transmission and ETM correlation? Topic is solved

pep · Post by **pep** » 30 Jan 2006, 10:09

Don,
This was posted in the XC section of this site. It mentions a correlation between the faulty ETMs and transmission failures. Have you heard anything to make you think this is a possibilty?

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2006 2:31 am Post subject:

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In speaking with a friend who is a brother of a Volvo Service Advisor, I was told the ETM failures are causing transmission problems. The ETM is sending incorrect messages to the transmission causing serious damage. Just thought I would pass on the latest news. I took mine in for a trans fluid flush after they replaced the ETM as a preventative measure and found the transmission fluid on my 2001XC70 in synthetic and is $30 / Gal, a complete flush is 20 Gal. I am curious if Don Wilson is aware of this.

Cheers,

Post by **DonWillson** » 07 Mar 2006, 14:58

pep wrote:Don,
This was posted in the XC section of this site. It mentions a correlation between the faulty ETMs and transmission failures. Have you heard anything to make you think this is a possibilty?
Cheers,

I am becoming more aware of the problem. After I get a post that Tammy called about today I will send a mass mailing out to the world asking for more instances. I am also trying to find out if ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association) has any information. I will alert NHTSA also.

Is the transmission an AW55-50 or AW50-42 or AW42/AWD?

Don
[email protected]

DavidS60T5 · Post by **DavidS60T5** » 14 Mar 2006, 08:57

From a previous posting.....

Yes, I'm having a similiar argument with my dealer at the moment. 3 weeks earlier I had the car serviced due to "Service Transmission" and "check engine" warning lights. They charged me $340 for a "software upgrade" to the TCM. 3 weeks later, they replaced my ETM for no charge after I started having performance problems.

The ETM fix didn't work, so now they are replacing my transmission and want me to pay a $200 deductible (I'm in an Extended Warranty Period). I'm arguing that I should not pay the deductible and should be refunded the prior $340 as I believe all of these problems are stemming from the ETM (Although I can't prove that at the moment)

_________________

Not sure of the connection between the ETM and transmission failure....but it sure doesn't smell right!

Post by **DonWillson** » 05 Apr 2006, 20:46

DonWillson wrote: I am becoming more aware of the problem. After I get a post that Tammy called about today I will send a mass mailing out to the world asking for more instances. I am also trying to find out if ATRA (Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association) has any information. I will alert NHTSA also.
Don
[email protected]

I received this from one the the VEXED group.

"Last February / March 2005 I had one episode of the ETM failure when my 2001 Volvo V70XC went into "Reduced Performance Mode" near work. I stopped the car and restarted it and it ran OK. At the time I did not know about the ETM problem.
On my vacation to South Carolina at the end of March 2005, my transmission failed (~ 85,000 miles). I got the warning light the same time the transmission stopped working. I did notice at around this time that the transmission would drop out of gear and free wheel for a split second then slam back into gear once and a while. It seemed to do this most under acceleration. I had the transmission replaced at a Volvo dealer in South Carolina during my vacation.
In August 2005 I got several more ETM failures. I had the ETM replaced in August 2005 (~90,000 miles) at an independent shop that specializes in Volvos. I have sent my bill into Volvo Warranty site for reimbursement.
I had wondered if the transmission problem was caused by something, like maybe the ETM going bad? If you need more details, I will be happy to provide them to you.

By the way I did report my transmission failure to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The transmission failure caused the car to stop in the middle of three lane highway. This was very dangerous. The transmission finally caught and I was able to get to a parking lot.

P.S. - The original estimate for the transmission part price was $3,500. When I got to the dealer to pick up my car, they told me the transmission part cost was only $2,500 plus labor. I know from past experiences with OEM Automakers that if a part is failing more than normal, that they will sometimes lower the cost to make customers less upset. I wonder if Volvo knew of higher rates of transmission failures in March 2005? I look forward to hear more about this issue."

grovesj2 · Post by **grovesj2** » 21 Aug 2006, 17:33

Well, I just had to replace my tranny. I had the ETM software upgrade in late April early May. My car only had 40k miles on it. It doesnt seem like a tranny should go out that soon. If you get any more info on the ETM's causing tranny problems definitely post it cause I am interested. Especially if theres a way to get reimbursed for the new tranny.
Thanks,

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 21 Aug 2006, 18:13

pep wrote:I took mine in for a trans fluid flush after they replaced the ETM as a preventative measure and found the transmission fluid on my 2001XC70 in synthetic and is $30 / Gal, a complete flush is 20 Gal.

True, but it's well documented that the Volvo "special" transmission fluid is the same thing as Mobil-3309 ATF. You can find several vendors on the web who can send it to you (by case of 12) for under $50, or you might find it locally. Some Volvo dealers have also begun offering the Mobil-3309 to their customers who are no longer under warranty.

jones_weisenberger · Post by **jones_weisenberger** » 17 Apr 2008, 13:52

I am having issues with my ETM and have already replaced my transmission. Has anyone had luck with being reimbursed for their replaced transmission?

Also, they are telling me that my catalytic converter now needs to be replaced. Anyone dealt with that?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Apr 2008, 15:35

Welcome to MVS.
So far no one has had the transmission paid for as Volvo does not admit the high correlation of issues that may be related. Which car do you have? '01's just typically had transmission problems (unrelated to the ETm, including the stop-neutral issue built in- now deleted with a software download), so I hope you don't have one of those.
Regards,
MIJ