Identifying stop-neutral presence

[MattHenning]

I was able to see that my 2001 V70XC still has the stop-neutral feature at 175,000 miles while troubleshooting another problem. Here's how a was able to determine its presence. In VIDA, I created a visual display of the engine speed and transmission input speed. In neutral or park, the two speeds should be nearly identical. When the transmission is put in gear with the car not moving, the transmission input speed should go to zero as it is now, via the transmission, connected to the output shaft. When coming to a stop while driving, the transmission input speed should drop to zero and stay there as long as the car is stopped. If, as in my car, the stop-neutral feature is present, the transmission input speed will drop to zero but shortly after, while still stopped, it will jump up to the same speed as the engine. This shows that the transmission has been put in neutral.
I have read a number of posts regarding how to determine whether a car still has stop-neutral. This seems like a pretty sure-fire way to do it.
Needless to say, I will be visiting the dealer to update the software as soon as I correct the other problems with the car. I hope they don't give me the run-around.

[JRL]

And it's still in one piece, absolutely amazing

[precopster]

He's a 5%er. They ARE out there!!

My 2000 P80 series had the neutral stop until November 2011 until I had it removed though after B4 cover, new JWS 3309 compliant synthetic fluid (Nulon Full Synthetic Multi Vehicle Fluid) and adapts as well as fuid counter reset it only plays up when hot or when engaging drive (delayed)

It now has 275,000 kms and is still going strong. Hope it gets to 350,000kms; I think that would be quite an achievement

[mikealder]

With the car in Drive apply the handbrake next apply and release the footbrake a few times, can you feel the car going in to drive as you release the footbrake, the car won't move but you can usually feel the drive engage even when it is working as intended, if you can feel the drive engaging when you release the footbrake then the stop Neutral is still activated, if you can't feel it then it is probably disabled/ removed - Mike

[regent]

In VIDA, if you can place the TCM in test mode or adaptive mode, you do have the updated TCM firmware.
Also, when you read the car, you will see that neutral control is not there.

[JRL]

No GEN 1 (P80) came with stop neutral

[mikealder]

Perhaps JRL is correct for US Spec cars but my V70 Phase One built March 2000 with the five speed auto box has Stop Neutral and it works so I haven't bothered getting it disabled - Mike

[regent]

Yes, talk to her with VIDA and she will confess.

[precopster]

My P80 NA definitely had it also and it fitted the description perfectly; leave her in Drive, come to a stop and see the revs rise as the car shifts into neutral about 5 secs later then settle to normal speed. Then when revs rise to about 1,000 by throttle application you would feel the car go back into Drive (as if somebody grabbed the lever and pushed it back into D from N) as revs slightly dipped and the car moved forward. On slight inclines the car would roll back until the gear engaged. If you let go of the brake on an incline without raising revs you would eventually roll into the car behind you. In some rather steep inclines I would engage the handbrake as I disliked the sensation of not being in control. Where the valve body is already in some distress due to wear as mine is it would seem to take forever to engage gear. By that time revs rise to higher RPMs and I would get a bang on take-off.

I was so relieved when the dealer did the TCM upgrade but I still had lots to do until flares and banging were reduced.

[JRL]

Perhap... I haven't bothered getting it disabled - Mike

Not too smart. You know what it can do and eventually will do...KaBOOM!