940 Transmission issue Strange spin down sound.

zimbodel · Post by **zimbodel** » 31 Aug 2020, 18:45

Took my car to inspection today and it passed , but on the way back I heard a turbo charger like sounds if i stop. It sounds like an electric motor spinning down although the engine is already at idle.

It seems to be coming from the transmission.
My heart is broken, I fixed this volvo up so nicely now the transmission seem top have gone.

Anyone knows this spinning down sound as familiar on transmission of on Volvo 940 sedan no turbo 1993 ?

It could well be a gear that is free spinning in the transmission although it drives fine, but sometimes seem to get a bit wobbly feeling as if tires are unbalanced but is not.

If anyone is familiar with this problem let me know.

I will look out for a new transmission and all advice is welcome

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 31 Aug 2020, 20:25

When you are slowing down or after you have stopped?

zimbodel · Post by **zimbodel** » 31 Aug 2020, 20:59

" RickHaleParker", thank you for the kind response.

I must say (under correction) that it is when I am slowing down. when it stopped it is usually over.
I will try it tomorrow again and give you an accurate answer but that is how I remember.

I thought at first it was a wheel bearing, or maybe some vacuum pump or something as it sounds like an electric motor with a bad bearing. But I pinpointed the sound from the transmission area.

If it is the transmission, how the heck does it still drive and shift all gears ?

Maybe a good idea to flush all the fluid out and replace and see whats in the fluid.

I will try and make a video also to demonstrate it better.

The car also dont feel quite right when driving.

This all started suddenly one afternoon while driving. The car started shaking a bit exactly like a flat tyre would do, I mean exactly. I also smelled a tar-like smell.
I stopped walked around the car and saw all wheels are great. The passenger side rear tire smelled tarlike what I smelled.
I popped the hood and all fluid and oil levels were normal. Transmission fluid was clear and not burnt. I made sure to look for that.

I started the car again and it drove fine, suddenly no problem no smell.
I honestly thought that since there were roadworks, I picked up a lump of wet tar on a tire that was thrown off before I stopped.

Unfortunately today it developed this gurgly gear running free sound so there must be a problem.
I will put it on the lift tomorrow and see if there isnt a problem with driveshaft that picked up a rag or something, although that will never account for the gear running free sound.
The differential I checked a while ago and made sure it was filled properly with the exact specified oil. It is not dry.

I will be so happy if it is NOT my transmission, but my hopes are few.
I love this car.

zimbodel · Post by **zimbodel** » 03 Sep 2020, 00:33

It definitely seems to be torque converter although I havent started the car and listened to transmission when it is on the lift. Transmission shifts great and I drained fluid and it is nice and pink with no burning or decoloration.
I will make some videos in the next few days after I replaced the fluid.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 03 Sep 2020, 02:16

Have you checked the ODB for stored codes?

zimbodel · Post by **zimbodel** » 03 Sep 2020, 02:24

No I havent checked ODB yet as no lights came on.