s80 1999 tranmission?

SadVolvoOwner · Post by **SadVolvoOwner** » 26 Sep 2009, 12:02

Just hoping someone can give me advice.

I'm 20 years old and a woman, so I feel like people at shops aren't being honest with me.

I brought my 1999 s80 to the dealer because my 'transmission service urgent light' came on. What was happening is that when I tried to pass someone on the interstate, it just wouldn't accelerate. The problem is very intermittent. The dealer said it was the throttle body, so I had that replaced. 1 week later, the car was doing exactly the same thing. I brought it back. I was told the transmission and radiator were bad and needed to be replaced. I took it somewhere else for a second opinion, and they basically said the dealership was lying, the transmission and radiator were fine. They couldn't fix the problem though, and sent me to someone who could. The next place wanted to replace the transaxle control module, valve body solenoid, and main control valve body. All this is very expensive and I'm afraid it won't fix the car.

My warning light says I have no oil pressure, the engine service light is on, and transmission service urgent.

The problem is so intermittent that the second shop couldn't replicate the problem. I can't take it back to the dealer, and the closest dealer would be an hour and a half away.

Anyone have any advice??

Post by **JDS60R** » 26 Sep 2009, 20:57

Have you had the transmission fluid anf filter changed. Although many have suffered from a bad transmission in your year and model car - sometimes a flush will allow the new fluid to clean what is sticking while providing the protection of good lubrication. If you haven't changed it in 30K miles its time to do it now.

SadVolvoOwner · Post by **SadVolvoOwner** » 26 Sep 2009, 21:59

Had a transmission service done with flush one month ago.

Post by **dcarlson12** » 28 Sep 2009, 10:14

Are you saying all these warnings are intermittent? If so, from other posts of frequent intermittent warning lights, the ABS module might be causing the problem. There are places who repair them rather than have them replaced by the dealer and for a lot less money.
However, if the 'no oil pressure' message is 'real' that could mean that engine damage will occur quickly. You might need replacement of 'o'rings in the bottom of the engine. These fail after time and reduce oil pressure due to leakage back into the oil pan. This requires removal of the oil pan c if I recall correctly in order to replace them. Since it sounds like you are having acceleration problems that could be due to shifting problems of the tranny. Sounds like the third place is the most 'honest' but ????
If the dealership didn't solve the problem with a new ETM then sound like they should refund your money and put the old ETM back on at no charge. You should take that up with VolvoUSA or whoever is higher up in the Volvo chain if you get no satisfaction from the dealership.
Are either of the second and third places people who specialize in Volvos? If not, you should try to find an independent shop who does specialize in Volvos for a fourth opinion.
Good luck and let us know who you make out.

SadVolvoOwner · Post by **SadVolvoOwner** » 09 Oct 2009, 14:02

dcarlson12 wrote:You might need replacement of 'o'rings in the bottom of the engine.

I had this done a few days ago and it took care of the oil pressure light. The transmission service urgent light is still coming on intermittently. When the car shifts between gears, sometimes it shakes and when you press the accelerator I feel like it's not in gear, but I can still move forward. This only happens every once in a while, and every time I take it in to be fixed it's not happening, and they can't replicate the problem. Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 09 Oct 2009, 19:09

How is the fluid level in the transmission?

stratman3 · Post by **stratman3** » 12 Oct 2009, 07:48

You say you had a flush done, now did they change the filter? For my T6 a flush was not good enogh I had to drop the tranny pan and change the filter wish was just nasty clugged.

Rich@BHX · Post by **Rich@BHX** » 15 Oct 2009, 08:26

Now then, in that particular '99 S80, if the gearbox is 5-speed (AW55-50/51SN), it doesn't have an oil filter.
Depending on the quality of ATF flushing job, there may still some old stuff left in the area of torque converter, my mechanic says, and that area is somewhat difficult to clean (?)

Just to clarify, I have '99 S80 with 140k miles on the clock and a problem of gear shifting as discribed in this topic, but it starts only when the car gets to the working temperature. I am trying to book the car in for the job - but the garage (transmissions specialists) is full of 2007 - 2003 cars with gearbox problems

stratman3 · Post by **stratman3** » 15 Oct 2009, 10:51

Mine is also an 1999 S80 T6, I was not aware that they came with different trannys. Mine did have a filter cause I change it my self. You might gant to try seafoam transtune and then flush. Hope it works out for ya.

laddyboy · Post by **laddyboy** » 12 Nov 2009, 08:51

However, if the 'no oil pressure' message is 'real' that could mean that engine damage will occur quickly. You might need replacement of 'o'rings in the bottom of the engine. These fail after time and reduce oil pressure due to leakage back into the oil pan. This requires removal of the oil pan c if I recall correctly in order to replace them.

Can this job be performed by me or should I let a qualified mechanic take care of it. (I was able to change the tranny filter and fluid myself, unfortunately this didn't correct my tranny problem)