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1999 S70 Turbo AWD Transmission has no Reverse or Neutral

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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VegasWrench
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 November 2015
Year and Model: S70 1999
Location: Las Vegas Nv.

1999 S70 Turbo AWD Transmission has no Reverse or Neutral

Post by VegasWrench »

Thank you for allowing me to join this Forum full of knowledgeable and helpful folks.

My issue is with the car a friend bought cheap and then found out why it was so cheap. It's a 1999 S70 Turbo AWD with 191,113 miles on it but you would never know by looking since it's in great shape aside from some spots where the clearcoat has peeled off. It starts quickly and sounds smooth through the entire RPM range, the problem starts when you shift out of Park to drive off. It immediately goes into forward gear even when the shifter is in Reverse or Neutral. The back-up lights come on when it's in reverse and if you shut it off it will start in neutral but it wants to start pulling forward immediately. The tranny fluid is dark but doesn't smell burnt, the Up arrow is blinking and the CEL is on steady.
I have an OBD II code reader and pulled up these codes.
P0732 Gear 2 Ratio Incorrect
P0740 TCC Circuit Malfunction
P0751 Shift Solenoid A Ckt Performance or Stuck Off
P0756 Shift Solenoid B Ckt Performance or Stuck Off

I've been doing a lot of research and really haven't found this particular issue with these *#%* electronic transmissions. I've had pretty good luck fixing stuff over the years and sure hope you guys can help keep my record intact. I'm hoping it's something simple like the selector switch I think y'all call the PNP. The Haynes manual I bought right off the bat is the UK version and it doesn't cover the AWD models.
The car has a few other issues but this is the one I need help with.
Thanks in advance. Harpo

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FLXC90
Posts: 1132
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Year and Model: 98 V70 T5
Location: Florida Panhandle
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Post by FLXC90 »

The AW50-42 is a highly reliable transaxle. You have some codes, but those should affect operation once in motion, and tree out of four are valve body related. The 2nd gear ratio could be a problem. I agree, the thread title problem is with the PNP switch, but you probably need valve body work.

Because of the 2nd gear ratio code, I suggest you source a trans as a fallback. Look for a V70XC, much more common than the S70AWD. also, there are year model breaks where components received running changes. there are a couple links I'll look for to help you.
Current Volvos:
1998 V70 T5, 112k sat 5 years, still in mechanical coma (finally at the top of the pile )
2004 XC90 T6 AWD: 186k, 60 on transaxle ( traded in )
1998 POS70 N/A: DD/training aid, 236k but really about 240k, I think...ABS module( passed on to son who sold it)

VegasWrench
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 November 2015
Year and Model: S70 1999
Location: Las Vegas Nv.

Post by VegasWrench »

Thanks for your reply.
Since I haven't been able to find any service info on this I didn't know if the PNP could cause the trans to skip reverse and neutral or not. My friend says that it drives fairly well once he pushed it out of the parking spot so he could go forward. First thing I'll do is pull that rascal off and clean/refurbish it.

VegasWrench
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 November 2015
Year and Model: S70 1999
Location: Las Vegas Nv.

Post by VegasWrench »

Can anyone point me to a service manual for this AWD transaxle?

VegasWrench
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 November 2015
Year and Model: S70 1999
Location: Las Vegas Nv.

Post by VegasWrench »

OK cleaning the PNP had no effect. Is there mechanical linkage inside that controls what gear it is in as far as forward and reverse or is that all electronically controlled?
In all the reading and researching I've done on this I haven't seen anyone else with this particular problem.

Azik09
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Year and Model: S70 T5, 1997
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Post by Azik09 »

Bowden cable from selector to control arm on gearbox is adjustable. It's a first thing should be checked. You can find description of adjusting in any service manual for S(V)70 or 850, AWD or FWD, from 1993 to 2000 year - no difference.
If my English is bad, please correct me :oops:

VegasWrench
Posts: 6
Joined: 16 November 2015
Year and Model: S70 1999
Location: Las Vegas Nv.

Post by VegasWrench »

Azik09 wrote:Bowden cable from selector to control arm on gearbox is adjustable. It's a first thing should be checked. You can find description of adjusting in any service manual for S(V)70 or 850, AWD or FWD, from 1993 to 2000 year - no difference.
The cable appears to be adjusted correctly because when the gear shift is in the Reverse position the back-up lamps are lit.
The only time the car doesn't try to drive Forward is when it is in Park.

vinnybob
Posts: 1
Joined: 25 May 2020
Year and Model: 98 v70xc
Location: NE

Post by vinnybob »

Did you every find out what the problem with the volvo was im having the same issue with my 98 v70xc and can not figure out what is wrong

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