Hi, this is my first postregardingmy first Volvo. I love this car but recent diagnosis said that I need a new Transmission Control Module. The problem is that between the gearshifts the car hesitates or seems to slip.
I got a huge estimate on the repair from the dealer. I am wondering how much does this Module actually cost? How hard is it to install it? Should I stop driving the car until it's repaired?

BTW, great user forum!

Thanks.

 

My car does this from time to time, and the problem seems rather endemic.

The service bulletin for this particular problem does say that, yes, the TCM should be replaced. Others have said that they could clear out the old software and put in new.
Which I would guess would be cheaper and, since there is nothing mechanically wrong with the transmission, less "invasive"...

I don't know. Independent Volvo specialists, I have found, can sometimes give a good second opinion and save you some money.

 

Thanks cmj912. sohope I am not doing any mechanical damage to the car.

I asked them about the software upgrade but they said unfortunately there isn't one. It needs to be replaced.

Has anyone gotten a software upgrade for this particular model?

 

Here in Fairfax,Virginia, the TCM costs $490 and about $80 to replace it.
I had mine replaced about a month ago to pass emissions inspection.
2001 S40, 61,000 miles.

 

I just went through the biannual inspection and the car passed the inspection at the dealer "with flying colors".

Then, about a month later, I went back to have a remote entry fob programmed and the get the 52,500 service. Supposedly this service includes pulling any diagnostic codes from the computer, which according to them it did not.

My car has an extended warranty, however, everyone keeps telling me there's nothing wrong with the car. Most of the time, it doesn't do it. Sometimes though, after a hot start, it will race shifting from 2 to 3 and make a minor bump going from 3 to 2.

This is under light throttle only.

 

Can anyone kindly tell me where this TCM is located in the car?