2001 S60 Auto Transmission trouble

[priapism]

Don't make me stop this car!

[JRL]

Don't make me stop this car!

???????????????????????

[EstVolvo]

"I also refuse to believe that Volvo would have a used car dealer who makes it his life's work to trash the marque on several forums do "beta tests" for them...
Jerry"

But if it is true, and they had him to do "beta tests" - I like it.
At least one person who speaks out without covering up unlike the Volvo management, PR department, service departments and rest of the people involved in total fraud.

[EstVolvo]

To Jerry
I remember seeing an add in German car magazine - Auto Bild where Saab was looking for regular people with high yearly mileage to test Saabs.
Many car manufacturers are using German autobahns to test their cars.

[priapism]

Don't make me stop this car!

???????????????????????

That's what parents say to their kids when they fight in the car.

I'm trying to make a funny. Guess it didn't work.

[JRL]

Nope

[jadnhm]

It seems the thread can be surmised like this:

The transmission itself (the mechanical pieces) is pretty good, as evidenced by its use in many other cars (Toyotas, GMs, etc) including later Volvos which don't have the same problems.

The transmission software, specifically the Neutral-Control / Stop-Neutral function, seems to be to blame along with a particular set of driving habits (as yet unspecified) and probably poor/no fluid maintenance (which seems to be a common thread amongst all modern era Volvos - basically since they started using Aisin transmissions and claiming 'lifetime' trans fluid).

The offending function has been disabled by a software update on many cars, but some remain un-updated, probably because the owners never complained to their dealer about any symptoms (which seems to be the trigger for getting the update installed).

Un-updated cars and cars that were updated after many miles of driving with the feature enabled (as they came from the factory) may have some type of internal damage, though no one has specified what that damage might be yet.

The OP seems to be having an emotional reaction to the situation rather than a logical one, but no one really blames him for it do we? It's a pretty bad situation.

It does seem to be pretty common advice on this forum and others to stay far away from 1999-2002 Volvos with particular emphasis on the 2001 MY, regardless of model.

Other notes :
- be careful not to pull any bolts to facilitate trans fluid refill - the bolts hold internal components to the housing and you will likely not be able to reattach things without rebuilding the trans.

- stay on top of fluid maintenance. 4sp trans takes DEX-III, 5sp takes 3309. Lots of info on the forums about fluid choices.

- ask your dealer for recalls and TSBs and software updates every time you see them and probably every couple of years if you're not seeing them.

[jimmy57]

more or less correct. I will add: the AW55-50 gearbox has issues in other car makes using it in the same early 2000's time frame. Solenoid improvements, band apply servo improvements, and spool valves in valve body improvements.
Volvo dealers finding problems with these gearboxes MUST run a coolant detection test using a test strip dipped in a sample of the oil from the sump of gearbox. Radiator cooler failures have led to many failures and if coolant is detected the radiator must be replaced in addition to the gearbox.
In the opinion of Volvo, many neutral control complaints and problems were caused by solenoid that would not move freely through its full travel and do the release of the clutch to gain true neutral position. The concept of neutral control to reduce engine load while sitting still in traffic was to reduce the pressure on the clutch apply piston to less than a Bar. This would release clutch but not let the hydraulic circuit drain so clutch could be engaged in a fraction of a second and with no harsh engagement. If the solenoid is binding and the fluid pressure fluctuates the clutch jerks and wears out. If the fluid is coolant poisoned lots of ugly things happen. The radiator problem added to the failures on volvos. Other makes did not have the radiator issues.

[jadnhm]

Aha! Coolant contamination makes SO MUCH SENSE!

I remember the infamous Freya had radiator/coolant problems combined with trans problems and I recommended to her that they were related.

So other makers had problems and you're saying the internals actually /were/ incrementally improved over the years?

The coolant contamination/radiator failures would account for the difference between the failure rates on Volvos vs other makes all by itself.

Combine that with the neutral-control software problems and the ridiculous lifetime fluid recommendation and you've got yourself a perfect storm for high failure rates.

Is the purported solenoid binding problem you spoke of related to the trans fluid contamination? or are the solenoids not lubricated by the trans fluid (ie: outside the housing)?

[machinit]

"The OP seems to be having an emotional reaction to the situation rather than a logical one, but no one really blames him for it do we? It's a pretty bad situation."


This might be your opinion in which your entitled but with all do respect when a situation such as this occurs and the manufacturer emphatically denies any problems and literally ignores the widespread problems associated, this will raise the frustration of most consumers.

As an update, I purchased a BMW 330i that is a dream to drive! I love the car and while it feels smaller than the S60 (2001) it's superior (IMO) to the S60 in many ways.

I still have the 2001 S60 although it's been parked in my driveway while I still decide on what the next step will be. I'm trying to establish and research if the failed tranny can be rebuilt. I've tried to discuss this possibility with reputable ASE Certified shops and continually get varying opinions and information.

I've moved on.