2001 V70 40 mph problem

Bittertruth · Post by **Bittertruth** » 14 Feb 2009, 09:21

I am new to the forums and think that this is the best car forum i have ever read.
i am sure that you will be able answer my question.
I am looking at a 2002 V70 that has an interesting issue. at a steady 40 MPH on a slight grade the transmission will appear to hunt for the correct gear. rpm will oscillate with it shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. the transmission has been changed to fix the problem but has not and Volvo has said that it may be a software issue with this model. Other than this the transmission is perfect.

Have any of you heard of this? does this model volvo have the computer assist in shifting the transmission?

any help will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Feb 2009, 09:27

Volvo should load up the latest transmission software. If that doesn't fix it, I would personally walk away...hesitation and slipping on a grade is the first sign of trouble in the '01 models. This year V70 had the most transmission trouble and even a change out with a new one doesn't guarantee that it's going to be okay...this is just my $0.02 but you're better off with an '02 or later model.

Post by **JRL** » 14 Feb 2009, 17:54

Dave,
He SAID that it is a 2002....

To the OP, it STILL can be the tranny

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Feb 2009, 19:26

Oops...didn't catch that readily. His title says 2001.

Bittertruth · Post by **Bittertruth** » 16 Feb 2009, 07:04

Sorry about the mix up guys, i have been looking at a ton of different Volvos this last week.

It is a 2001 V70 and i have purchased it because of a second test drive with new info. It was a really good deal given the circumstances and i couldn't pass it up. It also appears that it may be a fuel issue and not a transmission issue.
first let me clarify a few things about the problem.
the shifting of the gears only occurs on a flat to very very slight incline with almost no strain on the engine. I don't think i was real clear on this but i was in a hurry and i apologize.

the really interesting part is, when i use the cruise control set at 40 mph i never get the same symptoms. in fact, the transmission performs flawlessly!
Now i have a background in aviation and am a licensed A&P Mechanic with about 30 yrs experience and this looks like some kind of fuel control issue to me. (go ahead and tell me if i am daft, you wouldn't be the first). that is why i threw the dice and pruchased the vehicle anyway.(did i mention that it was a good price).
is their any validity in my thinking here or am i just a sucker for Volvo's leather seats and smooth classic lines?

Post by **VCA** » 16 Feb 2009, 09:01

Bittertruth wrote:the really interesting part is, when i use the cruise control set at 40 mph i never get the same symptoms. in fact, the transmission performs flawlessly!
Now i have a background in aviation and am a licensed A&P Mechanic with about 30 yrs experience and this looks like some kind of fuel control issue to me.

Well, two things come to mind: first, make absolutely sure that the car has no open service campaigns on it (usually software upgrades), and it might be worth your while to pay for a "TCM Upgrade" (i.e. load the latest software into the Transmission Control Module). That said, I'm thinking 'air' instead of 'fuel'--specifically, ETM trouble.