S-70 AWD transmission

sarawgi · Post by **sarawgi** » 14 May 2005, 19:21

My 1999 S-70AWD auto transmission ...orange arrow flashes and the car's RPM zooms up if I try to go above 45 miles/hr.

Dealer says that the tramsnimmsion is faulty needs replacement. I had fluid change at 70K miles (currenlty at 90K) by a local reputable transmission shop. Dealer says that the fluid used was wrong (normal ATF Dextron III) and casued the failure.

The tramsnimssion shop indicates that the original manual indicates Dextron and that is what was used. Dealer says there was a service bulletin (section 4, group 43, number 0029) and the shop shoudl have used synthtic fluid (JWS 3309). Transmission shop say that SB applies only if there is hard lock (which was not there at 70K mils)

I am not sure who is right....I am lookign at huge bill. I have gone back forth between the two ...none is taking the repsponsibility.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 15 May 2005, 06:18

In this case, your dealer is right and the transmission shop needs to fess up and do what's right. Starting in 1999, the clutch materials in the Aisin Warner tranny used in the S70's were changed. For proper operation, they require a special type of fluid with proprietary friction modifiers, which can only be found in Mobil type 3309 fluid or the Volvo fluid made for the car, which will run you $18/quart. Normal Dexron III / Mercon fluid will lead to transmission failure. The special type of fluid is supplied in these cars from the factory and should be the only fluid ever run in them. The dealer is right about the service bulletin also. The transmission shop should've used the Type 3309 fluid. They are giving you the run-around and doctoring Volvo's service bulletin. Here is a copy of the service bulletin:

And here is a link to Mobil's page concerning the type 3309 fluid. Good luck getting the problem situated and please do keep us all updated and less us know if you have any more problems or questions.

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 30 May 2005, 14:00

If your transmission is a 5 speed automatic you MUST use synthetic.

Travis · Post by **Travis** » 04 Aug 2005, 19:44

Ever heard of BG products? Local independent shop tells me that they would use BG atf for flush on our 2001 V70XC. Advice?

Everything I read says use Volvo fluid or Mobil 3309. Does anyone know if BG's synthetic product meets these specs?

By the way...this looks like a great site.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Nov 2005, 22:02

Where can you readily buy the Mobil-1 3309 ATF???

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 26 Nov 2005, 03:06

MadeInJapan wrote:Where can you readily buy the Mobil-1 3309 ATF???

Some of the newer cars on the market (Volvo, Saab, Ford, Toyota) are beginning to require the specs of the 3309 fluid, which contains a blend of proprietary friction modifiers. However, to my knowledge no auto parts store keeps the stuff in stock. You may be able to order it from them, but don't drive up there expecting them to have it in stock. Most people have just ordered it from somewhere online and they receive it via UPS or whatever.

acretella · Post by **acretella** » 30 Nov 2005, 13:53

Hey, I have a 98 XC V70 that was making a weird clunking noise at cruising speeds. I took it to AMMCO Transmission and he advised me of the same bulletin you talk of in a previous post. Thanks for the assistance. It confirmed what the AMMCO guy told me.

ACretella

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 30 Mar 2006, 20:10

There were no 5 speed auto's in '98, so don't use the 3309 Spec ATF. Stick with Dextron/Mercon II/III or Mobil-1 ATF. If you use the 3309 ATF you'll fubar your tranny.

harrych · Post by **harrych** » 03 Apr 2006, 20:20

Hi everybody,
I changed the transimission fluid of my 99 S70AWD with 72500 miles on it with the owners manual required Dexron/Mercon last week. I have passed not more than 50 miles since then and by chance I found this forum last night and made me think a lot. I have been on the phone almost all day with my dealer and it took them some time to clarify the situation. Service department said that I do need Volvo special tranny fluid, the parts dept on the other hand said if it was 4speed I need Dexron/Mercon. Finaly they called Volvo directly and said that there is this sevice buletin and I should not drive the car and change the fluid ASAP. I have already ordered the magic fluid-$250 for 16liters. I am picking it up tommorow. So far so good. My question is how to drain the old(brand new actualy) Dexron/Mercon. My concern is that both fluids is very likely not to be mixed (dealer could not tell me for sure) so I may not be able to flush the transmission the usual way. Any sugestions and tips would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Apr 2006, 21:12

If you drive an automatic and on the gear shift there is a "4" as the top number before the "D" (drive), then you have a 5 speed automatic and will need the special 3309 forumlated ATF. If it has a "3" as the highest number before the "D," then you have a 4 speed automatic and will need the older Dextron/Mercon ATF. It's really that simple.

Evidently some cars build early for year 2000 still had the 4 speed automatic, so if you have a year 2000 70 series car, make sure and check your gear shift. I'm sure that is why your service dept. and Volvo in general didn't have a clue until they "officially" checked. Did they check everything against your VIN# ?? If not, I would still check my gear shift.