2004 XC90 Transmission Shift Issues When Cold

netasp · Post by **netasp** » 12 Feb 2014, 18:09

hi,

my 2004 2.5T AWD 182K started this winter to kind of jerks once when gear changes from 2nd to 3rd (or not smooth shifting)and it only happens when the car is cold (colder than -20C), If I go slowly through the 3rd shift it will be normal without issues nothing noticeable and so is when it goes through the initial shifting from 1st through the 3rd gear (trans oil warms up i guess?).

Trans fluid has been changed this winter and there is no slipping nor error messages, otherwise the car is very smooth. This will happen only once or twice until the car warms up and everything becomes normal.

What do you think?

Thanks

Post by **precopster** » 13 Feb 2014, 13:26

Usually poor shifting is seen AFTER warmup on these transmissions due to the changing clearances in the valve body's solenoids.
-20F is darn cold though and it wouldn't surprise me if ANY 10 yo vehicle took some time before a smooth gearchange. Replacing the fluid is a good first step.

Try manual shifting during this harsh moment and see if it responds any better. If the solenoids are sticking due to a collection of crud it will delay manual shifts as well.

netasp · Post by **netasp** » 14 Feb 2014, 06:26

Thank you precopster for your reply,

I've tried your suggestion this morning in manual shift and yes it did the same thing for the same gear (2nd to 3rd). My question is what do I do now? can these solenoids be changed or is it a complete transmission replacement? this is the 2.5T so the transmission should be good and I was hoping to get another 100K out of it because the car is in excellent shape.

Is there a part numbers for these solenoids? I don't want to walk blindly into a Volvo garage and they start throwing at me all kind of diagnostics and power flushing,....etc. I mean this year was exceptionally cold, one day it was with winds (-42 Celsius)

Let me know.
Thanks

Post by **precopster** » 14 Feb 2014, 18:35

SLT, SLS & SLU solenoids probably should be refurbished with a Transgo kit. Ebay seller ctpowertrain is the seller. Costs around $100 with the valve body gaskets. Look for AW55-50SN parts.

Not many repairers out there are open to the idea. Most will probably want to replace the valve body complete with refurbished solenoids or replace the solenoids with refurbished ones.

Only problem with that is the variation in line prsssure that is required for smooth gearchanges when different solenoids to the ones calibrated to the transmission at the factory are fitted. The repairer must know how to adjust/test line pressure before taking the job on.

I've DIYed the solenoid repair and I can say it is daunting for a first timer when combined with the valve body modifications that come with the kit.

Personally if I were to do it again as a first timer I would only do the solenoid repair without the valve body components which come in the kit. This will reduce the cost and time markedly as you won't have to remove the valve body from the transmission.

netasp · Post by **netasp** » 14 Feb 2014, 19:54

thanks for the detailed replay,

yes, most garages would want to replace the entire valve body if not the whole transmission, as you indicated, if I change the valve body, i might run into "not smooth" shifting due to lack of proper calibration.

I just tried my wife's car toyota corolla and it was worse in the cold weather (-42C) from delay engaging, not smooth shifting when cold as well...

I will check with my mechanic and see. Thank you for the valuable info, at least when I walk into any garage, I won't get ripped off (not as much at least

thx

Post by **precopster** » 14 Feb 2014, 20:49

There's a YouTuber his name is Hiram Gutierrez and he has a rebuild service. He shares a wealth of info about these transmissions and others.

While I understand that some transmissions require a full rebuild there are many that just require solenoid refurbishment; particularly the lower mileage ones

Hope you can gain a little more insight before you decide what to do.

netasp · Post by **netasp** » 15 Feb 2014, 07:49

wow, that guy (Hiram Gutierrez) knows his stuff, I wish he lived close by me..lol
I think in my case, I will wait it out since there is no error message and it only happens on cold days, if during summer time the problem goes a way, I have more time than I expected.

BUT, should things go south and I get the "Urgent Transmission Service Required" display; most garages would take your existing transmission and install a rebuilt one, should I worry about the new transmission calibration as well or should I insist on repairing my existing transmission instead of getting a new used one? and what would be a typical cost of replacing a transmission?

one last question since you know your stuff:) Do you think Volvo have fixed their transmission issues with XC90 3.2? I love the XC90 and i think it cost way less than the big 3 German (BMW, Bez, Audi) cars to maintain, but I might have to start looking else where if they haven't fixed this issue