'99 S70 transmission issues

[erdonline_1]

I'm thinking of having a used transmission put in, but there seems to be some disagreement between the dealer and my local mechanic about what might fit. Local mechanic says front wheel drive or all-wheel drive trans will work, just no diff to connect. Dealer says no.

Unsure if the trans from a turbo is different from on non-turbo. Seems everyone agrees the '98 trans is different with the external electronics. Will a year 2000 one work?

If a trans from a turbo will fit, '99 or '00, there seem to be some cheaper available.

Someone on Yahoo answers mentioned that is common for a bushing on the driveshaft to fail, which can cause significant issues but is easily replaced. Does this sound like a possible cause for my issues?

Any insight appreciated.

Thanks,
Ed

[binglax09]

Dealers know nothing 99% of the time, unless they are someone from here or Volvospeed.

The AWD and FWD will both work but when you add the FWD tranny you will not have AWD and you will need to get a new pass. side axle as the axles are different from FWD to AWD. No big deal as they are cheap. Also the rear motor mount is different, I believe you can use the AWD motor mount but I'm not 100% sure the bolt holes are on the FWD tranny.

You will have to ask over on Volvospeed as a few know the correct answer to this. I just don't want to say 100% and get you into major trouble.

As for the turbo or N/A tranny. The torque converters stall rating is different which wont matter much. the only issue is the final drive is different between the two and I do not know if that will cause issues or not as I have never owned nor will ever own an N/A. Again a few know the ratios differences over on Volvospeed. Sorry not trying to get you to go over there but I just don't know if the guys that are in the know are here or not.

[jblackburn]

N/A and turbo transmissions will definitely cause an issue in a 99.

One's a 5-speed; one's a 4-speed.

If it still drives a bit before dropping into neutral, change the fluid. Flush it out - something's just clogged up.

[binglax09]

Clogged, I really don't think so, dropping into neutral sounds more like a clutch gone bad and/or loosing hydraulic pressure. Clogging is not an issue as sludge doesnt build up and the amount of pressure in the system would blow anything out of a line.

I can't remember if the N/As had issues with the 5spd tranny or not? If they are like any of the others then, don't bother replacing it.

[precopster]

You can easily put an 850 transmission in a '99 if it was originally a 4 speed but you need to swap all sensors (inc 2 speed sensors) or you'll get codes (as I did last year when I swapped out only one of them on my project '99 V70@) Solenoids are same and work fine.

The cooling line clamping location is slightly different and the lines have different ends at radiator so I would just cut and clamp using some pipe as one of the lines will be unsecured if you retain the original '99 cooling pipes.

NAs can have faulty 5 speeds as the first serial numbers had the faulty B4 servo cover (as my 2000 did) 12 months after new fluid and adaptation my 5 speed is still quite good with 276,000 kilometres.

Does throwing around $45 in new fluid sound like a bad idea? At this point certainly worth a try.

[erdonline_1]

So a few people have brought up the compatibility of turbo vs. n/a transmissions, front vs. awd, etc. 4-speed vs. 5-speed autos, etc. This is what I have put together, but there seemed to be a few disagreements, so maybe someone will confirm:

Did all turbos came with 5-speed automatic transmissions?
Is there any difference between the front and all-wheel drive transmissions except the drive axles?

I did find one from a same year, came car, except the donor car is a wagen; mine is a sedan. There shouldn't be any difference there, should there?

To summarize for the earlier suggestions, here are the symptoms:

Up light and check engine light came on, seeming loss of power but no extra engine revving.

Next day, drove for about two miles, then seemed like it was in neutral. Shut off for a few minutes, then it would drive and shift normally for a few miles, then had to shut it off again.

Mechanic says it had a code related to a solenoid issue, and that the trans fluid was black. Changing fluid made no difference.

I just want to make sure that there couldn't be something other than replacing the trans to solve the problem.

One more thing I can't help but thinking- is it worth it to fix this car, or should I cut my losses, sell it for what I can get, and get something else? I can get a good used trans with a 1-yr warranty for $450, plus $700 to $900 for installation. But I don't know if the timing belt has been done, so I'll have to add $300 to $600 for that and related work. So I'm looking at up to around $1,800. I'm thinking that maybe I should spend that on another car.

Thanks,
Ed

[precopster]

I guess the real question is can you find a good '99 model with a new timing belt, new rear main seal (obvious to do this while gearbox is out) and a warranty on the gearbox for $1,800? You know the rest of the car: how does it stack up? Are tyres good, are front end components tight? Are shock absorbers bouncing around or are they firm? Are there any major engine leaks? How are the brakes/discs? Does the PCV system have back pressure? Exhaust system OK? If you're not in the know ask your mechanic.

The wagon gearbox is the same as sedan as is the engine and all under bonnet components.

'99 was a transition year for autos in NA cars with either a 4 speed AW 50-42 or a 5 speed AW55-50SN
The 5 speed has a hidden dipstick buried right under the lower radiator hose and the 4 speed has a rather large dipstick tube with a yellow handle.

Turbos had the 4 speed with 2.56 final drive vs 2.76 for non-turbos. If you get a non-turbo gearbox make sure it's a match with the current one.

[boosted5cyl]

Did all turbos came with 5-speed automatic transmissions?
No. All pre '99 are 4 speed as far as I know. I know my '98 V70 T5 is a 4 speed and I just dropped a transmission in there from a 94 850 turbo.

I did find one from a same year, came car, except the donor car is a wagen; mine is a sedan. There shouldn't be any difference there, should there?
Provided the motor setup is the same (NA to NA, LPT to LPT or T5 to T5) you should be fine

Mechanic says it had a code related to a solenoid issue, and that the trans fluid was black. Changing fluid made no difference.
Not uncommon for the fluid to be that color after many miles. You could try a dose of lucas trans treatment. Did he say what codes he pulled, ie what solenoid specifically?

I just want to make sure that there couldn't be something other than replacing the trans to solve the problem.
There are lots of possibilities, including a DIY rebuild. It depends how deep you want to go. Fully explore speed sensor, wiring, PNP and soleniod possibilities first.

One more thing I can't help but thinking- is it worth it to fix this car, or should I cut my losses, sell it for what I can get, and get something else? I can get a good used trans with a 1-yr warranty for $450, plus $700 to $900 for installation. But I don't know if the timing belt has been done, so I'll have to add $300 to $600 for that and related work. So I'm looking at up to around $1,800. I'm thinking that maybe I should spend that on another car.
Better the devil you know I say. Think about how many miles and how long you plan keeping this car for. Compare that to your costs and work out your cost per mile. 59c is the US average for a sedan (including fuel, insurance, payments, tabs etc), chances are after you do the math you be at half of that. Only reason for switching to another car IMO would be safety. Ie a car that crashes "better". Amongst its contemporaries, the P80 platform is great. However by modern standards there are "safer" cars, volvo's P2 platform is an example.

Anyway what I'm saying is dont get too hung up on cost of repair vs value of the car. Dollar per mile is king, but of course you need to account for your time spent as well