2001 S80 Tranny Solenoids - Opinion Appreciated

[alyoshablue]

Hey Folks:

I know there are several posts on this already and I am referencing them if I decide to do the work myself on this project. I am a little irate at the moment, mainly because I feel my parents paid $600 for a questionable reason. I will explain.

Conditions with the s80:
1. EVAP hose leak (the typical one)
2. Regular Service Interval Light
3. Fault Codes (via Volvo Dealer): TCM -000C, TCM-0002, TCM-0003, TCM-0001, TCM-0015

Steps to resolve:
1. Took to Advanced Auto to discover "shift solenoid" stuck closed.
2. Took to Foreign Auto garage and was referred to Volvo Dealer. ($28)
3. Took to Volvo Dealer and got the codes above. Replaced EVAP hose, performed service interval work, flush transmission and then recommended to buy a new transmission if problem came back. ($600)

Situation Now

Well, while my parents were driving back to their house, the "Service Transmission - Urgent" message came back on. Upon searching this forum, I was able to see that it is something I can fix, although a sort of fix I have never done before - mainly have changed out alternators, rebuilt top half of engine - older car, etc.). The post I have found inspirational is this one:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 11&t=33551

However, seems like a lot of work to reach the solenoids. Nonetheless, it seems to me that this is a rather "typical" issue with this year, with this car and that it is a pain in the butt. It seems so common, that the dealer should be somewhat aware of the issue - I could be wrong, but you would think that the value of a dealership is in their depth of knowledge? Based upon that assumption, if the dealer knew that:

(a) they would never fix the solenoids (based upon what I've read here in this forum, i.e. just recommend a new tranny) and
(b) that flushing the trans fluid would likely not correct the issue

Wouldn't they tell the customer - look, do you want me to perform the regular service interval work and fix the EVAP hose, since you might be putting out $3-4K for a new transmission?

Anyone's Opinion Welcome On:

The reality is, that the car is worth about $4k - so to put another $4k in it might be silly - have to look at the numbers. Anyway, based on this information:

1. Do you think that the dealer should have at least presented the case after discovering the codes, so my parents wouldn't have paid $600, only to potentially pay $4k more for a new tranny?
2. I am thinking that a well-skilled tranny shop could fix this for about $800?

Nonetheless, thankful for any input. Also, as it is the eve before Turkey Day (here in the U.S.), I hope those that eat Turkey have a great holiday.

Thanks.

[BerniniCaCO3]

I'm not familiar with the S80 transmission/ usual problems.
I'm a newbie at a dealership, and I do lots of the warranty work, and electrical diagnostics that can take hours but might only pay .5hrs (as I'm paid hourly, and not flat rate).

What I've seen lots of just in my few months here are xc90 transmissions. They just get worn out-- heavy car, very torquey engine, transmission doesn't survive as long. Any shifting issues I've seen have not been due to a solenoid on those! And they ultimately require a transmission; by the time it has trouble shifting, a flush is too late to help anything. Newer xc90s do have a beefier transmission, as I understand it; so don't draw the conclusion that volvo didn't learn.

At a dealership, providing a premium service at a premium price, and as the last word in getting the job done right after, some times, an independent shop has screwed something up; the obligation is to do it right. We just can't do half-assed measures and redneck kludges that might fix a problem; we're expected to fix it. You can easily imagine a scenario where we would offer to replace the solenoid, for let us say $1000 after labor (I didn't look it up, but I think that would be on the money), only to find that it didn't help because the clutch packs were worn out and it needed a transmission anyway. It's an invitation to a lot of wasted time on the dealership's part, an incensed customer, and a bad reputation.
It's just easier and safer and drama-free for the dealership to simply always recommend a new transmission, and therefore know for sure that it's taken care of.
I remember reading (on a ford forum, as I own an old ford...) about how to resolder some of the specific weak points on my instrument cluster fuel gauge module, and replace the capacitor there. It's just a good example of the sort of thing that it would NOT be in a dealership's interests to offer. Those solder joints are a common problem after age, and it fixed my problem anyway, but can you imagine a dealership charging $300 to remove the instrument cluster and resolder those joints, then going back to the customer and asking for $600 more because they needed the module anyway? Sparks would fly.
That's where they're coming from, and I hope you can appreciate that.

Again, I haven't been with volvo long, so I don't know about a 1999 S80 transmission. But if you've got unambiguous symptoms and fair reason to think that it really is just that one solenoid/actuator, then going with an aftermarket shop and having them do just that, could be worth putting into the car. A new transmission might not be worth it, that would be your call. I wouldn't-- I'd take the $5000 and make a downpayment on a brand new $16,000 compact hatchback with a good warranty. Luxury cars still cost just as much to repair whether or not the book value has depreciated. The used car market is a little crazy right now, so it might make sense to spend $1000 to keep this going, than spend $3000 on a cheap used car that needs $1000 in repairs anyway. But spend $5000 to keep this going, and it changes the balance of the equation.

[alyoshablue]

Thanks for the perspective, Bernini. I plan to talk to an independent Volvo shop here to get their input. For the most part, I don't mind working on the Volvo's, because of great forums like Matthew's, there is a great amount of information to help you fix it on your own (if you are willing). However, when it get's to tranny issues, that is a little above my willingness level - I'll leave it to the pros. However, I just like to get several sources of input before making any calls to get something fixed. I will follow up with a post to make sure this thread is useful to others who might have this problem. Thanks, again.