Gearbox sherlock needed

[MarkusVolvo]

Hello! I think you have a lot to do but if you will give me some advices I will be so happy!

Ok I have a Volvo V70 D5 2012, it has 15300 km on the odometer, approximately 35000 miles I think .
The other day when I should start the car it did not start. I pushed the button, I heard the fuel pump start but there was nothing more. I went out of the car. Locked the car and started over again. The same result, nothing happened when try to start the car. The shift-lever was stuck in P. When trying to move the shifter, an error message were displayed – motor service needed. I locked the car and suddenly the car started after trying this cycle some 2-3 times. The shift-lock were released and I could put the gear into D. When driving away the gears whet crazy. Hard shifts, random shifts, the gearbox were living its own life. This was Saturday and on Monday the car were scheduled for service with an optional gearbox oil-change. When picking up the car, it seemed fixed but no. After some kilometers the gears started to live it´s own life again. The car was stranded at home and was so for a week.
After a week I started the car, it started on the first attempt. I drove it away and it worked flawlessly. The gears were perfect and I took it to the petrol station. When trying to start after filling diesel into the car, it did not start! Only the fuelpump were pulsating when I pushed the button. I went out and tried to move the car back and forth in order to get some motion in the gearbox. The stick was firmed in place in P. When trying this for a while the car suddenly started. It worked perfect. I bought a new battery, this was suggested to be the problem according to some. I installed the battery and the car worked almost flawlessly for one week. Only two situations when the car refused to start. The gears were functioning perfect, only two incidents when the gearbox hesitated to shift gear.
This Friday after work I took the car to the city. When I was trying to start the car it did not start. It took me some 30 minutes to get it to start. I pushed the car back and forward with the stick in P. Suddenly the car started. The first few 100 meters the car worked normally. But in a roundabout it suddenly had problem to change gear. The gearbox seemed to not find a gear, the engine felt not so energic and I was literarily jumping thru the roundabout. After the roundabout the gearbox stopped changing gears. I could drive but there was now only one gear. At least I took the car home.
When the problems appear the orange lights left of the gearstick is not working. Sometimes after stopping the car the lights start to light. Another error message came up. Anti-spin system service needed. When trying to drive the car. It is very hard to make it start. It always says put the gear into P even if the gear is in P. When driving the display is randomly changing D P D P D P and when going in reverse the back-sensor-image is flashing in the display. Even if the engine is on the stick is stuck in P and I need to use the key in order to put the gear into D.
Before this happened in the first place. The car had not been used for a week and it was heavy rain outside.
Is this the valvesystem? But why cannot I put the gear into D? Why does not the engine start?
Is this the control-unit to the gearbox? But why will not the engine start?
Is this something else? The cables under the batteribox?
Is this the gearbox totally? The start-engine? The fuel pump?

I would be sooo grateful if there would be anyone that could help me understand what could cause this problems.

[ferg55]

The gear shift lever has an electronic module beneath it, which will no doubt:

- control the park lock;
- send signal to the Engine Control Unit to tell it when the shift lever is in P or N (ECU won't allow car to start in any other position);
- send signal to the Transmission Control Module to tell it when the shift lever is in P, R, N or D, and up/down shift lever movements for when changing gear manually.

It sounds like in the heavy rain your windscreen leaked (from the top, because the bond has failed, which is a common issue) and rain water has dripped from the interior light lens, onto the centre consul, and entered the shift lever module. So now it is:

- not controlling the park lock correctly, preventing it from moving;
- sending incorrect signal to the ECU regarding P or N, preventing the car from starting;
- sending incorrect signal to the TCM regarding P,R,N,D & manual shift lever movement, causing erratic gear selection.

If you can remove the shift lever assembly, dry it out (maybe in a warm oven), and refit it, that may solve your issue.

Just my guess

[MarkusVolvo]

Originally Posted by ferg55

The gear shift lever has an electronic module beneath it, which will no doubt:

- control the park lock;
- send signal to the Engine Control Unit to tell it when the shift lever is in P or N (ECU won't allow car to start in any other position);
- send signal to the Transmission Control Module to tell it when the shift lever is in P, R, N or D, and up/down shift lever movements for when changing gear manually.

It sounds like in the heavy rain your windscreen leaked (from the top, because the bond has failed, which is a common issue) and rain water has dripped from the interior light lens, onto the centre consul, and entered the shift lever module. So now it is:

- not controlling the park lock correctly, preventing it from moving;
- sending incorrect signal to the ECU regarding P or N, preventing the car from starting;
- sending incorrect signal to the TCM regarding P,R,N,D & manual shift lever movement, causing erratic gear selection.

If you can remove the shift lever assembly, dry it out (maybe in a warm oven), and refit it, that may solve your issue.

Just my guess

It is a very interesting theory! I have replaced the windshield recently and this might be the cause. I will try to take out the shift lever assembly and try to dry it up or replace it. Then I also must check if the windshield is leaking. It is replaced for just some month ago. Interesting!!

Thank you so much!!

[ferg55]

Originally Posted by MarkusVolvo

Then I also must check if the windshield is leaking. It is replaced for just some month ago.

That is interesting, usually it is the original Volvo windscreen bond which fails, and a replacement stops the leak, but I guess the replacement could also leak if not installed well. Please let us know what you find.

[MarkusVolvo]

Originally Posted by ferg55

That is interesting, usually it is the original Volvo windscreen bond which fails, and a replacement stops the leak, but I guess the replacement could also leak if not installed well. Please let us know what you find.

Ok, now I have changed the gear-shifter with no result. There are still the message "put lever into P" but the lever IS in P. The car will not start and now I am charging the battery since the notice "low battery" appeared yesterday. It is a brand new battery.

Now I wonder. Which part of the car is giving the light to the gear-lever-module? This LED lights has, with this new and also- old -shifter randomly flashed or not lit up at all. Recently there has been no lights at al.

I also wonder with part detects and give signal about the lever if it is in P or not? The cablage from the lever had no wear and was ok. Could this be the cables under the battery-box that are causing all these problems? Which part releases the electrical P-lock? This is not working either. Even when the engine is idle. Hm...which electrical part is not working?

I do need to buy a VIDA/VICE In order to read the error-codes. I cannot take the car to Volvo since it does not start and cannot be driven at the moment.

What is your theory? It was not rain thru the windshield... I do changed the lever to a newer one so even if it was unnecessary I do like the new look

[Olaf Els]

Originally Posted by MarkusVolvo

I changed the lever to a newer one so even if it was unnecessary I do like the new look

If you've replaced the original gear lever with a different one, that's the first thing I'd be looking at as a possible cause. Was the replacement lever from a used vehicle or scrap yard? If you still have the original components, my suggestion would be to reinstate them and take it from there.

[MarkusVolvo]

Originally Posted by Olaf Els

If you've replaced the original gear lever with a different one, that's the first thing I'd be looking at as a possible cause. Was the replacement lever from a used vehicle or scrap yard? If you still have the original components, my suggestion would be to reinstate them and take it from there.

Well I don't think that is a problem. There're are no programming or electronic in the gear lever. It is highly unrealistic that two gearshifters has the same problem. There must be something else that causes this. I need to buy a Vida/Vice instrument.

[Olaf Els]

Originally Posted by MarkusVolvo

Well I don't think that is a problem. There're are no programming or electronic in the gear lever. It is highly unrealistic that two gearshifters has the same problem. There must be something else that causes this. I need to buy a Vida/Vice instrument.

You're right. I misread the your previous posts. My apologies.

[MarkusVolvo]

The car will not start at all now. After trying to start there is a high pitched noice from the engine. I localized the sound to the TCM module. There were also some water close to the TCM and around. Is the TCM module sensitive for water? That might be the problem? I think the water has come in to the engine bay from the battery-box-seal towards the wind-shield. Do you think the TCM could be damaged because of this?

[ferg55]

Your theory sounds possible, all modules are sensitive to water if it enters the casing. But changing a TCM is complicated and expensive - I think at this stage you would be best to have the car towed to a good Volvo specialist who can plug in VIDA and diagnose the fault for sure.