Gearbox Problem

[IAS-S70]

Hello guys

Just need some info and advice for auto transmission transplant. Currently, I owned Volvo S70 2.OT year 2000 and now my gear box got serious problem. I am facing so many problems on auto transmission since 2010. Even the Volvo authorize service centre still cannot give me an answer or solutions how to solve the problem. So, I make my own decision to use current gearbox till end. And now the end time of my GB life come. I am also confused how my auto tranny with AW50-42LE and parts no 1208925 have 5 speeds, as I know all AW50-42LE comes with 4 speeds. Even mechanic at Volvo authorize service centre test and count every gear during drive and confirm my auto tranny runs at 5 speeds.

The chronology:

Last 1st week of October 2012, after not use my Volvo for 2 weeks, my car cannot start because of battery week and just heard weak crank from engine. Switch off all cabins light and try starting the engine again. During my second attempt, all instruments light on instrument meter disappear in 1 or 2 second and after that back to normal but suddenly my arrow light start blinking.

After changed to new battery, the arrow light still blinking and try to drive the car looking for any gearbox problem symptom. When gear lever put at ‘D’ position, the car moves very slow and feel heavily and believe the gear start at 3 and not 1st gear. To get the 1st gear, I have to push my gear lever to ‘L’ for 1st and 2nd gear and pull to ‘3’ for 3rd gear and pull to ‘4’ for 4th gear and ‘D’ for 5th gear. LOL...my gear box was transform to tiptronic gearbox. My reverse gear now slips and very hard to move especially on slopping area, even at flat area, I have to push at 2000-3000 rpm to make the car reverse.

The cost to rebuild the auto transmission is very expensive in my country but the second hand unit from cut shop consider affordable. Even my mechanics strongly advise me to change the second hand gearbox rather than rebuild the existing gearbox.

After seeking for 3 weeks, it is easy to find second hand unit 850 T5 gearbox with same code AW50-42LE with parts no1208560 but very hard to find AW50-42LE with parts no 1208925. Is it possible if my car use AW50-42LE with parts no 1208560 to replace existing gearbox AW50-42LE with parts no 1208925?

Some of the experience VOLVO mechanic said that both auto tranny are interchangeable and can fit both 850 and S70 as long as the first 4 parts no are same i.e. 1208.... I don’t mind if my car run on 4 speed gearbox as long as the final drive ratio are same.

I am also confused why my friend S70 2.0T year 2000 AW50-42LE with parts no 1208925 run at 4 speeds but myself run at 5 speeds.

Please... help me guys, I am really confused and don’t know what to do. Thank you in advance.

[jblackburn]

If you have a 5-speed transmission, it is an AW55-50 rather than the 50-42LE. They were first introduced into the S70 in the 2000 model year.

[IAS-S70]

Hi jblackburn,

Thanks for your reply. I checked my auto transmission, it is AW50-42LE with parts no 1208925. Is it possible to swap with auto transmission AW50-42LE with parts no1208560? Thanks.