S60 Transmission back to its bad habits

[jda2000]

2001 V70, same issues as BobbyC.

I ran trans-tune (I love SeaFoam products) through it, drained and filled a couple of times, put in the B4 Servo part (mine was definitely bad), and still had some issues. So I ran trans-tune through it again and then did a full flush with IPD's flush hose kit and then cut my trans return line from the radiator and put a Magnefine filter in. It is significantly better now, and when it does act up, it's not as drastic. Fluid is sweet red now, too.

the only things missing here: resetting tranny fluid counter, resetting tranny adaptives and a new drive cycle.

Get yourself a VIDA/DICE setup and you can do all of the above for less than going to the dealer.

[dbeckwith]

Although my unit is older I have had shift issues since I bought the car. It only acts up when hot(operating temp). I discovered if I drive with gear selector in 3rd it will not act up. If I am at faster speeds I can upshift to Dr, then when slowing down to about 40mph I can downshift to 3rd and tranny will not act up. I have installed a cooler (moved the horns) and a manual override for the fan so I can turn it on whenever I want (stop and go traffic ) but even then it will act up. I have tried a different TCU and TPS with no effect.
It is obviously a heat related issue so my next move will be to try a different transaxle temp sensor. What ever is going on it will not throw a code so it is a crap shoot. Maybe if temp sensor doesn't work I will try changing solenoids. Wish you well!

[draser]

Well, from what you said, if you use the Geartronic - manual gear change - it works everytime. I would try to confirm that, and just use Geartronic for a while. What does this mean, if indeed the Geartronic works? Is this using the same valve body? Is Geartronic just manually making the solenoids that the ECU would make in auto mode? Because if that's the case, you're back to software and programming.

[BobbyC]

I consulted two transmission specialists about my transmission, and they confirmed that though many manufacturers use the SAME transmission, 95% of the problems they see are when it's installed in a Volvo. They said that 75% of problems are heat related, and involve the solenoids.

They suspect it's the proprietary programming of the PWM (pulse width modulated) signals being sent to the solenoids and clutches that is particular to Volvo.

Personally, I finally got tired of fighting it (two transmissions in 20k miles, first at 70k miles, was more than I wanted to mess with, and when the dealer said they change a lot of once-replaced transmissions at under 50k miles, that clinched it), and I bought a very nice low mileage '02 C320 Mercedes wagon for a tad more than I sold my '01 S60 T5 for (I love wagons, and badly missed my '96 Volvo 965 anyway) and am in heaven. I no longer obsess waiting for rough and clunky shifts every time I drive the car, and I am actually getting better fuel economy (27 around town and 30 hwy).

I'm only posting since I am evidently still subscribed to this thread.

Good luck to all fighting this problem.

Bob