2009 XC90 Tranmission Service Urgent

[rp2005]

My wife and I recently purchased an XC90 AWD (inline 6 engine) last July that had 129k miles on it. We had it inspected and everything came back great.

Fast forward to last week and my wife is driving the car to work and the dreaded "Transmission Service Urgent" message came on the dash. We had it towed into the dealership and they are saying we need a brand new transmission and they quoted it at $7k. This is very depressing since we have only put 6k miles on the car.

I opened a claim with Volvo to see if they could provide any kind of financial assistance but that was denied. I thought maybe there was a chance since there were issues with the earlier models of XC90s but I guess not.

I found an article that talked about the transmission: https://www.ipdusa.com/techtips/10176/v ... ion-issues. I brought the concern of the valve body up to the dealership but they pushed back saying they didn't want to just replace the valve body because we could still end up replacing the whole transmission.

I am going to have the car towed to a different mechanic to get a second opinion but after speaking with them, they said there might be issues with them interacting with the computer because Volvo has a proprietary system.

I'm really hoping for some advice on how to proceed short of replacing the entire transmission. We purchased this car thinking that the engine/transmission would last 300k miles.

Thanks in advance.

[RickHaleParker]

Look up the Volvo mechanics in your area from the Volvo Mechanic Database. One of them maybe more versed on your issue.

[wanderdüne]

It would be helpful to know which codes came up when the dealer scanned it. At a minimum, the car needs to be hooked up to a VIDA-Dice diagnostic tool to see what the codes are.
Were there any drivability issues when the warning came on?
FWIW, it's not really helpful to take it to a shop that doesn't have Volvo diagnostic equipment.
Here's a link to some suggested mechanics in the Chicago area:
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... o+mechanic
Kens Volvotech came up for me in other cursory searches- looks like they are north of Chicago; don't know where you are.

*link is older, but all the shops seem to still be going concerns.

[SuperHerman]

Ask the dealer for the fault codes they pulled when they scanned the car. Post them if you could.

The transmission in the your Volvo is Japanese and used in many non-Volvo cars.

Any reputable transmission shop will be more qualified than the dealer to do repairs - most shops own scanners capable of reading the transmission codes for your Volvo. A quality transmission shop will have worked on a transmission like yours in 4-5 different brands of vehicles, including Volvo.

A small Volvo shop will not have the experience working on transmissions - they cannot fix cars and transmission and make money. They can do part swaps - but transmissions are a specialty. Not complicated but a specialty. Go to a specialist is my advice.

From what I have read the problems with the "transmission" in your vehicle in order of frequency are 1) Valve Body; 2) Torque Converter; and 3) Transmission internals. Odds say you have a valve body issue - and do not need all three "transmission" quoted by the dealer.

Shop may want to drop the pan to examine for contaminants and/or internal damage in the form of metal shavings - this is reasonable and necessary. Maybe the dealer already did this - metal shavings would require a rebuild with some new hard parts, lines flushed, valve body rebuild/check/clean and a new torque converter -- this is the most expensive scenario.

[rp2005]

Thanks for all the replies. I was able to get the codes from the dealer:

[RickHaleParker]

This is not adding up. First off the DTC format is what you would expect with the Volvo-Yamaha 4.4L V8 not the I6. You sure you got an inline 6 and not a V8? Does the VIN number on the printout match your VIN?

Second: All three of the DTCs are signal, sensor or solenoid codes. I'm not see anything that warrants a new transmission.

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Volvo DTC ECM-P085086

Make: Volvo
Code: ECM-P085086
Definition:
Park / Neutral Switch Input Circuit. Bus Signal / Message Failures. Signal Invalid

Description:
Engine control module (ECM) uses signals from Transmission control module (TCM) to decide which position the gear selector is in. This is done so that Engine control module (ECM) can decide if engine start is permitted or not. The diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored if the control module detects that: The quality of the signal coming via CAN is too low. The control module's test for the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) starts in the event of: Ignition switch position II. Note! The control module can only detect the fault once the test has been started and the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored when the conditions are met. Hint: If Engine control module (ECM) has been recharged or if the battery voltage has been interrupted, the brake pedal must be pressed down twice for approx. two seconds to activate the cruise control function.

Cause:
Trace the cause of the fault in the Transmission Control Module (TCM).

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Volvo DTC TCM-P071100

Make: Volvo
Code: TCM-P071100
Definition:
Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance

Description:
The oil temperature sensor provides the Transmission control module (TCM) with a signal that is used, among other things, for the temperature controlled lock-up and engagement high temperature program functions. The sensor has an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) resistor. The signal (voltage) drops with increased oil temperature. The diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored if control module: After the engine has run for approximately 10 minutes, an unchanged signal is received from the oil temperature sensor. The control module's test for the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) starts in the event of: After at least two minutes normal driving in gear position D, 4, 3, 2 or geartronic (MAN) and engine temperature at start-up more than 70 °C or transmission oil temperature more than 50 °C. Note! The control module can only detect the fault once the test has been started and the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored when the conditions are met.

Cause:

Contact resistance in the terminals.
Oil temperature sensor not working.

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Volvo DTC TCM-P271900

Make: Volvo
Code: TCM-P271900

Definition:
Pressure Control Solenoid D Control Circuit Range/Performance

Description:
Linear pressure solenoid SLC3 controls shifting in the transmission. Solenoid SLC3 works when it receives voltage from the transmission control module (TCM). The solenoid is activated during various driving conditions based on speed, throttle position and set driving program. The diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored if the control module detects that: The measured current in the solenoid circuit is incorrect. Solenoid SLC3 can then not regulate system pressure. The control module's test for the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) starts in the event of: Shifting when linear pressure solenoid SLC3 is activated. Note! The control module can only detect the fault once the test has been started and the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is stored when the conditions are met.

Cause:

Contact resistance in the terminals.
Open-circuit in the cable for the control signal or signal ground.
Linear pressure solenoid SLC3 is stuck.
Linear pressure solenoid SLC3 not working.

[RickHaleParker]

By any chance did you take this to the automotive garage featured in the movie "The Mask" ?

[Masscomguru]

Agreed those codes don’t warrant a new transmission. Also, they state non active so they could have been stored from a previous event. How can you tell this is for a v8 and not an I6?

[RickHaleParker]

Also, they state non active so they could have been stored from a previous event. How can you tell this is for a v8 and not an I6?

Good point on the non active. Clear the codes and see what comes back.
I cannot pull any of the three DCTs up on a I6 but I can on a V8.

[precopster]

That's odd because both models share the same TF-80SC transmission. Sounds more like a Vida reference glitch.