V70 XC Auto Transmission fault?

[treesaregreen]

Hi hope you can help. (V70 XC 2.5 auto)

Its my husbands car (he's had to go out in another vehicle) neither of us know much about cars so please excuse the numptyness and could any replies please be in laymans terms ;o)

Anyway have not had the car long, it does not get much use (hubby has a work van and I have a car) it has a f.s.h and 135k on the clock. (R reg think its a 1998/99 (can't remember sorry))

He's gone to go out in it tonight and there is an arrow flashing on the dash with a light flashing on the winter mode button on the auto box (its in eco mode) The manual says automatic transmission fault and to put it in 'L' (limp mode??) and drive it to the nearest Volve dealership.

Are we looking at major money to get it fixed? What is the likely cause?, sensor?? and would an independant be able to sort it or would it be best going to a dealership?

We do have a friend who does know about cars (though I doubt as in depth as you guys re this particular model) so do you think the repair could be carried out by someone with a bit of know how?

Thanks in advance for any help

[capt jack]

Well, like the book says, you need to drive the car carefully to a Volvo dealer or a reputable garage with the wherewithall to read and interpret the fault codes. L means Low in this instance - basically the car will stay in 1st gear and not change up.

If the car is under any sort of warranty then take it back to the supplier.

It could be simple - a faulty sensor, a poor connection etc, or it could be big time - new gearbox I suppose at the worst.

Were the car mine I'd personally get this one checked out by a Volvo dealer. You know for sure that they will have the right kit for the job. Then once you've got a diagnosis, come back on here and let us know what they say.

If you're at all mechanically minded then you could try the following:

1. Check the fluid level. The hand book will tell you how. Follow the procedure exactly. Also, check the colour and smell of the fluid. It should a clear brownish to red colour. If it's very black with an offensive smell then that's not so good. If it's very obviously bright pinky red and new then it's been changed recently - and it would be interesting to know why.
2. With the engine off, move the gear lever rapidly through all the positions a dozen or so times. The lever is connected to a switch which can get dirty - and the rapid movement cleans it up.
3.Disconnect the battery negative terminal overnight, then reconnect the next morning to see if that clears the fault code.

There are two things not to do:

1. Panic
2. Ignore it!

Good luck

Cheers

Jack

[treesaregreen]

Thanks for your reply CaptJack

Now I did say we were numpties but which fluid level are we talking about? The fluid level for the gear box?

[The Hooded Claw]

Yes petal the Gearbox (or Transmission) oil .... Dip Stick to the right hand side of the Engine (at the Front) as your standing looking into the Engine

dip stick will/Should be Yellow in colour

Keith

[treesaregreen]

Thanks Hoodedclaw

Right have moved the gear lever forwards and backwards a few times but arrow still there flashing on dash when I turned ignition on.

So have now disconnected the negative from the battery and checked the fluid level - its pinky/brown.

So I guess its a wait until tomorrow to see if the fault code clears when the negative is reconnected?

Any other ideas?

[treesaregreen]

Scrap that about checking the fluid, having consulted the manual we apparently checked the brake fluid (doh) So at the moment I have no idea what colour it is.

So will have to wait until tomorrow now when the negative is connected again so we can idle the engine to check the 'transmission' fluid (if the fault still persists)

I am so sorry, but I did say we were numpties, not totally inept but very willing to learn and take advice. (gosh I feel stupid 'blush' )

[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.

[treesaregreen]

Hi Tori

Thanks for your post. I have never driven the car, but my husband last drove it on Saturday night and it was driving perfectly, smooth gear changes etc nothing to make you think there was a problem. So fingers crossed it is nothing as drastic as yours.

The engine management light is also on (Sorry I omitted this vital bit of info last night I was panicking and acting like a headless chicken) We are hoping it is a sensor, Mr Treesaregreen spoke to his mate today and he seams to think that is what the problem is - but would welcome the thoughts from you guys on here who would have more experience.

We are thinking of taking it to a local diagnostic place with the view of it being a sensor and the fact that the engine management light it on, is this the right first port of call do you think?

Many thanks to you all for your help, I really do appreciate it.

[The Hooded Claw]

Originally Posted by treesaregreen

Hi Tori

Thanks for your post. I have never driven the car, but my husband last drove it on Saturday night and it was driving perfectly, smooth gear changes etc nothing to make you think there was a problem. So fingers crossed it is nothing as drastic as yours.

The engine management light is also on (Sorry I omitted this vital bit of info last night I was panicking and acting like a headless chicken) We are hoping it is a sensor, Mr Treesaregreen spoke to his mate today and he seams to think that is what the problem is - but would welcome the thoughts from you guys on here who would have more experience.

We are thinking of taking it to a local diagnostic place with the view of it being a sensor and the fact that the engine management light it on, is this the right first port of call do you think?

Many thanks to you all for your help, I really do appreciate it.

Excellent FIRST MOVE Petal, ALWAYS get the Codes read FIRST ..then you now where to start looking for the problem instead of Bumbling about in the Dark HOPING you "Fall over" the Fault.

Please do keep us updated & post the codes you find in here & we'll be able to help further with your problem


Keith

[treesaregreen]

Thanks Hoodedclaw

Have arranged for mobile diagnostics to come out this afternoon so will let you know what they find.

Thanks again for all your help everyone