Geartronic manual shifting problem

Esjay · Post by **Esjay** » 20 Nov 2018, 05:29

I just bought a 2006 XC70 with 115K miles & 5 speed Geartronic transmission. I do quite a bit of mountain driving with our 2006 V70 (same transmission), and I sometimes use the transmission in manual mode when descending on steep hills to help slow the car down. When I do this with the XC70, I move the shifter over to manual, the display shows the gear I am in (this is normal), and then when I go to down shift to a lower gear, it fails to downshift and instead stays in the same gear. When I do move the shifter to downshift, I noticed the display toggles between the gear I am in (say 4) and "D." The same thing happens when I try to manually shift to a higher gear. I almost feel that this a simple electrical switching issue down inside the shift box(?). The transmission functions normally when in automatic mode, this happens only when in manual mode. I am also aware that the car will not downshift in manual mode if you are going too fast; that is not the issue here. Any help with this issue would be appreciated.

Post by **oragex** » 20 Nov 2018, 06:38

Not sure about this, but I would try a partial fluid change (not a full flush) with the correct fluid type (google up for it)

Mountain driving heats up the fluid which causes it to degrade quite faster.

Maybe also ask on european forums such as http://volvoforums.org.uk/ , I think the Geartronic was a little more popular there

Post by **jimmy57** » 20 Nov 2018, 09:17

Those symptoms of the actual gear back to D is associated with the gear selector module. Or the gear lever linkage failing where it does not keep the lever over in the manual gate. Does the lever stay to that side once you move it over into the manual position? if not then the magnet sensing parts of GSM sense the lever magnet too close and it goes out of manual mode. If the lever is behaving correctly then the GSM is most likley the fault.

Esjay · Post by **Esjay** » 20 Nov 2018, 10:28

Thanks for those suggestions. Jimmy57: Yes, the gear lever does stay over in the manual position if I put it there. Where is the GSM located? Can it be tested & repaired or does it need to be replaced? Thanks

Post by **jimmy57** » 20 Nov 2018, 12:01

The GSM is part of the panel with the PRNDL on it. You have to remove gear knob and that is the tough part. No software. I'm not sure about repairing it. I have not seen any broken solder joints or things like that on failed ones.