2001 V70 T5 - Slipping AW55 Solutions?

jlenny · Post by **jlenny** » 11 Aug 2025, 22:15

I have a 2001 P2 V70 T5, 225k miles. Transmission slips sometimes, especially in first gear. It's the AW55 geartronic/automatic. ATF is dark and smells burnt. Replacing the fluid seemingly made the issue worse.

Has codes for P1618, P0721 & P0722. Local shop is unwilling to attempt a repair or install a used transmission.

What options do I have to keep this car on the road? I'm too mechanically inept to take on a manual swap. Paying a shop to manual swap likely falls outside of my budget. (I'm closing on a townhouse next month.)

My replacement vehicle is a 2007 XC70. I miss how well the T5 goes, stops and turns. Plus it looks nice on Volans and with the wing. The engine still pulls strong, and the car is mechanically flawless except for the trans.

(Please excuse the night photos in the attachments)

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 12 Aug 2025, 01:18

Have you used the proper fluid for the transmission? And in case, just find a shop that will replace the trans. Another thing you can do is a software update + clearing adaptations. As for the codes, looks like either a busted sensor or some electrical trouble between it and TCM.

Post by **abscate** » 12 Aug 2025, 04:35

My P1618 cleared itself once I started using the car again. I wonder if a simple wiring fault is also causing that slippage?

Definitely find a shop that does Volvo, pm matt for Brett Borders Volvo shop in Denver’s coordinates

Post by **cn90** » 12 Aug 2025, 05:59

LKQonline has some low mileage trans for $1100.
All of their parts have VIN tagged and odo reading listed on their website.

Another option is to sell it locally. Then buy a low mileage later yr such as 2005-2007 V70 etc for $4000-$5000.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 12 Aug 2025, 07:28

I have made a long post on my efforts to keep my transmission functioning.
See here viewtopic.php?p=662817&hilit=drain+fill#p662817
I am doing another series of drain and fills now after about another 10K miles and returning issues.
Your results may vary.
volvolugnut

Post by **Krons** » 12 Aug 2025, 20:49

I’d give LubeGuard Shudder Fixx a try. May be a long shot but lots of good Amazon reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-19610-T ... 121&sr=8-3

Post by **volvolugnut** » 13 Aug 2025, 17:10

Krons wrote: ↑12 Aug 2025, 20:49 I’d give LubeGuard Shudder Fixx a try. May be a long shot but lots of good Amazon reviews.

https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-19610-T ... 121&sr=8-3

When I get finished with drain and fills, I will add the Shudder Fixx. Not much point in adding it if you still have lots of dirty oil in the system. It seemed to help last cycle.
volvolugnut

jlenny · Post by **jlenny** » 13 Aug 2025, 17:43

Sorry for the delay in responding. I believe my brother was able to resolve the issue with a new speed sensor? The car is shifting fine again... though I am keeping a 2007 XC70 as a backup.

My brother is more of a P2 nut than me. He did use an OEM spec trans fluid. There are no delays shifting between gears e.g. P R N D. It has been a few hundred miles since the sensor replacement and ATF replacement. My brother did the transmission learning reset using a VIDA.

Noie · Post by **Noie** » 14 Aug 2025, 14:34

Hi JLenny,

I have a 2001 V70 T5 as well with identical codes. I also did a transmission fluid drain/fill using 12qts of Toyota Type IV fluid. I have not had any issues due to the fluid change, but I did clear the transmission error codes using VIDA after doing the fluid, and it was slipping like crazy out of stoplights during my second drive post code clearing.

Questions for you or your brother, which speed sensor did he change? And where is it located on the transmission? From my understanding they are both on top of the transmission and the output is further back towards the firewall than the input. (input below airbox?)

Any pictures of the speed sensor location or info from you or your brother on which sensor he changed would be of much help to me.

Thanks, Noah

jlenny · Post by **jlenny** » 14 Aug 2025, 18:12

Sure, there is a speed sensor under the airbox, but that is the input sensor. The output sensor (that was replaced) is near where the lower coolant hose connects on the engine side.

Here are direct quotes via text: "This (below) is a screenshot from a post on Swede speed. Any AW transmission 01-04 p2 should have the same speed sensor, and the wire color coding will match if they pull the output sensor off another car (which makes wiring it in easy, since 01s have unique wiring for the speed sensors a used replacement will likely need to be wired in)"

"This (below) is where the sensor is on your 01. The pipe in the upper left is the inlet pipe for the turbo."