S60 Reverse Issue

ENCobb · Post by **ENCobb** » 11 Apr 2019, 05:37

Hey Guys...

I hate to ask, but my son is in college on the other side of the state, and I have no access to the car from here. If I were there, I could work on it myself, but I'm not.

His S60 T5 has been a pretty good car for the two years he has had it. A couple weeks ago, it started getting to where it doesn't want to move in reverse. It is engaging, in that the trans is not slipping, but it doesn't want to move unless he gives it a lot of accelerator, then it clunks and breaks loose. It is acting, according to what he says, like the parking pawl is not disengaging all the way, but it only does it in reverse.

Any idea what this is? I have read about this issue in multiple places, but have never found anyone give a definitive answer as to what is causing it. Thanks

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 11 Apr 2019, 05:48

Have him try pulling it to Drive then go to Reverse. See if that makes a difference.

If it does, check the shifter for slack or a stretched cable or you can just have him shift to reverse that way until he can get it back to you.

Post by **cn90** » 11 Apr 2019, 06:03

- You probably have close to 200K.
- My previous 1998 S70 GLT lost the reverse at 190K miles. Car went to junk yard.

- Your model is 2010, so probably similar issue.
- Check ATF fluid level first (tricky b/c engine has to be hot, running) so wear long gloves.
Another trick is check ATF with engine off and cold in the morning, search for my post on how to do that, basically, when engine off and cold, the level should be a bit above Max.

- Tell your son to keep driving it and plan it in such a way w/o the use of reverse.
- I drove my 1998 S70 w/o reverse for one year, just plan ahead how to park.