V70 T5 Tranny Troubles

[PDXSVT]

Found this thread, having recently bought a 2001 V70 T5 with this Geartronic. But recently the transmission threw a message to "service soon", followed a mere few miles later with "urgent service", and then refusal to move at all just a few miles later. I figure I am maybe stuck looking for a replacement transmission if the various cheap/simple fixes do not work. So I have a question about replacement used transmissions. I do NOT picture myself doing a rebuild myself.

Reading this thread and others here, I see there's A) a lot of mention of how 2001 and 2002 Volvo versions of AW55-50SN transmissions generally can be swapped in readily; B) how early versions of the 2001 AW55-50SNs likely adapt well to using the later B and C 55-50SN valve bodies; C) that valve body changes might require some wiring adaptation; and D) the TCM programming for 2003 and later Volvo AW 55-50SNs PRECLUDE those later transmissions being used in 2001 Volvos.

BUT... Several other car manufacturers maybe also used the AW 55-50SNs in their vehicles.

So I get the 2001 Volvo is very limited/picky on which versions of Volvo AW 55-50SNs can be compatibly swapped into this vehicle. But just to confirm: Are there ANY AW55-50SNs from OTHER non-Volvo vehicles which CAN be swapped into this 2001 V70 T5? I'm guessing not, but am open to being pleasantly surprised.

[VolvoLvr]

Gentlemen ~

Thank you so much for the detailed explanations, photos, and the suggestions. The clear explanations really helped me to understand how the transmission works and provided the reasoning for moving along a particular path to a possible solution.

From everything I’ve read and my experience, it does seem that the filter is clogged and/or a sticking solenoid. I’m apprehensive about driving the car, but doing so seems like the next step for further confirmation, which I hope to do today (as soon as I’m able to find a guy to help me push it to a safe place if it decides to die on me). Referring to SuperHuman’s post, step two would do a drain and fill – Depending on the result, I may need to hand the car over to someone else for additional work and possibly swap out the tranny. Unfortunately, I don’t have the tools, skills, hand strength or garage to do much to fix the problem myself.

I read about Precopster drilling a hole under the filter and thought, “Wow! Now there’s an example of ingenuity, DYI determination and courage!” I could be off base here (let me know if I am) but I doubt a transmission shop or mechanic would agree to try it since it could put them into a precarious situation liability wise . . .? It’s likely that a transmission shop or mechanic could backflush the filter though, right?

I think the person that posted just above (PDXSVT) asked a very important question if a swap is done. I get that another AW55-50SN transmission with Geartonic from a 2001 or 2002 V70 T5 would fit and I spent hours this week checking for who might have one. The couple I found were quite expensive (>$1,000) and was told by ErieVovo that they're rare. For clarity, I’m wanting to follow PDXSVT's question up with can an AW55-50SN without Geartonic from a Volvo OR one that doesn’t come from a turbo work as well?

Huge, huge, HUGE amounts of gratitude for your time following this thread and supplying info and photos. I don’t think I’ve ever been on another forum in which the community is so dedicated to helping each other out. I’m simply in awe!!! Thank you <3

Brenda

[SuperHerman]

Brenda: I think you have a good understanding of the situation. Unless you are going to do a good deal of the work yourself your options are limited. You sound as if you are willing to try a drain and fill with an additive, but no more. For $30-40 this may be worth a shot. Getting stranded is a problem.

Otherwise you need to price out paying some one to do a valve body level repair or a complete transmission swap. For the valve body level repair - were it me - I would try the suggested filter flush and replace the SLU solenoid at least. The bulk of the labor is removing and replacing the valve body cover - the flush is an added 30 minutes at most and some chemicals and the solenoid less than $100 (the complete set is $100) and 15 minutes of added work (basically, unclip harness, remove and replace solenoid and reconnect). Bring the print out of the valve body repair I sent you to a shop and see if you can get a firm price.

I am not sure on transmission compatibility - I suggest you look up the correct transmission for your year and model, and then cross reference with other models. The Volvo OEM sites (mainly dealers selling on the web) list all the other years that use the same part number. This is your best source of information.

If I was going to pay for a used transmission and its install, I would also pay for the valve body work (flush filter and swap solenoids) on the donor transmission as it is right there and out of the car. This of course depends on the mileage of the used transmission. Usually any warranty is for the part, not the labor.

Final point - have the B4 servo replaced if it has not been done. The original version has been updated due to the high failure rate.

[VolvoLvr]

Thank you, SuperHerman. I'll keep what you wrote in mind . . .

I borrowed a code reader from a local Napa store and started the car. It was eager to advance in drive and also reverse. The whirling sound was minimal, but present after first starting the car, then went away. The codes were P0033 "gear 3 incorrect ratio": P0734 "gear 4 incorrect ratio", P0735 "gear 5 incorrect ratio" and P0740 torque converter clutch circuit open. Oddly, P002f which is what the transmission guy first told me he read, didn't come up.

Waiting on guy help now to start the drain and fill. That'll be done today. I'll print out the valve body repair you sent and stop by a couple of shops for quotes early next week. Even if the drain and fill help resolve the issue now, it seems that valve body level repair, filter flush and replacing the SLU solenoid (maybe others as well) and the B4 servo sounds needed, relatively simple and not horrifically expensive.

Thx!

[01_Nautic_V70]

I think the person that posted just above (PDXSVT) asked a very important question if a swap is done. I get that another AW55-50SN transmission with Geartonic from a 2001 or 2002 V70 T5 would fit and I spent hours this week checking for who might have one. The couple I found were quite expensive (>$1,000) and was told by ErieVovo that they're rare. For clarity, I’m wanting to follow PDXSVT's question up with can an AW55-50SN without Geartonic from a Volvo OR one that doesn’t come from a turbo work as well?

Huge, huge, HUGE amounts of gratitude for your time following this thread and supplying info and photos. I don’t think I’ve ever been on another forum in which the community is so dedicated to helping each other out. I’m simply in awe!!! Thank you <3

Brenda

The transmission doesn't need to necessarily come from a T5, or even a V70 or even a GearTronic. anything with this Volvo P/N 8636761 (ask them for a picture of this plate) will be a direct fit. These are from my 2001 V70 T5 with GearTronic. The transmission is from a 2002 S60 non-turbo.

[VolvoLvr]

I didn't write last weekend after the drain and fill out of embarrassment. The fluid that was drained was quite dark. The car drove around a block before losing engagement, so we pulled over. It would not go in reverse. Upon transferring the first gallon container that held the oldest drained fluid (in order to transfer it to another container for disposal) there was blackish sludge at its bottom.

Today, it started it again. It was eager to go forward, but I didn't look forward to running into resistance again so didn't. It would inch backward, but not without effort. I'm not sure its worth the time and money to try another drain and fill . . .

01_Nautic_V70 - Thanks for your reply. But I'm confused, and hope you can help clear something up . . . Your 2001 V70 T5 had Geartronic and was/is a turbo. I get that. But I'm not clear whether the 2002 S60 transmission you put in it has Geartonic or if your car is now functioning without it . . . Also, the tag on my 2001 V70 Tv says "AW55-50 SN with the numbers 8636763 rather than 8636761. Are the photos you posted of the transmission from the 2002 S60?

[abscate]

Brenda, are you sure you got the fluid level right? If I recall right, these cars stop if you are 1 liter low, so make sure that’s right

[01_Nautic_V70]

01_Nautic_V70 - Thanks for your reply. But I'm confused, and hope you can help clear something up . . . Your 2001 V70 T5 had Geartronic and was/is a turbo. I get that. But I'm not clear whether the 2002 S60 transmission you put in it has Geartonic or if your car is now functioning without it . . . Also, the tag on my 2001 V70 Tv says "AW55-50 SN with the numbers 8636763 rather than 8636761. Are the photos you posted of the transmission from the 2002 S60?

I have a 2001 Volvo V70 T5 with Geartronic. I do not know whether the donor 2002 S60 non-Turbo had Geartronic or not.
I do know that I have it on mine and it functions just fine, though I rarely mess with it. It is my understanding the transmission itself is the same. The Geartronic mode keeps the transmission in Drive and the +/- commands are just fed to the Transmission Control Module (TCM) to command gear changes electronically through the solenoids on the valve body. If you look at a AW55-50SN transmission, there are only P, R, N and D positions on the mechanical linkage. Any other commands to it are electronic.

I'm now extra confused because I've gone back and looked at my old transmission and it has a 9480902 part number. Hmmm, the plot thickens.

Here's what I know for sure, the 8636761 works in my car and the GearTronic works fine. No codes thrown by the computer. I suspect the 8636763 would work as well. I have no idea why they had multiple part numbers.

[SuperHerman]

Brenda: No need to be embarrassed as you did nothing wrong. Sorry to hear the first drain and fill did not prove fruitful. It sounds like your transmission was never serviced and pretty gummed up when you bought it, but that does not mean it is toast.

At the start I suggested the use of Valvoline MaxLife because it is fully compatible and inexpensive knowing a single drain and fill may not work. You have to decide if it is worth another $30 plus some time to see if you can get it going.

Just so you know - your example is not the only instances where a first drain and fill failed. For some people it took three or four times until they achieved success. Then again some tried repeatedly and nothing improved. Some have failed with a drain and fill and moved up to a flush (like you originally suggested).

At this point, per your description your transmission had some serious gunk, I would put an entire bottle of SeaFoam TransTune in the transmission, and move it up and down the driveway using as many gears as possible. Let the SeaFoam do its work and see if things improve. Give it at least an hour. The car has years of buildup that need to be cleaned off and the forced fluid pressure caused by the transmission oil pump will help, but only if you get the fluid moving - so be patient. Like a dishwasher, you need to get that fluid to flow over the gummed up parts and slowly dissolve the debris - this takes time.

It is possible your transmission is too far gone, but were it me I would give it another try after the SeaFoam treatment, and then another drain and fill. Use the MaxLife fluid to keep your expenses low. Look for improvements before you finally pull the plug, but give it at least another try. Make sure the fluid level is correct - engine running and car in park (after shifting through all the gears with your foot on the pedal).

Nautic - interesting findings. I would guess the only differences in those part numbers is that they have different valve bodies from the factory hence a different part number. As been discussed the different valve bodies work in various transmissions and that is why yours is working. The transmission computer are the brains of the system telling the solenoids what and when to act and these solenoids are in the valve body (which can take flavors no letter, A, B, C and D).

[01_Nautic_V70]

I didn't write last weekend after the drain and fill out of embarrassment. The fluid that was drained was quite dark. The car drove around a block before losing engagement, so we pulled over. It would not go in reverse. Upon transferring the first gallon container that held the oldest drained fluid (in order to transfer it to another container for disposal) there was blackish sludge at its bottom.

Today, it started it again. It was eager to go forward, but I didn't look forward to running into resistance again so didn't. It would inch backward, but not without effort. I'm not sure its worth the time and money to try another drain and fill . . .

How was the sound when this was going on? Did you hear the whining/groaning sound? If it is happening, you'll hear it in any gear and the pitch will go up and down with engine rpm, mph is irrelevant in pitch or volume.