Slipping transmission 2008 XC AWD 3.3L

kabonk · Mar 9th, 2022, 21:11

I have searched this forum and did not see anything that sounded the exact same as the issue we are having. I apologize if I missed something.

My son purchased his XC90 used about a month ago. It has 130K miles. He purchased it and drove it home from 70 miles away. He drove it for the next 3 weeks with no problems (all shorter drives). When he went to drive on a 120 mile trip, after about 2 hours when he was on the highway at highway speed his transmission began slipping. He did not get any error messages. He pulled over and after a few minutes began to drive again, it started to stutter/slip in lower gears. He pulled off to a restaurant and let it sit for about 30 minutes. He then drove it 20 minutes with no problem to a park and ride where we picked up the car and brought it home to work on it.

After some research, we decided to drain and refill with 4 qts three times, let it get up to temp and then set the fluid level as seen in most of the online descriptions and videos. (We did not pull cooler lines and flush)

(As an aside, when we warmed up the system we got a misfire code and replaced the plugs and coils as well.)

After this was done, he drove it on the highway for 2 hours continuously near our home and all was well. He left the next day for a longer drive and after one hour again had a slip at highway speeds. He pulled over and let the car sit for 20 minutes and then drove home no problems. He has been driving it the last week for short trips with no issues.

Any insight on what this might be. I notice that to change the trans filter, you need to pull the transmission and disassemble (great design).

I have rebuilt powerglide automatic transmissions before and would attempt this one, but I don't know if that is where the issue lies.

I would also note that this XC90 shifter is a bit loose going from auto to manual mode.

Anything else to look at/try? Valve body solenoids, shifter, trans filter, transmission position sensor...

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Tannaton · Mar 10th, 2022, 13:51

I would next try getting a software update done at the dealer - this can fix some issues - make sure it is up to date.

I know it seems fanciful that a software update would fix what seems to be a mechanical issue but on my own car it did just that (jolting/banging between P and R).

kabonk · Mar 10th, 2022, 21:07

Is there any way to check what level is in it?

Mar 9th, 2022, 21:11	#1
kabonk New Member Last Online: Mar 16th, 2022 18:58 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Milan	Slipping transmission 2008 XC AWD 3.3L I have searched this forum and did not see anything that sounded the exact same as the issue we are having. I apologize if I missed something. My son purchased his XC90 used about a month ago. It has 130K miles. He purchased it and drove it home from 70 miles away. He drove it for the next 3 weeks with no problems (all shorter drives). When he went to drive on a 120 mile trip, after about 2 hours when he was on the highway at highway speed his transmission began slipping. He did not get any error messages. He pulled over and after a few minutes began to drive again, it started to stutter/slip in lower gears. He pulled off to a restaurant and let it sit for about 30 minutes. He then drove it 20 minutes with no problem to a park and ride where we picked up the car and brought it home to work on it. After some research, we decided to drain and refill with 4 qts three times, let it get up to temp and then set the fluid level as seen in most of the online descriptions and videos. (We did not pull cooler lines and flush) (As an aside, when we warmed up the system we got a misfire code and replaced the plugs and coils as well.) After this was done, he drove it on the highway for 2 hours continuously near our home and all was well. He left the next day for a longer drive and after one hour again had a slip at highway speeds. He pulled over and let the car sit for 20 minutes and then drove home no problems. He has been driving it the last week for short trips with no issues. Any insight on what this might be. I notice that to change the trans filter, you need to pull the transmission and disassemble (great design). I have rebuilt powerglide automatic transmissions before and would attempt this one, but I don't know if that is where the issue lies. I would also note that this XC90 shifter is a bit loose going from auto to manual mode. Anything else to look at/try? Valve body solenoids, shifter, trans filter, transmission position sensor... Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Mar 10th, 2022, 13:51	#2
Tannaton Bungling Amateur Last Online: Today 20:19 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Beverley, East Yorks	I would next try getting a software update done at the dealer - this can fix some issues - make sure it is up to date. I know it seems fanciful that a software update would fix what seems to be a mechanical issue but on my own car it did just that (jolting/banging between P and R). __________________ 2011 XC90 D5 Executive 2003 C70 T5 GT 2012 Ford Ranger XL SC 1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500 1976 Massey Ferguson 135

Mar 10th, 2022, 21:07	#3
kabonk New Member Last Online: Mar 16th, 2022 18:58 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Milan	Is there any way to check what level is in it?

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