1998 V70 Automatic Transmisson Alarm

davidvinograd · Post by **davidvinograd** » 04 Jul 2015, 15:22

People,

This AM, with no warning, a new light came on, an up arrow, and I lost power (the engine ran fine - the car would not climb a hill). The light now blinks.

There is sufficient transmission fluid and a diagnostic tester shows no faults in the transmission ECU.

The car has power if you shift it to position 1 - which I believe is limited to 35/40 mph, which is all I need on the island where I live.

Any suggestions as to what is wrong or how to find out what is wrong?

Thanks,

David

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 04 Jul 2015, 18:38

If you're using a standard OBDII reader you won't be able to access the TCU codes. Just like the check engine light indicates codes stored for the engine, a flashing arrow indicates codes stored for the transmission. There definitely are codes present you just need the right tool to read them.

With the arrow flashing the transmission will go into limp mode usually limiting you to 3rd gear only. That's why it feels like you have no power.

Without codes we can only guess at what the problem is so you'll need to have those checked. In the meantime though, with the engine off try rowing the shifter back and forth a few dozen times and see if that fixes anything for you.

davidvinograd · Post by **davidvinograd** » 05 Jul 2015, 12:14

Hum, The check engine light is on as well and has been for some time. An O2 sensor has failed but island cars do not have to pass state inspection so who cares. Anyway the tester showed codes for the engine ECU but non for the transmission ECU. I will try and find an other tester and try playing the shifter.

More when I know more.

Post by **FLXC90** » 05 Jul 2015, 16:32

David; How many miles on car, when was fluid last changed, how often is car driven etc.
If PNP switch doesn't fix it I would suspect the VSS signal, or debris/varnish build up in your valve body. You can shift it manually right now, but driving in low and screaming the motor won't be great for very long.

Without codes my initial suggestions would be, Drain and fill trans fluid, try some flush like seafoam trans stuff, followed by drain and fill, as already mentioned, try to friction clean PNP switch contacts.

By the way, is your ABS light on?

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 05 Jul 2015, 19:34

davidvinograd wrote: An O2 sensor has failed but island cars do not have to pass state inspection so who cares.

The engine could be running rich which will eventually damage the cat, and that's not even as bad as the environmental impact.

davidvinograd wrote:Anyway the tester showed codes for the engine ECU but non for the transmission ECU. I will try and find an other tester and try playing the shifter.

You won't be able to read transmission codes with a standard scanner. You will need dealer equipment.

Post by **mecheng** » 05 Jul 2015, 21:34

davidvinograd wrote:Hum, The check engine light is on as well and has been for some time. An O2 sensor has failed but island cars do not have to pass state inspection so who cares. Anyway the tester showed codes for the engine ECU but non for the transmission ECU. I will try and find an other tester and try playing the shifter.

More when I know more.

The money you want to save not changing your O2 sensor will be wasted many times over in lack of proper fuel economy with a bad O2 sensor. They have a finite life in these cars. If you don't care about your car and want to be a hack ignore all codes and just drive it but it will always bite you in the end

Post by **abscate** » 06 Jul 2015, 04:10

Made much worse by short trips when the engine never gets warmed up. You probably have massive sludge in the crankcase and PCV system from your use pattern.

If you can't get this car onto a highway once a month, it's a poor choice for an island buggie.

Post by **JBC2565** » 06 Jul 2015, 08:18

ABS or brake light come on with the up arrow?

davidvinograd · Post by **davidvinograd** » 06 Jul 2015, 09:13

Folks,

Re the questions asked. The car has 320K miles. The transmission fluid level is full. I have no idea when it was last changed. The car is driven about 1000 miles per summer season at speeds of 20/30 mph. It is not allowed off the island (no plates and can not pass inspection) so major repairs are not available (unless I pay large money to have it carried on a car transporter and the ferry). The ABS light is not on.

Can you explain the terms PNP and VSS?

Thanks for all the help.

Dave

Post by **abscate** » 06 Jul 2015, 19:11

Park neutral switch and Vehicle speed sensor.

Failure of either of these will trigger the arrow as the TCU won't get data