Transmission problem, V70 2001 HELP!

cootdawg · Post by **cootdawg** » 29 Aug 2007, 12:25

I had purchased a 'certified pre-owned vehicle' from Volvo of Las Vegas in Oct. of 2003. On November 10, 2006 the 'check transmission' warning light appeared and was shifting rough. I brought it to Volvo and they diagnosed it as ETM/ECM software upgrade. They stated that this was not covered under my 'easy care warranty'. They performed computer upgrade and I was charged $176.19. On June 7, 2007, I brought the vehicle in to Volvo for service because the transmission was jerking. My easy care warranty had expired Nov. 17, 2006. This time they advised me that I needed a new transmission at the cost of $4000 (now not covered) and it was time to 'trade up'. I asked for, and received, the service history of this vehicle and discovered that the previous owner has had similar transmission complaints on Jan. 23, 2001 (no repairs were performed) also on Oct. 12, 2001 (at which time a 'software upgrade' was performed) and yet again on Dec. 24, 2002 (unclear from paperwork what, if any, action was taken). This car has had a history of transmission problems. The dealership knowingly sold a car with a defective transmission. It has been in for service regarding this problem on four separate occasions at which time only 'software upgrades' were performed. On the fifth inspection, after warranty was expired, they advised that a new transmission was needed.

Post by **JRL** » 29 Aug 2007, 20:35

You have a case but good luck.
If this was bought from a Volvo dealer, they may try to get you a transmission after presenting the "evidence" to them.
If they don't budge, try Volvo NA.
If they tell you to fly a kite, get a lawyer involved. You DO have a case of sorts here but you may need some legal help.
(ALL 01 transmissions are crap, most burn up sometime in the car's lifetime before 100K miles)

cootdawg · Post by **cootdawg** » 29 Aug 2007, 20:45

Thanks so much for posting a reply. My local Volvo dealer basically told me to go fly a kite! I expected as much. I know that I have to dig my heels in for a fight. Any suggestions on who to contact at Volvo N.A.? I cc'd customer care but they blew me off as well. I filed a complaint with the BBB and contacted the consumer advocate at the local TV news station. Even if they won't fix it, I plan on making a lot of noise!
Can anyone tell me if the newer models of Volvos still automatically shift to neutral while idling to reduce emissions?

Post by **JRL** » 30 Aug 2007, 05:45

cootdawg wrote: Can anyone tell me if the newer models of Volvos still automatically shift to neutral while idling to reduce emissions?

No
That was a big failed eperiment for MY 2001's, which is why many blew up.
I was the customer "beta tester" for the stop neutral removal software way back when in mid 2001. I knew the US Volvo engineers up in Rockleigh NJ and protested so loudly so they came up with it.
By 2002, all the transmissions had it removed except for a few early cars.
Any tranny software you get downloaded now automatically removes it from the system.
This problem has been going on for years, sorry you came in on the tail end of it

ron-powell · Post by **ron-powell** » 29 Sep 2007, 19:56

Hello:

This seems to be the appropriate thread, so here goes.

My wife and I recently purchased a 2001 V70 mainly because we love our 2000 XC.

The 2001 was in beautiful condition but soon after we started driving it, the transmission started doing some interesting things.

When coasting backward out of the driveway and engaging "drive" the car will continue to coast rearward, then have a hard engagement to drive.

The transmission seems to shift at inappropriate times.

Occasionally, when at a turn or coming off a stop light, it will hesitate, but never long enough to scare us.

If going downhill at slow speeds, no brake applied, it will, about half the time, have a hard engagement when the accelerator is depressed.

Once while coasting on level ground at walking speed and in drive, it did not respond at all to accelerator input - nothing. The engine was at idle. I moved the gear shift through all forward gears and absentmindedly went through to reverse with no effect. Only after stopping, going into park, then back into drive did the car respond.

The car has been to the local dealer twice and the software has been updated on both occasions. They advise me the next step is a new transmission.

While I don't want to buy a new transmission, if I knew it would absolutely fix the problem, forever, emphasis on the forever part, I'd do it.

A local independent Volvo service provider suggested we drive it until it quits, but that could be problematic since my money would be on it quitting somewhere besides in front of their business.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Ron

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 30 Sep 2007, 09:28

Hello! Since you just purchased the car, you don't know what type of transmission fluid has been added in the past. I recommend a complete flush (the technique has been developed on this site). If there are any easily accessable parts on the transmission, remove, test and clean them as well, before you go and change the transmission, please!

ron-powell · Post by **ron-powell** » 30 Sep 2007, 10:33

Sony2000:

After I posted last night, I went through the maintenance records I had and on the first trip to the dealer after the purchase, they flushed and replaced the fluid along with the software reprogam.

Thanks,

Ron
2001 V70 standard

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 30 Sep 2007, 21:37

Ron Powell, At that point I would check if an oil change is complete and not just a "We drained it, but can't get the fuild out that is inside the torque converter" type change. And before any transmission change I would contemplate a can of Molyslip and some time to let it work.

ron-powell · Post by **ron-powell** » 01 Oct 2007, 13:30

Sony2000:

Hey thanks for hanging in with me. The dealer did the fluid change and I was told it was a "flush and change". I suppose I can't assume they would do the maintenance without draining the torque converter though.

Re the Molyslip: It this some after market product easily found at Pep Boys, etc.?

Thanks again,

Ron

sony2000 · Post by **sony2000** » 02 Oct 2007, 04:56

Ron Powell, Molyslip is a transmission conditioner that has been around for a long time. Read the label. By now they may have more than one type of conditioner. My impression is that these 5 speed automatics are a 4 speed with an automatic overdrive. If your not doing a lot of highway driving you may want to select 4 on the stick. It keeps the revs up a little and gives more pressure in the transmission to do the shifting, because your car is a first generation V70. I've noticed even on my 2004 V70, that sometimes it misses its shift. So I back off the gas until it catches. When my car goes into 5th the RPMs drop a lot to 1500 rpm. On a 2.4L you certainly are on the backside of the power cuve, and not generating that much pressure in the tranny to have it do, what it should be doing. Try 4 for a while.