1999 v70 xc transmission, has a master mechanic and specialty shop stumped

BadluckBK · Post by **BadluckBK** » 16 Feb 2020, 13:50

My wife’s car, a 99’ v70xc had a motor replaced (in my garage) 2 years ago, have had no issues until... she tried starting the car in the cold, didn’t start, so I jumped it and let it run. The next morning, she pulled out of the driveway and the “up arrow” on the dash started blinking. The car seemed to not want to shift into 1st or 2nd gear at first, but would eventually get up to speed, also as if stuck in “W” mode.
(Note, her car doesn’t have “economy” or “sport” modes. Just a big “winter” button.” Also worth noting that it started throwing “cylinder misfire 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, while the car was running fine.

So, because her car has about 170,000 on it, I bought a transmission that was tested at a junkyard, installed it, changed all fluids, etc. the car started up on the first try, but STILL has the blinking arrow and is doing the same thing as the old transmission. It starts up in neutral and park, so the PNP switch seems to be fine. After a week of frustration, I had it towed to a respectable shop “ReVolv,” who have always done fine work. They said the PNP switch looks different from their other 4-sp autos, and aren’t coming up with any codes.

Any suggestions? I’m dismally stuck, the wife needs her car back. Please and thank you.

Post by **misha** » 16 Feb 2020, 15:16

You didn't need new transmission.
All you had to do was to read and clear TCM codes...since they appeared when you jumped the battery to start it along with misfire codes.

ECU WILL reset after battery is being disconnected for a while...BUT TCM codes will remain stored untill read & cleared with special Volvo scan tool like VIDA(since it's '99).

Low voltage can do all kind of things to these cars since they have modules for everything and they don't like low voltage in their system.

Also....from '97 and on...all s,v,c,xc70 have 5speed automatic..not 4speed like 850 have....and flashing arrow means that there are codes stored in TCM.

Again....TCM needs VIDA volvo scan tool to read & clear the codes.
Regular scan tools will NOT have access to TCM or any other module in the car except ECU.

Post by **scot850** » 16 Feb 2020, 20:58

Misha. Not sure the V70XC had a 5 speed auto. My 98 had a 4 speed, and I thought in North America only the V/S70 base got the 5 speed auto in 2000 MY as well as the 'R'.

Neil.

Post by **June** » 16 Feb 2020, 21:59

scot850 wrote: ↑16 Feb 2020, 20:58 Misha. Not sure the V70XC had a 5 speed auto. My 98 had a 4 speed, and I thought in North America only the V/S70 base got the 5 speed auto in 2000 MY as well as the 'R'.

Neil.

My 98 I'm pretty sure had a 4 speed. It used Dextron rather than the newer type 4 fluid. I bought many quarts at gas stations. June

Post by **misha** » 17 Feb 2020, 01:46

Yes...you are correct...those market differences confused me.
S,v,c,xc70 only had adaptive transmission without econ,sport & winter switch....just W.

We had 5speed auto in '99 for EU market cars and U.S market didn't had 5 speed auto untill '00.

Still....this doesn't change the fact about TCM stored codes.

Post by **abscate** » 17 Feb 2020, 01:47

You use less ATF if you rollover just your odometer and not your whole car....

You got that extra 5th early for those long Siberian winters

BadluckBK · Post by **BadluckBK** » 19 Feb 2020, 13:09

Update. Still at the shop, they said the PNP switch “looks” different, but it still starts up in park and neutral... they said that the TCM is married to the car itself and they have all of the proper equipment to scan it, but there are no codes, it’s perfectly clean... still the blinking arrow on the dash and still not drivable. (I also owe them $100 for the hour of testing, and I’m out 2 60mile tows)

Post by **misha** » 19 Feb 2020, 13:21

With flashing arrow....there must be codes stored.
Flashing arrow indicates that there are problem with transmission and that there are codes stored.

Sometimes TCM send request to ECU and vice versa to turn ON cel when specific codes are stored.ECU & TCM are communicating all the time.
On "bastard" cars(from '99 and '00)...where all modules share the same CAN communication network and where modules are married to the car....if there are lack of comms between ECU & TCM all kind of problems can appear.

BUT....if that is the case....at least one of those modules must throw a comms problem code.

What about ECU....are there any codes stored?

Again....specific Volvo scan tool must be used for diagnosing...generic ones have limited access.

It would be a good idea to check ALL grounds...especially the main one on transmission housing.
Straps towards the firewall too....ALL grounds.

BadluckBK · Post by **BadluckBK** » 21 Feb 2020, 22:43

The shop has the specific Volvo scanning tool that can communicate with the TCM, they couldn’t find anything

Post by **abscate** » 22 Feb 2020, 04:03

BadluckBK wrote: ↑21 Feb 2020, 22:43 The shop has the specific Volvo scanning tool that can communicate with the TCM, they couldn’t find anything

Are they using VIDA or something else?