V70 G/box: 2WD: - Automatic transmission problems - Page 2

Jim314 · Oct 5th, 2010, 20:58

What is the basis for these mechanics identifying this as automatic transmission fluid (ATF) overheating? Did they access the computer read trouble codes indicating that?

Is it so mountainous in that part of Chile that the OE ATF cooler in the radiator is definitely known to be insufficient? Do you have episodes where the engine coolant temperature gauge is rising well above normal? Even if you do, the coolant in the radiator should not be very elevated, but if the engine is overheating significantly, then so this could indicate that the temp of the coolant in the radiator might get high enough to reduce the effectiveness of the ATF cooler in the radiator.

All these Aisin AW auto transmissions have an ATF cooler in the radiator. Heat in the ATF flows across the walls of a metal tube and into the liquid coolant mix in the radiator as the ATFis pumped through the cooler. The coolant in the radiator would normally be at or near ambient air temperature and under ordinary circumstances this should be sufficient to cool the tranny fluid.

For towing heavy loads up hills at speed or going up steep and long mountain roads at high speed, then you might need an auxiliary tranny cooler. These are placed in series with the original ATF cooler.

I have a 2004 FWD V70 2.4L non-turbo with 5-spd auto, AW55-51SN non-geartronic, with only 45 kmi on it. At about 43 kmi I had the dealer check the tranny because the fluid was no longer clear bright red, and I had had a few episodes of the tranny missing one of the lower shifts (maybe the 2-to-3 shift) and revving high. (I believe this malfunction is called 'flaring').

They reportedly found no codes and changed the fluid. I have not had a recurrence of the problem. But I don't drive in the mountains with a heavy load.

mustangJim · Feb 25th, 2012, 22:15

As I read about the others problems I now know that the Volvo fwd automatic tranny is JUNK !! I bought my 2003 V70 2 months ago. What I found once I had the PCV system replaced is that the tranny would start off slow then bang into some gear and take off. It had other issues too as I was driving. The shop I take the car to is a Volvo approved shop. They noticed the same problems and did a software up grade. At 1st this didn't do much but the more we drive the better it seems to be. I also changed the fluid. The person I bought the car from did it about 10K miles ago. The real problem the tranny has that CONCERNS me is when it is shifted into reverse it BANGS hard and you would think the engine and tranny are going to fall out of the car. The ONLY time it doesn't do this is in the morning. I start it up, let it warm up a bit then put it into reverse and it's fine. Back out into the street, put it into drive and go 10 ft, stop put it in reverse and BANG. From there on it does this the entire day. Next morning it's fine for the 1st back up. The shop is puzzled about this. They did suggest getting a rebuilt tranny from Volvo or one with less miles. They do NOT have any thing good to say about the Volvo FWD or AWD trannys. Anyway if anyone out there has any ideas as to what / why it does this and what is the cure I'd love to hear from you. Thanks

TurboZutek · Feb 26th, 2012, 00:18

Actually the AW transmissions are excellent and live long, satisfying lives with full reliability on many other cars that use the same transmission.

The differences? Those other car companies specify a 35 - 50K ATF change interval and Volvo does not (except in special circumstances, like heavy towing). Also, those other manufacturers do a much better job of writing the firmware to run the auto-boxes than Volvo did.

So yeah, in my opinion if you want an auto-trans to last, keep the ATF clean and keep an eye on software updates for your box!

Also, to anyone finding their car lurching or making you feel sick while it changes up or down a gear, it's always worth a quick check of the engine mounts. In many cases, a worn engine mount produces the effect and it gets blamed on the transmission.

Chris...

BigJon · Feb 26th, 2012, 11:57

Hi, it is mentioned that it is a good idea to check the level of the gearbox fluid. My car is not shifting well and bangs into gear if I use the kickdown. I have checked the level with the engine warm and it is really overfull. Do I have to have the engine running to establish a correct level? Thanks in advance

Chris_Rogers · Feb 26th, 2012, 11:59

Yes you do.

BigJon · Feb 26th, 2012, 12:00

Thanks for the quick reply. I was checking it with the engine off, maybe that's why it's so overful. I'll go and check it again now. Cheers

MarkStevens82 · Dec 16th, 2015, 01:15

Hi, I recently bought a volvo v70 mk3 2.4d auto and for the past week the gearbox seems to slip in 2nd and 3rd when it's cold. I've never had an auto before so I don't know if it's normal for it to do that when the engine is cold, it's a lot better when up to temperature but a friend has told me it might need and oil change. Has anyone had this problem before?

oragex · Dec 16th, 2015, 02:06

is it a 5 or 6 speed and what mileage? To measure the fluid level the car has to be driven for at least half an hour, with the engine running.

MarkStevens82 · Dec 16th, 2015, 05:08

It's a 2.4d geartronic 6 speed. It's 2009 and only done 48500 miles. Do you know how to check transmission oil level ?

jasmith44 · Dec 16th, 2015, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by oragex

driven for at least half an hour, with the engine running.

Surely there is no other way to drive or IS THERE ? LOL

Feb 25th, 2012, 22:15	#12
mustangJim New Member Last Online: Feb 25th, 2012 22:15 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Santa Rosa	2003 V70 2.4T tanny problem As I read about the others problems I now know that the Volvo fwd automatic tranny is JUNK !! I bought my 2003 V70 2 months ago. What I found once I had the PCV system replaced is that the tranny would start off slow then bang into some gear and take off. It had other issues too as I was driving. The shop I take the car to is a Volvo approved shop. They noticed the same problems and did a software up grade. At 1st this didn't do much but the more we drive the better it seems to be. I also changed the fluid. The person I bought the car from did it about 10K miles ago. The real problem the tranny has that CONCERNS me is when it is shifted into reverse it BANGS hard and you would think the engine and tranny are going to fall out of the car. The ONLY time it doesn't do this is in the morning. I start it up, let it warm up a bit then put it into reverse and it's fine. Back out into the street, put it into drive and go 10 ft, stop put it in reverse and BANG. From there on it does this the entire day. Next morning it's fine for the 1st back up. The shop is puzzled about this. They did suggest getting a rebuilt tranny from Volvo or one with less miles. They do NOT have any thing good to say about the Volvo FWD or AWD trannys. Anyway if anyone out there has any ideas as to what / why it does this and what is the cure I'd love to hear from you. Thanks

Feb 26th, 2012, 00:18	#13
TurboZutek Premier Member Last Online: Jan 3rd, 2020 00:42 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NB, Canada	Actually the AW transmissions are excellent and live long, satisfying lives with full reliability on many other cars that use the same transmission. The differences? Those other car companies specify a 35 - 50K ATF change interval and Volvo does not (except in special circumstances, like heavy towing). Also, those other manufacturers do a much better job of writing the firmware to run the auto-boxes than Volvo did. So yeah, in my opinion if you want an auto-trans to last, keep the ATF clean and keep an eye on software updates for your box! Also, to anyone finding their car lurching or making you feel sick while it changes up or down a gear, it's always worth a quick check of the engine mounts. In many cases, a worn engine mount produces the effect and it gets blamed on the transmission. Chris... __________________ Sealed For Life Transmission: "The unit is sealed until it dies from dirty, old fluid which should have been replaced."

Feb 26th, 2012, 11:57	#14
BigJon Junior Member Last Online: May 31st, 2012 21:05 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: yeovil	How do I check the auto gearbox fluid level? Hi, it is mentioned that it is a good idea to check the level of the gearbox fluid. My car is not shifting well and bangs into gear if I use the kickdown. I have checked the level with the engine warm and it is really overfull. Do I have to have the engine running to establish a correct level? Thanks in advance

Dec 16th, 2015, 02:06	#18
oragex Premier Member Last Online: Jul 26th, 2021 21:24 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Coldnada	is it a 5 or 6 speed and what mileage? To measure the fluid level the car has to be driven for at least half an hour, with the engine running. __________________ Several Volvo Repair Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...ECTts0FSVSOT_c

Oct 5th, 2010, 20:58	#11
Jim314 Premier Member Last Online: Nov 20th, 2018 01:45 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dallas, Texas	What is the basis for these mechanics identifying this as automatic transmission fluid (ATF) overheating? Did they access the computer read trouble codes indicating that? Is it so mountainous in that part of Chile that the OE ATF cooler in the radiator is definitely known to be insufficient? Do you have episodes where the engine coolant temperature gauge is rising well above normal? Even if you do, the coolant in the radiator should not be very elevated, but if the engine is overheating significantly, then so this could indicate that the temp of the coolant in the radiator might get high enough to reduce the effectiveness of the ATF cooler in the radiator. All these Aisin AW auto transmissions have an ATF cooler in the radiator. Heat in the ATF flows across the walls of a metal tube and into the liquid coolant mix in the radiator as the ATFis pumped through the cooler. The coolant in the radiator would normally be at or near ambient air temperature and under ordinary circumstances this should be sufficient to cool the tranny fluid. For towing heavy loads up hills at speed or going up steep and long mountain roads at high speed, then you might need an auxiliary tranny cooler. These are placed in series with the original ATF cooler. I have a 2004 FWD V70 2.4L non-turbo with 5-spd auto, AW55-51SN non-geartronic, with only 45 kmi on it. At about 43 kmi I had the dealer check the tranny because the fluid was no longer clear bright red, and I had had a few episodes of the tranny missing one of the lower shifts (maybe the 2-to-3 shift) and revving high. (I believe this malfunction is called 'flaring'). They reportedly found no codes and changed the fluid. I have not had a recurrence of the problem. But I don't drive in the mountains with a heavy load.

Feb 26th, 2012, 11:59	#15
Chris_Rogers VOC Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2017 16:55 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: South Kent Coast	Yes you do.

Feb 26th, 2012, 12:00	#16
BigJon Junior Member Last Online: May 31st, 2012 21:05 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: yeovil	Thanks for the quick reply. I was checking it with the engine off, maybe that's why it's so overful. I'll go and check it again now. Cheers

Dec 16th, 2015, 01:15	#17
MarkStevens82 New Member Last Online: Oct 8th, 2016 21:09 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Crosby / liverpool	Hi, I recently bought a volvo v70 mk3 2.4d auto and for the past week the gearbox seems to slip in 2nd and 3rd when it's cold. I've never had an auto before so I don't know if it's normal for it to do that when the engine is cold, it's a lot better when up to temperature but a friend has told me it might need and oil change. Has anyone had this problem before?

Dec 16th, 2015, 05:08	#19
MarkStevens82 New Member Last Online: Oct 8th, 2016 21:09 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Crosby / liverpool	It's a 2.4d geartronic 6 speed. It's 2009 and only done 48500 miles. Do you know how to check transmission oil level ?

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