[tori]

Hello, just stumbled across this and thought I'd add some thoughts. I had a similar problem but I hope yours won't prove as traumatic.

I have a 2000 V70 XC Classic with an auto box. About 8 months ago it began to show a gearbox fault (didn't go into limp but probably should have).

My main advice from the benefit of bitter experience is don't go to Volvo. Dealership garages these days train the mechanics to fit not fix things. Their solution to anything is to bolt on a new one. They charged me £180 to tell me what a good automatic gearbox specialist would tell you for free and were going to charge me 3 times what I actually paid in the end. Speak to your normal local independent garage mechanic, if he's worth his salt he'll know of a local auto specialist. Go to them.

I found out too late the these older V70 XCs are known for dodgy auto boxes, this is apparently really common with them but as they're such relatively rare vehicles good luck finding a second-hand or reconned box as they're rare as rocking-horse poo. I had to have my own box reconditioned after months of trying to find one.

Hopefully yours won't get to that drastic but be prepared. Mine had the warning light, was lurching and slipping gear at 30mph-ish, would try to lurch forward whilst holding it on the foot brake and was very clunky changing gear. If this sounds familiar let me know and I'll give you the info of what was wrong with mine, but its a long and sorry story and not me worth boring you with.

Suggestions you might want to check out are check the drive-shafts, problems here would give a gearbox fault. A good mechanic would be able to see visually if there was a problem. Also check the 4x4 differential - not technical on this but apparently there is a box, secondary to the main gearbox which contains whatever makes it go 4x4! This is known to leak and to develop faults.

But take my advice and find a local independent automatic gearbox specialist. And good luck.