Over the last 19 years I’ve been able to find my way through and solve the problems, challenges and fixes on my 2002 V70. But I have hit a brick wall on the latest thing to pop up; Loss of power / acceleration to the wheels and “shift flaring”. Any help from the VolvoForums community is greatly appreciated.

The Car:
- 2000 Volvo V70

- 234,500 mi

- Non-Turbo

- AW55-50/51 SN Transmission

- 2nd Owner – Purchased in 2002 with 25,000 mi



Symptoms:

- The problem started out with no power / acceleration in reverse

- Quickly morphed into loss of power / acceleration to the wheels and “shift flaring” in drive

- Luckily I “Limped” home.

- The next day there was no transmission engagement in Reverse or Drive



Codes pulled using a Foxwell AutoMaster Pro:

- TCM-002A Gear 3 Incorrect Gear Ratio

- P0733 Gear 3 Incorrect Gear Ratio

- P1618 Glow Plug / Heater Relay Circuit Short to B+



Other problem Indicators:

- Flashing Arrow warning light

- Check Engine Light

- When changing the transmission fluid; the fluid pumped out slow and erratically. It was a slow process.



What I have done so far:

- B4 Servo Cover Update

- Transmission Fluid Change (also changed @53K, 70K, 157K, 194K)



Current Status:

- The transmission is going into reverse, but not as in normal operation

- When backing-up the transmission is “shuddering”

- The Drive and the Low gears are engaging, but not as in normal operation

- When driving, there are still “shift flares” and loss of power to the wheels

- Still pulling P1618 Glow Plug / Heater Relay Circuit Short to B+

- Occasionally getting P0733 Gear 3 Incorrect Gear Ratio

- Running out of ideas; I decided to go through the process to reset the Service Reminder Indicator light (even though it wasn’t on). Upon starting the engine, the transmission was quick to engage in Reverse and Drive; it seemed normal. But as the car continued to run, gear engagement became weak again.

Miscellaneous:

- I haven’t ruled out the PNP switch, but it just doesn’t seem have the classic symptoms. The engine starts without problems, reverse lights work and no P0705 code.

- I have not had any software updates since owning the car



Looking forward to hearing from the Volvo Community.



-K_Dog

 

Incorrect ratio codes occur because the transmission is slipping - shuddering also happens due to slipping clutches - sounds like you need new clutch packs

 

I thought about the clutches also, but thought this would be something that gradually got worse over time with slipping increasing gradually; does that make sense..? My issue happened from one day to the next.

 

I'd check the output pressures of the pump. That can be done externally. Harbor Freight even sells one.
The description of "slow and erratic" pump-out pressures made me think of it.
Low operation pressures would cause flares and let the clutch packs rub themselves away.

Maybe the bores and piston seals in your valve body are all scratched up and leaking badly? They can also hang up.

 

Swap the valve body first. Something the valves hang up inside when they get hot

 

Pump may not be building sufficient pressure. did you check the TF level?