Lost cause? Transmission Woes. xc70 2000

madeesawnv · Post by **madeesawnv** » 08 Jun 2022, 17:07

Hi all,

My Volvo xc70 2000 SE hasnt moved since february. Everything (including volvo mechanics) pointed me in the direction of throttle body/vacuum leak. I have replaced the throttle body, maf sensor, the turbo air intake, vvt sensor, etc etc etc.

Yesterday just for fun, i did a transmission drain and fill (not flush). Miraculously, i was able to shift out of park, into reverse, into drive, AND drive 2 blocks. lol. I parked the car, checked the fluid again, now its doing the same thing as before. starts fine, idles fine. The second i try to put in ANY gear, the car stalls. it can be restarted with no issue.

im confused because i have has zero transmission symptoms whatsoever. In my experience, failing transmissions will drop hints for a while before they fail completely. but this was driving perfectly one day, and the next day it was stalling coming to a stop at a red light, and never moved again.

any insight would be really appreciated, should i just give up? im really unsure what to think or do

3p141592654 · Post by **3p141592654** » 08 Jun 2022, 18:51

Does the car rev freely in neutral?

madeesawnv · Post by **madeesawnv** » 08 Jun 2022, 19:19

3p141592654 wrote: ↑08 Jun 2022, 18:51 Does the car rev freely in neutral?

yes

Post by **abscate** » 09 Jun 2022, 03:08

Get Vida fired up and look at throttle body sensor positions and see if the match

madeesawnv · Post by **madeesawnv** » 09 Jun 2022, 13:05

abscate wrote: ↑09 Jun 2022, 03:08 Get Vida fired up and look at throttle body sensor positions and see if the match

its a brand new ETM from xemodex. i dont have vida, but i do have a obdII that has you select make for manufacturer specific functions. in live data mode, the throttle response % correlates with revving. could it be that inaccurate if not using vida?

are you thinking its possibly not transmission?

thanks in advance

Post by **scot850** » 09 Jun 2022, 14:31

Not wishing to insult you, but how do you check the fluid level? The most accurate way to check is having the transmission fluid up to temp (this will be a challenge as it won't run) and then checking with the engine idling. I have read that is correct for a 4 speed auto but have to confirm that is correct for a 5 speed auto.

It is strange that a drain and fill would get the car moving again and then it dies again when you go to use it next time.

I am leaning toward it being a transmission issue. It could be that your drain and fill remove some crud from the system and with fresh fluid it ran. Once the car was stopped and crud settled again is clogging a valve body. Is it worth a 2nd drain and fill and see if the same thing happens?

This is a thread on how to check it from our good friend jimmy57 when I asked the same question. Also take note of his warnings on getting the level correct:

viewtopic.php?t=83743

I don't know if your obdII will give the level of info you need. Trying to see what it can read will do no harm.

Have you checked the TCU for corrosion on the pins? This loss of data transfer is what Vida can help with.

Neil.

3p141592654 · Post by **3p141592654** » 09 Jun 2022, 14:58

It could be a transmission issue if the torque converter lockup is on when the car is stopped. That would cause a stall.

If it was me I would put the car on a lift and see if I can get it into drive without stalling. The unloaded wheels would just spin if the converter is locked. Then put on the brakes and see if the engine stalls.

madeesawnv · Post by **madeesawnv** » 09 Jun 2022, 15:08

scot850 wrote: ↑09 Jun 2022, 14:31 Not wishing to insult you, but how do you check the fluid level? The most accurate way to check is having the transmission fluid up to temp (this will be a challenge as it won't run) and then checking with the engine idling.

haha dont worry about insulting me...at this point i kind of hope that this entire nightmare was just user error the whole time. i checked it with the engine running, after idling in park for about 7 minutes, on a completely flat surface. i did not drive 5 miles, but i did shift through all gears, drive 2 blocks, and in reverse for a second. the pan felt pretty warm when i got back under the car.

madeesawnv · Post by **madeesawnv** » 09 Jun 2022, 15:10

3p141592654 wrote: ↑09 Jun 2022, 14:58 Then put on the brakes and see if the engine stalls.

ive tried braking in park and neutral, or would that only apply if the wheels were off the ground?

3p141592654 · Post by **3p141592654** » 09 Jun 2022, 16:44

You need to have the wheels initially free to spin. On jackstands or a lift and override the brake lockout on the shifter.