Should I trust the dealership? My transmission dilemma.

Post by **JRL** » 11 Jun 2010, 06:06

Good luck.
I find it does in fact take up to a few hundred miles to adapt after flushing, software, adaption reset, etc.

It is amazing that when some proper work and maintenance is done to these cars that they can be as new.
The difference between Volvos and most other brands is that, yes, you WILL spend more money on them, but they can drive almost the same as new at 150K miles after some resurection work is performed.

scottymac · Post by **scottymac** » 11 Jun 2010, 06:53

JRL wrote:Good luck.
I find it does in fact take up to a few hundred miles to adapt after flushing, software, adaption reset, etc.

It is amazing that when some proper work and maintenance is done to these cars that they can be as new.
The difference between Volvos and most other brands is that, yes, you WILL spend more money on them, but they can drive almost the same as new at 150K miles after some resurection work is performed.

That's a great term. I'll have to remember that. That's what I had to do with my Saab. I got it off of a discount car lot cheap simply because the lot owner thought the car was on it's last legs and that he was pulling a fast one on me. The truth was that it was a one owner that had been auctioned off by the local Saab dealrship. As with this Volvo, either the dealership didn't promote good maintenance or the owner simply didn't want to spend the money. Either way it just needed a transmission flush and the engine "de-sludged". With that, a few hundred bucks in odds and ends, and some elbow grease I've managed to bring it back to near new condition. I've had it for 2 yrs now, and at 105K miles, it has no issues (knock on wood) and our family loves it. I'm hoping the same for the XC. It is in very good condition with zero rust and no leaks. Surely a little resurection work can bring it back also.

Post by **EstVolvo** » 11 Jun 2010, 13:38

What are the symptoms of a bad B4 cover?
How is it running now?

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 11 Jun 2010, 22:39

JRL wrote:When anything is done to a transmission
Software install
Flush
B4 replacement, etc.
the adaptions should be reset and the drive cycle performed

Oh wow. Really? We did a flush last summer and nothing about resets were mentioned, nor did the Volvo specialist say anything about it. What softwares are supposed to be flashed? I don't recall knowing or hearing about any software reflash. Only software "reflash" I did was resetting the ECU like 2 weeks ago by unplugging the battery.

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 12 Jun 2010, 10:21

There are no software reflashes, what JRL is saying is:
if the tranny software is updated to the latest update, or
B4 servo cover is replaced, or
the tranny is flushed with new fluid,

is highly recommended to reset the adaptives of the tranny, in other words the tranny starts from zero, learning the new shifting habits of the "new" driver.

If no reset is done, is going to take a long time for the tranny to relearn these new shifting patterns. The tranny is always learning and resetting adaptives.
Disconnecting the battery for more than 30 min, erases about 60-70% of the tranny adaptives, so the least you could do is disconnect the battery.

Post by **igel513** » 12 Jun 2010, 15:21

Speaking of trust, I just brought my 03 S60 to the dealer for a fuel pump recall and was informed that my pump was in good shape and there are no leaks - after having the car in their repair bay for about 15 min.. When I got home, I removed the rear seat and inspected the fuel pump service port and I know they never opened it up because the tape I applied on the cover was still in its original spot and the dust on the pump had no hand marks. They probably just put my car on the lift and inspected for gas leaks. When they saw no leaks they might have just presumed my pump was ok. What if the problem was on the electronics - that could be causing the hard starts I'm experiencing. I asked the mechanic if the fuel pressure sensor is that one found at the end of the fuel rail on the left and he answered "it could be". He wants to put my car on their machine to check for problems at $825. Highway robbery. Their price on the fuel pres. sensor is $210 and only $161 @ FCP G

scottymac · Post by **scottymac** » 13 Jun 2010, 04:33

Speaking of trust, I just brought my 03 S60 to the dealer for a fuel pump recall and was informed that my pump was in good shape and there are no leaks - after having the car in their repair bay for about 15 min.. When I got home, I removed the rear seat and inspected the fuel pump service port and I know they never opened it up because the tape I applied on the cover was still in its original spot and the dust on the pump had no hand marks.

It's interesting that this is brought up as I had another issue with the dealer when I took mine in. I asked about the fuel pump recall and was told that, by checking the VIN, they knew mine had been taken care of. I informed the advisor that I was glad to know it wasn't their dealership who had done the recall because whoever did do it left the pump retainer ring loose.
When we bought the car a few days earlier this was noticed right after topping off the tank the first time. We parked it the garage that night only to awake the next morning to a strong gasoline smell in the house. I opened the door out to the garage and the smell of gas was overwhelming. I opened the garage door to disipate the fumes and then immediately moved out to the driveway. I raised the back seat to find that the insulation under the carpet was actually saturated with gas. That's when I discovered, and tightened the retainer ring. When relaying this info to the service advisor she showed little interest.
As mentioned in my original post, I ran Carfax after buying the car (and this trip to the dealer) and that when I discovered that the dealer actually had "offered for sale" the vehicle in November of '09 until April of this year.The fuel pump recall wasn't issued until December of '09. Logically to tell me that they didn't do the fuel pump recall has to be yet another lie.

Post by **matthew1** » 13 Jun 2010, 11:51

You should tell us the name of this dealer so that in the future someone might be able to save themselves a big headache by reading this and avoiding them. They sound exceptionally bad.

scottymac · Post by **scottymac** » 14 Jun 2010, 08:43

matthew1 wrote:You should tell us the name of this dealer so that in the future someone might be able to save themselves a big headache by reading this and avoiding them. They sound exceptionally bad.

Clayton Volvo in Knoxville, TN (see OP). I've kept my service ticket and printed Carfax to back me up but, for the sake of liability, I should make it clear that this has been my own personal experience on the one and only interaction with this dealership. They may be fine but I won't be using them again. I've cancelled the service appointment I made to have the adaptation / software done. I'll take their word that I've got the latest software and as for the adaptation, I'll just be patient and let the tranny re-learn over time.
To update on the tranny issue itself: As I stated earlier, my wife and I have been driving the car and it seems to be shifting flawlessly now. It had a few hickups Friday that came about only after driving for some time. As it was a hot day (88F), I thought it could be that the (factory) transmission cooler might not be as effecient as it once was or that the tranny itself was building up more heat. Either way Saturday morning saw one last fluid flush and the installation of a supplemental transmission filter. It was above 90F all weekend and we went out of our way to drive the Volvo rather than either of our other vehicles. The car ran / shifted fine with no issues. I've got my fingers crossed. My thanks again for some valuable info in one place. I'm on other forums for my other vehicles and I have to say that this one is the best.

Post by **matthew1** » 14 Jun 2010, 11:44

scottymac wrote:
matthew1 wrote:You should tell us the name of this dealer so that in the future someone might be able to save themselves a big headache by reading this and avoiding them. They sound exceptionally bad.
Clayton Volvo in Knoxville, TN (see OP).

D'oh! I missed it.

Often people don't name names for various reasons.

scottymac wrote: The car ran / shifted fine with no issues. I've got my fingers crossed. My thanks again for some valuable info in one place. I'm on other forums for my other vehicles and I have to say that this one is the best.

Good to hear, and thank you!

Should I trust the dealership? My transmission dilemma.

Re: Should I trust the dealership? My transmission dilemma.