New to forum, have many questions... 2004 C70

Freeatlast · Post by **Freeatlast** » 08 Jun 2016, 05:23

Hi all,
I'm a new Volvo owner, never having owned one before this '04 C70, 2.4, and have a few questions and concerns:
1- When I test drove it before buying it, it drove very well, but once I bought it and drove it for about an hour, the tranny started acting up, mainly, downshifting hard from 2nd to 1st. After some research, I did a tranny flush per instructions found here with Mobil 1 3309, but did not seem to help. I now plan to take it to a shop and have it checked for computer updates. Any other suggestions?

2- A couple days ago, I was just driving it down the road at normal speeds and it suddenly started running rough, particularly at lower RPMs, like under 2k RPM. A little while later, the Check Eng. light flashed a few times, then stopped. This AM, as soon as I started the car, the light stayed on and the engine continues to run rough. Suggestions?

3- When I bought the car it did not have any FOBs. I checked with my local stealership and they want about $300 per FOB after programming. How can I get this down to a reasonable price? Can I avoid the stealership?

Thanks.
Jim.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 08 Jun 2016, 06:06

Welcome to MVS, Freeatlast. The '04 C70 is a strange one. It's here in the older Forum section due to the design of the car basically going unchanged from it's inception and sharing many of the same parts as the S/V/XC70 of these model years up to 2000. However, I'm not sure of the transmission on this car- it might actually be closer to the S60 and V70 from 2001- That said, it does seem like your tranny is having big issues. I think you've followed the right path by doing the flush with the 3309 fluid and going for a software update. Can you let us know the miles on the car and if possible, which transmission is has? There is some info on Valve body tweeking- or repairs in the S60/V70 ('01-'07) section which may apply to you. You might do a search there. Otherwise, someone here may know more about your particular car and chime in. Tranny problems don't typically develop overnight. I'm thinking the original owner of your car may have known about the tranny issues and unloaded it and (my imagination running), is feeling greatly relieved that they were able to unload it to someone who had a good experience on the test drive- I hope not, but wouldn't surprise me. In regards to the key- it's all about the download that costs the $ and the dealer is the only one that has control of that....so shopping around with other dealers is the way to go, but $300 sounds about right to me. Because the key has to be paired to your car, you can't order the key long-distance. Your car has to physically be where the pairing takes place. Sorry, I haven't been much help but I'm certain other members with more knowledge regarding your car will be along.

Post by **kahl** » 08 Jun 2016, 06:19

In regards to number 2, get the code that the check engine light is indicating. Most auto parts stores will read the code for you.

Freeatlast · Post by **Freeatlast** » 08 Jun 2016, 07:14

It has 80k miles and, according to the owner's manual, the tranny is an AW55-50SN.

Post by **abscate** » 08 Jun 2016, 09:08

This might be the problematic early 2000 5 speed AT. There is a sticky thread on this you need to read before you start spending money on this car

Post by **cuhfs** » 08 Jun 2016, 10:56

Yes that's the problematic one. Its in some toyota's and GM cars too but Volvo decided to treat it like a "sealed system" instead of encouraging regular flushes. I am 99% sure you will need a new (rebuilt) valve body (VB) or alternatively you can choose to do just the solenoids. I did the VB on my 2- '04 c70's. Don't let it get worse or the friction material in the transmission may wear and leave residual material which clogs up an internal screen resulting in a no move situation. Not too bad a job doing the VB if you like turning a wrench and don't mind working dirty underneath supporting the engine from above and loosening the subframe etc... No matter how you look at it it will need some transmission work.

As noted above read the codes as Rough idle can be a vacuum hose disconnected or throttle-body, MAF, or anything else etc...

+1 on the keys and fob.

These are great looking, fun cars that are much much much more needy than my earlier 850's and V70's. Ford bought Volvo around 1999 and it was different after that.

You'll probably find that you'll need to learn to do a lot of the work yourself or prepare to spend $2500+ annually for shop repairs.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 08 Jun 2016, 10:57

X2 on reading the engine code. My guess would be one of the coils on its way out. Easy (and inexpensive) fix if that is what is causing the rough running. Good luck, mine is a 2002 and I've been super satisfied with it since buying it in 2005.

Freeatlast · Post by **Freeatlast** » 08 Jun 2016, 17:12

So, I took the car to an auto parts to get the codes read and, even though the check engine light is on and the car is running rough, no code appeared. I still went ahead and purchased a coil per the above suggestion and, upon switching the 2nd coil, problem solved. WOW, what a relief.
So thank you all for your help.
Of course, I still have the bigger issue to deal with; the tranny issue. I'm still planning to take it to a shop to check for sw updates, then take it from there.
Again, thank you for your help. I'm sure I'll be back here for more info, especially if I have to tackle the valve body and/or solenoids.
Jim V.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Jun 2016, 05:05

If the light is on then there is a code present. Many scanners can't read all of the Volvo codes, that sounds like what happened here. Cylinder misfire codes are standard OBD though, so that's a bit strange