift roughly if the transmission fluid is old. I'm not sure which fluid your transmission uses as all of my cars either have a stick or are older models that use plain ATF, yours is newer and it may require the expensive JWS 3309 transmission fluid - check your owners manual. We have a couple of very good threads on flushing the transmission fluid pinned in the repair database but a full flush takes a lot of fluid so you might be better off doing a couple of drain and fills.

For your power seat try swapping the driver's side and passenger's side circuit breakers and see if the problem follows the breaker. If it does the breakers are dirt cheap at any auto parts store.

For the other trim parts try erie vovo, they have a link at the top of the page. They are best called on the phone and not emailed, you get a quicker response.

...Lee

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 19 Dec 2009, 15:26

I agree with Lee in regards to your transmission problem. I would try flushing it.

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 Dec 2009, 15:31

A '99 still uses Dexron-III. Some 2000 and all newer models use the 3309 fluid.

Does the clunk happen once it gets to 4th gear or once the torque converter locks up? Pay attention to the gear changes, 4th gear is around 35-45, and then listen/look for an 'extra' shift ~ 55-60 mph.

If the noise is only in reverse at this point, I wouldn't worry about it.

It's possible a transmission flush would help both these problems, so that's a good place to start!

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 19 Dec 2009, 16:45

For That grille, MYVOLVOPARTSONLINE (ad at top of this page) has the grille new. It's only $11, I'll be ordering one after the holidays.

Any of you guys know what the rpm shift points are on the '99 transmissions? mine revs at 2500 rpm at 70 mph keeping steady on the gass. It sounds high, like there should be one more gear. I listen, but the car is so noisy I can't hear the shifts.

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 Dec 2009, 16:56

mine revs at 2500 rpm at 70 mph

That sounds normal to me. Remember, the engines are relatively small on these for a heavy car, and the power band is from ~2300+ rpms. That lets it be right in the power range on the highway without having to downshift on big hills. My 4 cylinder cars were all ~ 3000 rpms at 75 in 5th gear.

I think there needs to be a shorter 1st gear on the Volvo and something in between 1st and 2nd ratios. That would improve city gas mileage and acceleration. Maybe they fixed that in the 5-speed auto ones

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 19 Dec 2009, 17:10

Hey Jack. What's your car like off the line? Mines a slug at first, but then winds up really fast. It feels almost like it's pulling out from underneath me. If it were an older American car I'd say the timing was a little retarded. My mechanic says it's fine, that's the way European cars are.

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 Dec 2009, 17:24

It's an absolute cow off the line. My girlfriend's Civic will beat the snot out of it til about 30. The T5 model has absolutely no pickup under 2500 rpms - that's where the GLT and XC models shine, but the power comes on in a rush after that, especially from 50-75. That slow take-off and heavy weight is great in snow and rain though

If you want to increase the pickup off the line, try out this:
http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread ... 485&page=2
I'm gonna try on mine once winter goes away.

RichSad · Post by **RichSad** » 19 Dec 2009, 17:50

Thanks everyone for the info. I will try flushing the tranny fluid. Blizzard has just arrived here and I'm sure I will get the chance to check out the effectiveness of the AWD! I used to have a 2003 Acura MDX and I am hoping the XC has similar properties in the snow. The MDX was fantastic in snow.

Post by **jblackburn** » 19 Dec 2009, 17:53

My parents used to have the exact same car! They're such great cars - I can't even stand to look at any of the new Acuras