2004 XC70 transmission help needed

jorwood · Post by **jorwood** » 16 Dec 2019, 13:46

I have a 2004 Volvo XC70 with 125k miles. It's having the shift flare and hard down shift issues as well as going to "-" instead of shifting gears. I was researching the issue and found the same issues being fixed by replacing the inline solenoids and B4 servo cover. HOWEVER this seems to be on earlier XC70's. I'm trying to get a better understanding of what years exactly were effected. My build date is 04/03. I'm wondering if this fix would apply to mine or not? Any one know?

Any help would be appreciated.

Post by **E Showell** » 16 Dec 2019, 14:11

First step is to do several drain and fills of the automatic transmission fluid (procedure outlined on this site) with the correct specification ATF. I use Toyota Type IV, since it is the correct spec and significantly cheaper than the Volvo ATF. Toyota runs about $6/quart at my local dealer. Volvo is orders of magnitude more expensive. Do at least three drain and fills with a few miles between same and report back if you are still having problems.

jorwood · Post by **jorwood** » 16 Dec 2019, 15:49

I tried that already, seemed to help but not fix entirely. Now its back to the same old same old about 15k miles later

Post by **E Showell** » 16 Dec 2019, 22:05

I'd try another drain and fill.

jorwood · Post by **jorwood** » 17 Dec 2019, 13:19

I Just want to know if my transmission could possibly have bad solenoids based on it manufacture date.

Post by **oragex** » 17 Dec 2019, 14:02

Mine had about the same miles on it. I did not had the flares, or the display issue. I had only some hard downshift and rough 2nd-3rd.

It seems to me there is a little too much behavior with your transmission at only 125K.
I'm going to guess you may have a different issue.
Two ideas:
1. Read online about how the MAF sensor influences the transmission shifting - I know, you will think I'm crazy but just google up
2. Your 2004 is known to get the CEM wet, which causes various electric troubles and may also trouble the transmission. Less probable it's your problem, but worth looking at the CEM with a flash light for any dried or wet traces of water.

jorwood · Post by **jorwood** » 17 Dec 2019, 16:48

Well the symptoms are identical to the linear solenoid and b4 servo issues of the previous years. So that seems the most likely. Just want to figure out the build dates affected before I drop the time and money into it. Then I'll start pursuing other potential problem sources.

Post by **oragex** » 17 Dec 2019, 17:10

No one knows for sure the exact dates.. the solenoids are not bad, they just get clogged - this can happen on any years from 2001-2007 or later. The B4 cover was known to be bad for 2001-2002 but some found the issue on later years as well

jorwood · Post by **jorwood** » 18 Dec 2019, 12:56

thank you oragex I'm gonna take that info and run with it