New Volvo owner: 1999 Volvo V70XC with P1618 and P0740

WhitewaterSwede · Post by **WhitewaterSwede** » 20 Jul 2013, 12:58

Hi Everyone!

I just purchased a 1999 V70XC. I love it. This is my first Volvo but I have been lusting after them since the 850 Turbo wagon was on Motor trends cover in the 90's. "150 MPH Wagon !!" if I recall correctly.

I have purchased a 2 owner 1999 V70XC in white with tan interior. It has 180K on the clock and the owners manual has stamps from Annapolis Volvo all the way to 125K service. So I believe it was relatively well maintained.

I have been lurking on the forums for the last few weeks while I contemplated this purchase. It looked good had no codes, matching tires with same tread depth. Fluids were good etc. I thought I had it all covered.

When I hit 65+ mph the flashing arrow and CEL come on. They are consistently P0740 ( torque converter lock open) and P1618 (communication code) .

The car did go into limp mode once but has not returned since I did a transmission flush.

I cleared the codes and they stayed for 10-15 miles of city driving. I took the car for a drive on the highway and left in 3 as opposed to D. When I hit 55+ the arrow and CEL popped right back up.

The car based on the mileage change over the last 2 years has been sitting for good amounts of time or just hasn't been driven much.

Thank you in advance for helping this new Volvo Owner out.

I am pretty handy with a wrench and have maintained all of my vehicles for many many miles. My last car was a 1999 Subaru that finally blew the head gasket at 298K and before that was a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder that I finally sold with 198K and its still kicking.

I hope to keep this car for a long time as it runs really well and is fun to drive.

Any ideas?

I know that a vida/dice would help but I am strapped currently but it is a planned purchase.

Thank you !

Post by **doublebug** » 20 Jul 2013, 13:39

P0740 is main trouble. P1618 is just consequence code.
When TCM (Transmission Control Module) get issue with torque converter it registers P0740 and goes to limp-home mode (does not communicate with other modules via CAN bus). That is why P1618 is registered. Plus TCM reports to ECM (Engine Control Module) that it has issues and ECM fires the CEL. (It registers additional trouble code that just shows that TCM has errors too).

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 Jul 2013, 14:32

The normal speed where the torque converter will lock is between 45 MPH and 55 MPH in 4th gear. That is why the code doesn't set in city driving.

I think you have a bum SL solenoid or at least a bad electrical connection to it. The transmission electrical connector carries all of the wires for all of the functions but it can occasionally get corroded and stuff will start to fail one function at a time. The connector is not difficult to remove and it is very easy to spray it down with contact cleaner.

If the solenoid is bad don't let them tell you that you need to rebuild or replace the transmission. The solenoid is readily available for around $150.00. Getting the cover off of the transmission to replace it is a minor challenge but we have some tips in the repair database.

...Lee

WhitewaterSwede · Post by **WhitewaterSwede** » 20 Jul 2013, 18:10

Thank you for the replies.
The part that confused me was that it showed up when I drove it on the highway in the "3" position and it still popped up.
I would think if it was a lock up solenoid issue that it would show up D after 4th gear ( which it does) but not when it is 3rd gear.
When it did that I thought maybe there was an issue with the PNP or maybe ABS feeding it bad speed data?
Forgive my ignorance. This is the first automatic I've had since my 80 Datsun 280z Turbo.

I will check out the connector. Is it the large plug on top right of the transmission when you remove the air filter box?

I also plan to do another flush of the transmission and change my fluids to synthetic. The oil and filter definitely needs to be changed.

I followed the flush instructions I found on this site. My question is whether it should be in D as opposed to park to empty the Torque converter fluid also.

Thank you

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 21 Jul 2013, 07:55

Leave it in park for the flush, the circulating pressure is there whenever the engine is running.

...Lee

WhitewaterSwede · Post by **WhitewaterSwede** » 21 Jul 2013, 12:23

Thank you Lee.
That is the method I used.

I drove slowly up to speed in the highway last night after work. I felt the lock engage at around 55 mph the Rpms dropped. Then about 10 seconds later I felt it disengage and the Rpms increased slightly.
Does this confirm a bum solenoid? That sounds like its dirty or like you stated has bad connection.

Once I get done moving this week I can dedicate some time to another flush then fill it up with some Royal Purple.

Hopefully I can put this to bed and get back to the other Stage 0 things she needs like hoses, fuel filter, nivomats, and coolant flush.
Thank you again.
If I can get away with just the flush or solenoids I have some performance mods planned.

MilehighV70XC · Post by **MilehighV70XC** » 21 Jul 2013, 22:29

FYI, When in 3 (third gear) the converter is locked. That's why it popped the code.

WhitewaterSwede · Post by **WhitewaterSwede** » 22 Jul 2013, 12:12

Thank you Milehigh.
That makes sense.

WhitewaterSwede · Post by **WhitewaterSwede** » 29 Jul 2013, 12:03

Ozark Lee wrote:The normal speed where the torque converter will lock is between 45 MPH and 55 MPH in 4th gear. That is why the code doesn't set in city driving.

I think you have a bum SL solenoid or at least a bad electrical connection to it. The transmission electrical connector carries all of the wires for all of the functions but it can occasionally get corroded and stuff will start to fail one function at a time. The connector is not difficult to remove and it is very easy to spray it down with contact cleaner.

If the solenoid is bad don't let them tell you that you need to rebuild or replace the transmission. The solenoid is readily available for around $150.00. Getting the cover off of the transmission to replace it is a minor challenge but we have some tips in the repair database.

...Lee

I sprayed the connector with the CRC connector cleaner but had no change.

I read a post by JRL mentioning that its important to reset the fluid count and adaptives with a VIDA/Dice unit after a fluid flush?

I will look for the post about changing the solenoids. Am I doing damage other than losing mileage and running the transmission hotter while I put together the $$ for the solenoids?

If there is anyone in SW Virginia I would be like to meet up and barter for some help with this job.

Thank you.