2000 V70 wagon n/a (5 speed auto) Transmission in limp

radanovs · Post by **radanovs** » 14 Feb 2016, 09:33

Hello Everyone!! I've been having issues with my transmission, up to the point where it can barely drive. The arrow light is on and check engine. The code says incorrect gear ration. I tried rowing the shifter back and forth 30 times to clear the arrow and it did not work. The only way to clear the arrow is with a code reader. Then after driving for a few miles it returns.

I drained the tranny fluid and it was very brown. Refilled it with 4 fresh quarts only one time. After reading other posts, it says to drive for 50 miles and drain and refill again but I don't think it would be safe enough to drive it that long since the up shifts and down shits are very hard while driving.

Before I try and replace the transmission ($600 used), I would like to rule out some easier fixes:

Is it the PNP switch?

Do I need a new valve body?

Should I keep refilling and refreshing the fluid, costs around $20 every refill?

Thanks for the help. Much appreciated!!

Post by **kahl** » 14 Feb 2016, 11:22

What is the actual code?

radanovs · Post by **radanovs** » 14 Feb 2016, 13:57

Hello Kahl.

I just took the car for a drive and now three codes came back.

1. P1618 - Fault in lead between AW50-52 and Mototronic 4.3 (MIL Requested) THIS CODE CAME UP TWICE.

2. P0734 - Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio

The reverse works fine but in drive the car still moves very sluggish.

Thanks, Serg.

Post by **oragex** » 14 Feb 2016, 17:26

Although it might not be related with the issue, only draining doesn't change much to the oil. Why not give it a good flush like in this video

The engine/transmission mounts are all good?

radanovs · Post by **radanovs** » 14 Feb 2016, 18:37

I've read in other posts that completely flushing the transmission will make it worse. The new fluid can do more damage.

Does anyone else recommend a full flush?

Post by **kahl** » 14 Feb 2016, 18:54

The utube vid is how I change out the fluid the V70XC. I consider it more of a drain changing all the fluid. On the S80 she is hooked up to a machine that pumps some kind of cleaner then fluid doing what I consider a flush.

By chance are any of your ABS lights on?

radanovs · Post by **radanovs** » 14 Feb 2016, 19:57

No abs lights or any other lights!!!

opelrick · Post by **opelrick** » 15 Feb 2016, 07:33

Try this :

1)Clear the codes
2)then disconnect the battery right after clearing
3) turn the the ignition key to start 1 or 2 times to clear any residual charges
4) reconnect the battery
5) restart car and go for a test drive

I have had this happen twice in 12 + years of driving various p80's, both times the problem cleared immediately, no further issues. Good luck!

radanovs · Post by **radanovs** » 20 Feb 2016, 20:07

So I tried that and it did not work. I went for a test drive and the car would not shift from 2nd to 3rd, whatever the gear is at 30 mph. When it tried to shift, it looses power. Almost like when you ride your bicycle and your chain falls off and you have no pull. I let go of the gas and it tries to downshift very hard. I then changed the fluid again (drain and fill 4 qts). The fluid was still very dark. Went for a test drive and same results.

Starting to think I need to replace the whole trany.

Post by **Matty Moo** » 20 Feb 2016, 20:26

The last two transmissions that I've had throw an incorrect ratio code were toast. You have the 5-speed which isn't the stoutest piece of equipment out there. Also... It doesn't use dex-merc either in case that's what you've been flushing it with.

On the plus side....na's are very easy to swap a transmission out.