Tcm codes and coolant leak 99 s80 2.9L

Jrodthegod · Post by **Jrodthegod** » 20 Aug 2025, 19:19

Guys I don’t know what I’m doing I took it to a mechanic and he laughed in my face as he charged me 100 bucks to say that when he found the codes in the database it leads to nothing. I know the tcm has a some type of issue and I know there’s a coolant leak. Other than that I don’t know anything about cars. I’m on Long Island New York if you guys could either recommend something or point me to the right direction I’d greatly appreciate it

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 20 Aug 2025, 20:30

Sorry for your problems. I think the best approach would be to ask abscate member or other members who may reside in long island to recommend a trustworthy shop. If you dont have experience working on cars, it might get costly(price of tools, space to work on car, mistakes that come with learning new thing). If you would have someone seasoned who might help you with some repairs-i would suggest to try to fix something yourself.
Or you can bring it to the dealer and pay 1 hour diagnostic fee($200 probably or slightly more) and ask them to help you determine what is going on and provide with itemized priceless what is wrong and what it will cost you to bring it back on road(dealer always will be crazy expensive since they are mandated to use all oem parts, so dont be scared. But if the car has ton of issues, it might be time to move to something more reliable)

Post by **matthew1** » 20 Aug 2025, 20:39

For $100 I'd expect the codes (and no laughter, but he did what he did). That's some red meat for us here on MVS. Can you get those and post them?

Jrodthegod · Post by **Jrodthegod** » 20 Aug 2025, 21:22

The code was a p1618

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 21 Aug 2025, 10:51

viewtopic.php?t=50915

Coolant leak could be as simple as a loose hose clamp or leaking expansion tank cap, or something much more involved. X2 on identifying a trusted independent shop nearby.

Jrodthegod · Post by **Jrodthegod** » 22 Aug 2025, 08:19

5000 grand for a soloniod and radiator leak

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 22 Aug 2025, 08:30

Radiator coolant leak-not a big deal. If you have a simple metric tool set and have time, place, health to do it-it will not be a problem for you. Can buy Nissens Radiator for about $250 or find yourself a used oem radiator from salvage yard or ebay for 100-150. Your labor is free. Pretty sure there should be yootube videos about this repair step by step.
Solenoid in transmission is a different beast. I am still surprised with a price of 5k. Used transmission on average should be around 550-750. Plus maybe 5 hours of labor to install it and program. So labor for transmission $1100-1300(in my estimation of fairness).
Your call. If you dont have a trustworthy mechanic and car is has many other small issues that you know of...short trip to NC and you get yourself a salt free car(unless it was next to coast or recently flooded)

Post by **abscate** » 23 Aug 2025, 10:12

I’m North shore port Jefferson area. Great euro Indy on 25A, Munch Auto.

Come up and we read off the Volvo codes, ECM-xxxx and TCm-yyyy. These tell more than the generic SAE codes

Jrodthegod · Post by **Jrodthegod** » 24 Aug 2025, 14:46

I was told it was a shift solenoid A in the transmission and it would be better to just replace the transmission and I don’t know how severe the leak is for the radiator. Just drove it home today and I really don’t want to sell it. I’ve never felt a smoother car