I have a 01 s40 with about 150 000 miles on it. Starting to have trouble when transmission gets hot, usually in traffic or stop and go, where it starts to downshift hard between 2nd and 1st gear. Also sometimes it slips when trying to find the gear on acceleration. I've read multiple things in this forum about similar issues and just want to know if there really is a software update, if the problem could be with the TCM or is the transmission going. Thanks

 

Mine 2001 is starting to act up too. I recently did a drain-n-refill as this replaces about 50% of the old fluid with new. The old fluid was almost black like motor oil. It should be red. The next change will get the new fluid ratio to about 75%. I have heard of others accomplishing this 4 times total. This is not the same thing as a flush as it does not stir up the settled gunk inside the trans.

Not sure about the software update though. If the trans has always acted fine then I would doubt it's the software anyway.

 

thanks for the reply

 

I was getting close to the same thing. After exiting the highway I would get really rough shifts and hard downshifts at stop lights. It even set the "service transmission" warning message. This is after I drained and filled the transmission 3 times.

I recently received a postcard from Volvo offering free software updates. I took it in and asked for the free updates for my car, especially the transmission updates. It has been a few days and no hard shifts and no rough acceleration due to the former "neutral shift" feature that is now removed.

 

Nice to hear. I better check on mine then to see what is available too.

 

Alright, so is this a manufacturer recall, or what. I live in Chicago, and i havent got anything from the dealer yet. Should i call and ask?

 

Definitely call and let us know what you find. It's not a safety recall as the 2001 model only has 1 recall in effect for a diode in the blower motor wiring harness. I'm betting it's not a free update to those of us who bought the car used or who do not use the dealer for service on the car. I just can't see my local dealer doing this for free. Please prove me wrong.

 

i know this is an old thread but never fixed the problem with the hard downshifting. The flashing arrow also comes on if the car is idling in the park position. I've read on numerous forums that this could be a problem with the pnp switch. I've also read though that if the pnp switch is faulty the car has trouble starting. I never have problems starting. I do get the code 705 wivh reads transmission range sensor. Any help would be appreciated, I'm thinking of changing the pnp switch but not sure if it would solve the problem or the tranny has other issues. Thanks

 

My 02 S40 required a new pnp switch (on transmission at selector linkage) at about 110k miles. It simply would not turn over/start (thinking it was still in gear). Cycling thru the gears with the shifter did allow me to start it after a little while. I replaced the switch with a new one from rockauto.com and never had another starting problem. Your problem doesn't sound like the pnp.

 

I agree, I'm not sure it's the pnp switch either. The only reason I'm asking is cause I do get code 700 and 705 wich is the transmission range sensor (pnp switch). If anybody has any other ideas please share.

 

I'm wondering if it could be the tcm, anybody know where it's located on the s40?