2003 V70 Transmission Service Required

geekboy · Post by **geekboy** » 25 Jan 2010, 18:27

I am a BMW guy; my wife can't stand them so when she totaled her 5 Series, she got the car she has always wanted- a Volvo. She purchased a 2003 V70 around the 1st of December 2009. We have had a few minor issues with it since then. I was surprised as it was purchased from a dealer and had been fully maintained by the dealer and given the reputation of a Volvo, I would have thought it would be more reliable.

Anyway, the problem at hand is the "Transmission Service Required" light is now on. Sunday morning, my wife came running into the house saying there is a problem with the transmission and she can't turn the car off. I went out to the car and was able to turn it off no problem. I restarted the car and sure enough, the TSR warning was on. My wife said that it seemed sluggish and when she pulled up to the house, she couldn't turn it off, that warning sign came on, a yellow triangle warning light and "check engine" light all came on.

I drove the car around the block and notice no problems. I saw nothing leaking and could not smell anything burning. I drove it up to Autozone to get some tranny fluid and the engine light went out. I check the manual, but could not find where to put the fluid in. I opened the hood and saw no transmission fluid fill tube. I went into Autozone, but they were of no help, so I drove home.

Now it's Monday. The car has been driven about 200 miles since this issue and no problems other than the warning light. Is this a regular scheduled maintenance that needs to be done (it has about 95k miles)? Is there a major issue? Is the maintenance something I could do myself? If so, how do I reset the warning light?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 25 Jan 2010, 19:16

Hello, Get a code reader. They say some auto parts stores let you borrow one to read codes. They say some employees won't ALLOW YOU to hit the clear button due to silly concerns over liability. I say get your own code reader (share it with friends) then look up the code(s) at OBDll.com. The trannie dipstick is yellow. It's beneath the air intake accordian tube just to the driver's side of center. Look down. It has a locking tab which must be pushed away slightly to remove. At 95K you'll need a trannie flush if it hasn't been done yet. Search this board for posts on the code you find. I'm assuming the warning light you refer to is the check engine light. Please post back and tell us what you do and learn. Kira

Post by **OEMVolvoParts** » 26 Jan 2010, 09:00

Hi, you are very lucky you didn't put "tranny fluid" into the car. You didn't mention if checked your owners manual for the right fluid or not. Autozone is not going to know that is for sure. Anything except the JWS3309 trans fluid and the car will not move.

It is very possible all you need is a software update from Volvo. Sometimes that will make a large change, other times it's minimal. Best to take it to a shop with VIDA or the dealer to check if there is an update available, they will not know if there is one available until it is plugged into the computer. Sounds strange, but it is the only way to check for an update.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 26 Jan 2010, 09:05

Hello geekboy, The p/n of the TCM download which helped my 2002 non-turbo was 30677036. It was installed in May of 2009. Post back and tell us what you do and learn. Kira

geekboy · Post by **geekboy** » 26 Jan 2010, 10:34

Thanks Kira and Parts Guy. I'll let you know.

Post by **confused_al** » 26 Jan 2010, 10:54

MyVolvoPartsOnline wrote:Anything except the JWS3309 trans fluid and the car will not move.

What about Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF ? According to mobil website, it is "

Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF is formulated for use in most North American, European and Asian vehicles.

* Approved for Allison C-4 applications

* Exceeds JASO 1-A performance standard

* Also suitable for use in vehicles that specify the following fluid requirements:
o Audi G 052 025-A2, G 052 162-A1
o BMW LA2634
o Esso LT 71141
o ETL-7045E, ETL-8072B, N402
o Ford* MERCON*, MERCON V, MERCON LV
o All 2005 and earlier GM vehicles**
o Honda ATF-Z1*
o Hyundai SP-II, SP-III
o Idemitsu K17
o JWS 3309
o Kia SP-II, SP-III
o MAN 339F, V1, V2, Z1, Z2, Z3
o Mazda ATF-III, ATF-MV
o Mercedes-Benz 236.1, 236.2, 236.5, 236.6, 236.7, 236.9
o Mitsubishi Diamond SP-II, SP-III
o Nissan Matic-D, Matic-J, Matic-K
o Subaru ATF
o Toyota T-III, T-IV
o Voith 55.6335.XX (G607, G1363)
o Volvo 97340
o ZF TE-ML 03D, 04D, 09, 14A, 14B, 16L, 17C"
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... c_ATF.aspx

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 26 Jan 2010, 19:43

Hello confused_al, Sure! The Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF and others have finally gotten around to adding the JWS3309 specification to their products. I guess the license to use and sell the JWS3309 chemicals was held exclusively by the companies which bought "transmission production rights" from AW. Toyota, Volvo etc. had their own name and part number on the new stuff. Even though Mobil itself sold 3309, I assume from "day 1", it was hard to find. A huge parts distributor/warehouse near me couldn't get it from their Mobil distributor. I'd have no problem using Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF. The original 3309 is a mineral based fluid, therefore cheaper. I'll be doing my driveway maintenance with it and the cases of Toyota Type-IV I've already bought. If I start using my car in extreme conditions I'll switch to synthetic. My "double bump" was diagnosed by a Volvo dealer as a valve body problem. I'm working on the asumption that a synthetic won't cure my ill. It could be worth the money to experiment. Everybody says synthetic is magic. Kira

Post by **confused_al** » 27 Jan 2010, 08:26

Georgeandkira wrote:The original 3309 is a mineral based fluid, therefore cheaper. I'll be doing my driveway maintenance with it and the cases of Toyota Type-IV I've already bought.

There is much discussed over different forums about this ATF thing. My point is to find JWS 3309 compatible (mobil synthetic became 3309 compatible a year ago), unless someone wants to pay for JWS 3309.
This is what I found last year;
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=18209
BTW, JWS 3309 is synthetic as suppose to Mobil ATF 3309, which is mineral based. I think type-IV is also mineral based (I could be wrong on this).
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... _3309.aspx

UCrazyKid · Post by **UCrazyKid** » 16 Dec 2010, 11:19

Hi! I'm glad I found this thread. I have had a similar experience to the OPs and I am wondering what the outcome was. What did the OBD scanner find? I need to take my car in as the check engine light is still on, however the car is running fine. I have a feeling that the transmission just over heated after 30-40 minutes of idling with a foot on the brake as we drove through a park looking at a Christmas light display.

I do plan on getting the car scanned, but just curious what others outcomes were. I had the transmission flushed with 3309 at ~60K miles and we are now at 83K miles. Fluid condition is good (pink).

Thanks!
Andy

Post by **priapism** » 16 Dec 2010, 18:42

MyVolvoPartsOnline wrote:Anything except the JWS3309 trans fluid and the car will not move.

Melodramatic much?

We had this issue last week. My guess is a solenoid got gummed up, because it wasn't shifting right, then suddenly the light went out and everything returned to normal. Have you used any additives lately? A drain / fill wouldn't hurt and would give you an idea of how your trans has been treated. The easiest way to get 3309 is to go to a Toyota dealer and buy their Type IV ATF. Drain / fill is a 20 minute job if you're handy with things.