V70 T5 Tranny Troubles

VolvoLvr · Post by **VolvoLvr** » 26 Mar 2018, 16:09

New MVS member here - not too familiar with Volvo’s though I have a bit of car knowledge overall.

My GF is on her 5th Volvo (over the past thirty years). Her out-of-state father introduced her to them, but now he’s passed. Her brother shipped her a 5 speed/Geartonic automatic V70 T5 with 102k miles on it few years back. It’s at 120k now. The engine is strong and fast. There have been no leaks at all, although the car began shifting a bit oddly, sometimes, and only after just starting out on cold days, and would get a sort of whirling sound for a bit then would do fine.

Last week, however, it may have got the kiss of death. The “TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT” lit up, so the GF got off the freeway and had a indy transmission specialist check its codes. He told the car had a “faulty TCM (torque converter module) 002f code and need a new transmission for $3,000" and she could drive another 750-1000 miles. I drove the car home, up several hills along the way, was not fun. Now the car acts like a horse with a shattered leg. It won’t move.

Doing my homework, I see that the Aisin Warner 55-50 transmission is (or may be) identical/similar to AW55-50s installed in Saab, Toyota, Nissan, euro GMs. I get that swapping in another 2001 V70 T5 trans doesn’t involve issues on the TCM and valve body compatibility. But would a salvage AW 55-50 at a cost of $600 work just as well? Or would the TCM programming, newer design O rings and different valve bodies on other cars make for an improper swap on what is otherwise the same trans?

If we’re looking for a salvage trans to swap, instead of pulling and rebuilding and reinstalling the existing trans, are there other AW 55-50 transmissions we can be looking at to install? That is, provided, she swaps her present TCM and valve body (assuming her present ones are OK or at least in the case of the valve body, it cleans up well).

The brother may help with finding/shipping parts or a new tranny. And I have "a guy" who is inclined to do the swap or otherwise work on it, but he's not a full-time transmission guru. Then again, he'd not charge me $1000 and up for labor either.

Should we only be looking for a 5 spd Volvo T5 tranny??? Or should the thing be shot?

Much obliged.
Bob

Post by **abscate** » 26 Mar 2018, 18:11

The 2001 was a special year for the 5 speed AISIN transmission - so much so it gets its own thread.

Erie VoVo in NY can probably source a decent transmission for a swap at about $500 - I think I would go that route.

At 120k miles, that car is less than 1/2 way through its life

Post by **SuperHerman** » 26 Mar 2018, 21:05

Your code is telling you that most likely the SLU Solenoid has an issue. You don't need an entire transmission for a single solenoid.

How does your fluid look? You may get lucky and a drain and fill could resolve your issue or more than likely you have a failed/failing SLU solenoid. I would look at the fluid, either drain it myself or have a shop do it and based on your findings attack the entire transmission if you find major signs of damage or if you have just dirty fluid swap out the solenoid, and change out the other two solenoids while you are in there.

Swapping out the solenoids is not a difficult task. I think I could do it in 5 hours, less with a lift (I did mine with car jacks on my side and back). A couple of hoses and lines, lower the subframe a bit, remove valve body cover, replace just the three solenoids, bolt it up. (Yeah I missed a bunch of little stuff, but that is about it). Plenty of write ups on this forum on how to do it. I found one, followed it, and had no issues. Also, I used a gasket (for a Maxima rather than ATV to seal the pan). Check the service history to see if the B4 servo has been changed and do that also if not.

You can limit the scope of your repair to only the SLU solenoid, all three solenoids or do a complete valve body repair. Personally, I would just swap out the three solenoids and be done with it. You don't have to take off the valve body, just the disconnect the harness and remove the solenoids with the valve body cover off. The bulk of the work is getting the cover off, 20 minutes tops to swap, and then bolting it back up and refilling the fluid. The solenoids and the B4 servo are the only issues with the 2001 variant. It is an excellent transmission. My 2001 XC70 went to about 150k before I had issues (maybe more I don't recall). I rebuilt the valve body (not really needed) and rebuilt the solenoids (need) and the current owner passed over 200k last year.

Rostra makes an updated solenoid set that has a good reputation, plus appears affordable (Ebay $120).

http://www.rostratransmission.com/manuals/Form5250A.pdf

Any used tranny you have may have the exact same issue or will most likely. Better off with a known history - assuming your transmission issue is just the solenoid (the fluid should tell you a ton). One more thing, if I were to put in a used transmission, I would swap out the three solenoids and change the B4 servo before installing it regardless (unless they were already done).

Post by **oragex** » 27 Mar 2018, 03:44

In theory, a new valve body or even new SLU SLT SLS solenoids and an oil change with Mobil 3309 or Toyota Type IV would do. But then I read that you live in a region with plenty of hills. I'd first try only the oil change at the upper line at the radiator - check google how to correctly check the level after the change. That would bring you to about $100. Then I'd see from there.

Post by **precopster** » 27 Mar 2018, 05:30

They DO code when low on fluid and can TOTALLY stop running. Has fluid level been checked thoroughly with engine running?

At 1.5 litres low they will NOT move.

Also if filter is blocked they will come to a halt. I have successfully overcome this on my own T5 by bypassing the filter:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=82841

My post on page 6 1st October 2017 covers the drill point for clearing the filter and what is required. Car is still a daily driver after another 7,000 kms

VolvoLvr · Post by **VolvoLvr** » 28 Mar 2018, 17:36

First of all, I’ve got to say that having posted on MVS may have gotten me into bigger trouble than I originally thought. Riding the wave with the GF (who knows a bit more about cars than most females, but only to the point where it overfills her frustration cup) has had its challenges. Learning what SWMBO meant gave her a good laugh though, and there’s a twinkle in her eye that wasn’t there before. Thank you, Abscate! Yet, I now fear IMAS(lave) to her and her Volvo(s).

Anyways, GF and I agree, owning a vehicle with known history is always the best route so we’ve been considering the suggestions made, doing research, and reading up on the AW55-50SN tranny of late.

The ATF isn’t red, nor black and gritty, either. Not even close and we’ve not seen any leaks. Oil changes about every 4k by indy Volvo specialists, which included inspections, never mentioned concerns. Sad to say, though, even her fav mechanic immediately said $2,700 for a re-build.

GF tracked down who the former owner was (an international ad executive). He had all service done by Santa Monica Volvo through 2014. SMVolvo won’t give out any info on the car. Nevertheless, learning that it had been regularly maintained ease our minds. There may be a chance the update was done and b4 servo changed.

So thinking drain and fill, solenoid replacement, and possibly filter switch might solve the problem (unless additional harm was done driving up the hills on the way home). We’ll aim in that direction. Hopefully, we’ll get it moving so it can be taken to a local dealer who may be able to check with SMVolvo or otherwise confirm if update and if B4 servo were done, then go from there. I'll post with updates.

I've had a liking for Ford Contour SVTs. But GF is saying “We need a 3rd car for back up!” and MVS is such a great resource, maybe it’s time to switch car preferences?

Thanks, guys!

Post by **SuperHerman** » 28 Mar 2018, 23:56

Tranny filter is internal and cannot be serviced without removing transmission and opening it up. If you are going to do the work yourself just swap out the three solenoids with Rostra units (around $100 on eBay) leave the valve body alone, fill up the fluid with new stuff and you should be good to go.

If you are not going to do the work yourself you need to call around for a shop that will swap out the valve body solenoids. It should not be more than 3-6 hours of labor and $200 in parts and oil. The B4 Servo is pretty easy - I am sure you can find a video on it. Shop should charge no more than 1 hour - I have seen people claim to do it in 15 minutes. Took me about 30 minutes.

Problem with many transmissions these days is changing the "lifetime" fluid is not part of maintenance. From the sounds of yours the fluid has been changed which is good.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Mar 2018, 09:00

I think Mike (precopster) documented how you can service the filter without transmission removal - if you have the guts to drill into the transmission. You can get a sense on a user forum that all 2001 trans are ready to detonate, and thats not true. They experience failure more than others, but probably thats a 10% occurrence

Post by **SuperHerman** » 29 Mar 2018, 11:58

I saw precopster's drilling post and discounted it for the OP. In the USA one is better off buying a used tranny, price, quantity and availability the factors.

Problem state side is very few mechanics, especially dealers, actually change out a solenoid. Approach taken is a new transmission or new valve body. The liability of a misdiagnosis coupled with a $150/hr service rate drives it this route. A transmission specialist, small town or home mechanic can pursue another path. As reflected by all the after market solutions it is clear many go this way - recall this transmission is used in a large number of cars.

A few years back I bought three core transmissions for super cheap just to dismantle, one part I sent down under to precoposter. My findings were the B4 failed in one, solenoids sticky in all, and tranny fluid black and filthy in all. So other than the B4 failure, lack of maintenance or poor factory recommendation was the main cause of failure. In my tranny rebuild kit, I had to buy for some check valves, all the main components were shared with every other AW55/50 regardless of year. So yes abscate is right, the 2001 tranny is inappropriately labeled as problematic when it is, save for the solenoid design and original software, just as robust as all the others. I would wager that if one updated the software from day one, changed the tranny fluid every 25k with a simple drain and fill, that the 2001 tranny would not fail as often as it does (which is usually the B4 (which was updated design wise) or the solenoids sticking (which keeping the fluid fresh would minimize)).

01_Nautic_V70 · Post by **01_Nautic_V70** » 02 Apr 2018, 08:55

As a data point, I purchased a 2002 AW55-50SN for my 2001 V70 T5. It was $500 delivered to my driveway. I had another ~$250-$300 in new fluids and miscellaneous little parts done at the same time like the front torque mount and a rebuilt torque converter. After completely draining the fluid and opening the case to replace the trans filter, I was quite pleased with how the trans looked internally. No metallic materials in the filter media and not much in the way of clutch material or wear products either.

Compared with $400 for a transmission rebuild kit, $400 for a rebuilt valve body, or $100 in solenoids or about $200 in a full valve body rebuild kit, I'm pretty happy with the value compared to the work accomplished.