04 S80 T6 RPM go crazy on 1st gear

juny20 · Post by **juny20** » 02 Oct 2010, 15:15

Hello everyone; I have an 04 S80 with 74K miles. I bought it four months ago hoping for the same reliability and quality I am still getting from my 2000 S70 with 109K miles. Unfortunately, things have been very disappointing so far. The biggest problem now is that when I come to a complete stop and start accelerating, the RPM's will keep going to about 4K (or more) until the second gear finally will kick in. Sometimes I need to just pull my foot off the accelerator, wait for RPM's to go down, and accelerate again. This happens when the car has reached warm temperatures. When it is cold and starting to drive it, it does not do this. I am trying to see if this is an easy fix or if I need to take it to the dealership. Anyone has any idea??? If I am on the expressway at a constant speed, the car feels good and has no issues. It is only from the stop position that it will do this.

juny20 · Post by **juny20** » 07 Oct 2010, 12:34

Hello, anybody has any idea of what this can be? Has anyone experience a similar issue?
I purchased the car back in May. It has 74,200 miles. I have not done a transmission oil and filter change. Should I do this and see if it helps the problem? I would like to try some solutions myself as my budget is limited and I am afraid with what the dealership might charge me. I get the "transmission service urgent" message sporadically, but it always go away.

Post by **jblackburn** » 07 Oct 2010, 12:43

I would start with a fluid change for sure - it may help, it may not but it should be your first plan of attack. A stuck solenoid will cause it to stay in first gear even after it gets a signal to shift.

You should also call a dealer and ask if there are any software updates available for your car.

Most of the older T6 transmissions are pretty crummy units, though.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 07 Oct 2010, 13:09

Its not that the transmission thats the problem, its moreso Volvo's unwise decision to pair it with the torque monster that is the T6. The tranny rated is for a max 286ftlb of torque (or thereabouts) and the T6 puts out the same, from 1800 all the way to 5000RPM, remember that when you get on the gas! Every time you punch it the tranny is right on the very limit of what it was designed for.

As already mentioned, step 1 is to check fluid level and condition. According to VADIS, the "cold" mark is for a fluid temp of 40DegC, hot is 80DegC. It mentions that the cold temp can be attained after 10mins of idling, not sure how that compensates for ambient temp. It would be awesome if someone could tell the temp for the casing/pan, in which case you could just shine an infrared themometer on there.

Even if the fluid looks OK, it probably wont do any harm to drop the pan and changeout the filter. Top it off with approx 7qts of Dexron VI when you are done. I've been pleased with Dexron VI in both the T5 (Aisin Warner AW50 tranny) and the GM 4T65E-GT in the T6. In my case I have done drain and fills only, no flushes. You can use the filter for 2000 Chevy Impala 3800, same filter but if you ask for the filter for your S80, it will probably be twice as much if not more

Given the way car is behaving, it might be a good idea to reset the transmission control unit and have it re-learn after you have put the fresh fluid in and have ensured the level is correct. I remember a recall (might have been earlier models only) for a software update on S80 trannys, it was for a stop-neutral issue, but if that recall is outstanding for your car I would say its worth looking into.

If none of this helps, your next step might be to have the transmission scanned for codes. You may have to go to a dealer for this, as its unlikely to appear under OBDII.

/edit If you put it in geartronic mode, will it shift to up 2nd gear when you ask it to?

juny20 · Post by **juny20** » 07 Oct 2010, 20:24

Thank you so much guys!!! Ok, I am going to try and do the oil and filter change this weekend. I am a rookie at this and have never done this (have done the engine oil, not transmission). I will get the Chevy filter at Autozone. Regarding the geartronic mode; I have not tried this, but I will tomorrow and see what happens.

How do I do this? "reset the transmission control unit and have it re-learn"

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 08 Oct 2010, 08:01

To reset it, basically disconnect the battery for 30mins, just like you would to reset the ECU. Now this will also clear the ECU's fuel trim/adaptation and other data, as well as resetting the climate control unit.

juny20 · Post by **juny20** » 09 Oct 2010, 19:23

boosted5cyl wrote:/edit If you put it in geartronic mode, will it shift to up 2nd gear when you ask it to?

When I use the geartronic, it will shift to 2nd gear, but there is still some lag. Also, when I've driven the car for a while, the same thing happens. It takes a while until it shifts and the RPM will go up to almost 5K. It is only from 1st to 2nd gear.

I will be doing the oil change next weekend. I was changing a wheel hub on my daughter's Hyundai Elantra this today...

I really hope that the transmission oil and filter change helps...I will follow up once I complete that...

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 10 Oct 2010, 00:55

Its a weird problem thats for sure. Is is happening intermittently when its warmed up or every time? How about the 1-2 change itself, is it normal? Ie does it seem like its slipping?

juny20 · Post by **juny20** » 13 Oct 2010, 19:28

Honestly, I wonder if the gear is slipping or if it is a turbo issue? Unfortunately, I am a complete rookie (determine to learn) and I am not able to diagnose in detail. Is there anything that can cause the turbo lag to last longer than normal?

I am still planning to change the trans oil & filter this weekend and see how that helps...

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 14 Oct 2010, 09:29

The turbos on the T6 are teeny and spool up real quick, its not lag your are experiencing, im pretty sure of that.