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2003 S60 auto transmission no engagement, no DTC code

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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xzw6zc
Posts: 8
Joined: 20 July 2009
Year and Model: 2003 S60
Location: US

2003 S60 auto transmission no engagement, no DTC code

Post by xzw6zc »

Hi,
Thanks to everyone for sharing ideas on how to drain/flush the automatic transmission fluid. I drained the original brown-colored fluid with Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc in 2010 summer (at 78k miles) after I experienced some rough/missed shift and the DTC code showed a bad S4 solenoid valve. I replaced it with a new S4 solenoid valve. Then the car ran perfectfully. Recently, the auto transmission gear engaged only when I just started the engine, in less than one minutes, it loss all power (engine runs fine, just no gear engagement at all). Egnine was not even warmed up yet. I have to turn the engine off, restart it again then the car moves, but again in less than one minutes, engine power won't transfer to the transmission and no code shows on instrument panel.
I flushed/drained burnt fluid and refilled with Mobil 3309 from the recommendations in this forum. I check the resistance of all solenoid valve inside the gear box and all are within the correct range. No DTC code. Could it be a bad torque converter, outdated software, or any damaged internal part? I heard a lot of stories about how expensive to repair/replace a Volvo S60 (2.4L, non turbo, 97k miles) automatic transmission. Please help. Thanks!

randyman
Posts: 36
Joined: 12 April 2010
Year and Model: S60 AWD 2002
Location: NY

Post by randyman »

It sounds like the 1-2 clutch pack is not engaging. You need to find out what your line pressure is at idle and when in gear. This would require a AT pressure gauge kit. The pressures are much higher than typical fuel line pressures, so there is a gauge kit made for this. Mine is a "Snap-On" brand. It is not cheap. If you can borrow one, or buy one this will help diagnose your problem. Other than that, bring it to a shop and get it diagnosed so you can at least determine what to do next. Does reverse work?

xzw6zc
Posts: 8
Joined: 20 July 2009
Year and Model: 2003 S60
Location: US

Post by xzw6zc »

Hi Randyman,

Thank you very much.
No shift at all, no reverse. I turn the engine off, restart engine. All gears shift but for only 1 minute. Then no shift at all.
Is there pressure sensor or switch which I can measure the resistance for function properly? If not, I will purchase a AT pressure gage. What is the model number for your Snap-on gage? Thanks!
xzw6zc

jda2000
Posts: 584
Joined: 1 April 2010
Year and Model: 04 V70 2.5T 01 V70T5
Location: Sarasota, FL

Post by jda2000 »

did you have the dealer reset the adaptives/drivr cycle when you replaced the solenoid?

These trannies require adaptives reset and a drice cycle anytime major tranny work, like replacing a solenoid is done. I would make an appt with the dealer and have them check for volvo specific codes, reset the adaptives and do a drive cycle.

xzw6zc
Posts: 8
Joined: 20 July 2009
Year and Model: 2003 S60
Location: US

Post by xzw6zc »

Thanks, jda2000. I did the second method of the adaptation:

Service. The TCM can sometimes take many miles to fully adapt. If you do not have access to the factory tester or Volvo VADIS, then you might try the following.

1. Drive the car forward in the “D” range at about 5 mph (8kph) and bring to a gentle stop. Repeat this procedure at least 10 times.
2. With the engine at idle and your foot on the brake, shift from “N” to “D”. Wait for about 30 seconds. Release the brake. Repeat this procedure for 10 cycles.

It seemed ok because no problems existed since until now. I drained oil and replaced with Mobil 3309. I checked the shifting solenoids with multimeter. All resistance are in correct range 13.5 ohm (11 -15 range). But I do notice the S4 (control 4-5 shift) does not click when I applied the 9-volt to its connector, even all other four shift solenoids click when 9-volt applied. I may have a stuck open or stuck off solenoid. I removed S4 and find out the connector for S4 is green color ("Asian Warner 55-50SN Seminar" by Focus Technology Ltd 2003 said it should be blue color) with "8D14" "AISIN' stamped on the solenoid volve body. When I shaked it, I heard rottled noise sounds like some part lossing inside.
Now I am not sure this S4 solenoid is the problem or not. The dealer charges $158 for this tiny solenoid. But I may ahve no choice. I want to buy an OBD II which can detect all or most Volvo engine/transmission problems, but I could not find such OBD II exists.
Any ideas? Thank you for help!

xzw6zc
Posts: 8
Joined: 20 July 2009
Year and Model: 2003 S60
Location: US

Post by xzw6zc »

xzw6zc wrote:Hi Randyman,

Thank you very much.
No shift at all, no reverse. I turn the engine off, restart engine. All gears shift but for only 1 minute. Then no shift at all.
Is there pressure sensor or switch which I can measure the resistance for function properly? If not, I will purchase a AT pressure gage. What is the model number for your Snap-on gage? Thanks!
xzw6zc

How to check the transmission line pressure? Thanks! Randyman

jda2000
Posts: 584
Joined: 1 April 2010
Year and Model: 04 V70 2.5T 01 V70T5
Location: Sarasota, FL

Post by jda2000 »

Your best bet, is to pay the dealer for correct diagnosis. You don't have to have the dealer fix anything.

I hate going to the dealer as much as anybody, but sometimes one has to bite the bullet and pay their prices for the correct diagnosis with their VIDA machine. It could well be that the solenoid is defective and that is all you need. It shouldn't be more than 1 hr labor rate.

Psyldisc
Posts: 1
Joined: 19 August 2012
Year and Model: 2001 s60 2.4t
Location: San jose

Post by Psyldisc »

Open the bottom bolt and drain all the fluid!
Then buy one bottle of Lucas transmission stop slip and another quart of Preston's transmission conditioner(another name for transmission stop slip) start the car and drive it without the dip stick in the spout. Make sure you refill the fluids in the dipstick port. When the Volvo has very low fluid the solenoids will engage. I thought there was a pressure issue or clog is the intercoller. But it just means the friction plates are starting to fail.
You'll know because new fluid will look grey after a while.

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