Transmission Service Required warning light - 2004 XC70 approaching 250,000 miles

ZombieHands · Post by **ZombieHands** » 24 Jul 2016, 19:17

Every time I drive at high altitude (I drive back and forth from Oakland to Tahoe regularly) my Transmission Service Required (TSR) warning comes on. If I don't go to Tahoe and stay in the Bay Area, it is never an issue. I've reset the light twice, only to have it come on when I approach Donner Summit again. I tried removing the Transmission Control Module and spraying the contacts with DeOxit contact cleaner, but that did not solve the problem. Engine code comes up as P0700.

I also have P0497 evap emission system code. Was planning on replacing canister this week to see if that solves the problem. Could they be related?

Has anyone else had this issue at high altitude, or the communication failure with TCM?

Also, since I have no poor transmission symptoms otherwise, I would love to know how to reset the TSR warning without having to go to the Volvo shop. Could anyone advise me how to do this? My mechanic did it quickly with the engine code computer plugged in, though I'm not sure if I need a computer to do so.

On a tight budget at the moment. Would be great if I could just reset the light for now.

Your feedback is appreciated and greatly encouraged. Thanks!

Post by **oragex** » 25 Jul 2016, 07:38

High altitude means you are climbing/heating up the transmission fluid. Heating up the fluid causes it to degrade. Service message measures fluid wear (among other issues). It's about same thing as towing - only instance Volvo recommends replacing the fluid at specific intervals. Fluid is Toyota Type IV from Toyota dealer, 12-15 qts for a full DIY flush - look up Youtube

ZombieHands · Post by **ZombieHands** » 25 Jul 2016, 13:42

Is it too late to change my transmission fuid?

My reputable volvo mechanic says it is too late. Fluid is dark / has shavings. He says doing so will likely render the car undrivable. Transmission is approaching 250k miles but exhibits no symptoms when not climbing mountain grades. I do believe the transmission was maintained properly for the first 200k miles.

I guess one step could be to just drive slower when going up high elevations?
Is there perhaps an additive or similar that could help keep the existing trans fluid cool?
Should I go ahead and change the fluid and hope for the best? Or perhaps I could do a "partial" fluid change?

I can't afford to have an undrivable car right now, and sure as hell can't afford a new tranny.

Note, I inherited the car this way.

Post by **oragex** » 25 Jul 2016, 17:26

The transmission holds 7-8qts, I'd replace only 3 qts to start with (a drain should get about that much off the pan), then another 3qts 200 miles later see how it goes. Perhaps the message shows up when the fluid temperature goes beyond 180F which is the operating temperature, due to old fluid having lost it's lubricating properties.

ZombieHands · Post by **ZombieHands** » 26 Jul 2016, 15:36

I've decided to go ahead and drain the ATF and refill. Toyota type-4 fluid, I know. Should be about 3.3 quarts. Wish me luck, hopefully changing the fluid doesn't end the tranny's life! I feel all fluid must be changed eventually, and if I want the transmission to really last, I need to take care of it accordingly. Driving it with fried fluid filled with shavings will most certainly kill the trans eventually. I think the TSR warning is simply reminding me that ATF doesn't last forever.

ZombieHands · Post by **ZombieHands** » 13 Aug 2016, 20:41

AN UPDATE: I drained the transmission fluid at the drain plug, which released about 3 quarts of some of the dirtiest, darkest fluid I've ever seen. Needless to say, this change was long overdue. I topped back off with Toyota Type-4 and my Volvo is driving well (for the time being).

Is it possible that any symptoms might show up down the road, not immediately after the drain and refill? I was wary of changing the fluid at all, since it was long overdue and the tranny has 250k miles on it. At the same time, I felt that to maximize the trans' life, it had to be done.

Tomorrow I drive over Donner Pass from SF to Tahoe. We'll see if the Transmission Service Required light comes back on like it usually does when climbing high altitude...

Post by **JRL** » 13 Aug 2016, 21:37

You need to do two more drain and fills ASAP. One does not do the job.
It is filthy already, just go check it.
You also need to reset the fluid counters (only can be done using VIDA)

Post by **packetfire** » 14 Aug 2016, 03:49

"You need to do two more drain and fills ASAP."

I thought we were supposed to drive around for a bit between the drain and fills, to allow the old and new fluid to mix completely.
If this is not the case, what is the suggested process in terms of what happens between drain-and-fills?

Post by **abscate** » 14 Aug 2016, 04:48

I think they mix pretty quickly, like in 5-10 miles of driving. its really low risk to change by drain and fill, crossing Donner pass is much more stressful than new ATF. Last place to break down too, everyone looks hungry at the rest stops.

Post by **JRL** » 14 Aug 2016, 08:49

How about idling in gear on a lift for 2 minutes