Hi all i just purchased a 2005 Volvo S40 T5 from an auction but upon driving the vehicle I noticed that the clutch is riding.
There is also a msg on the dash display showing gearbox service required.
I am hoping the gearbox service and the riding clutch is related.
How does one service the gearbox, is it just an oil change.
Please help as this is my first Volvo and i dont want to change stuff thats not going to fix the problem

 

Can I ask what is a "riding clutch"? In the US the term "riding the clutch" refers to resting your left foot on the clutch pedal which puts pressure on the throw out bearing on a manual clutch (non-hydraulic) which will very quickly wear it out. You are speaking of the clutch itself though?

 

Hi sorry, it feels like it is riding the clutch because from stand still take off when you accelerate the car is very lazy and takes time to gain momentum, uphill take off is even worse and I have to engage manual mode. Gear changes in manual mode is also very violent.

 

Is this a manual transmission or an automatic transmission? It really sounds like an automatic trans with the warning message you describe. If an auto trans it could be in "limp home mode" due to the trans warning message. The Electronic Throttle Control will not let you put much torque on the trans in this mode.

If this is a manual trans is the clutch slipping? Can you smell the clutch burning? (You cannot miss this smell as it's very pungent, very acrid)

 

Hi, its the autobox with manual mode, geartronic box.
Currently having the box serviced by flushing out the old oil and replacing with new ATF and then running a diagnostics on it to clear errors etc.
Will this also cause the harsh gear changes or is that mounting related as it gives a loud thud noise when changing in manual mode.

 

It sounds like you are going in the same direction I would. Service the fluid and reset the codes to start fresh then see how it acts. I never really use the manual mode on my 2005 but it does not make any noise. It will shift firm. I did once have a banging from up front during acceleration that turned out to be the main motor mount on the pax side. The rubber had split in two and slowly got louder as the rubber wore away until it was metal on metal thumping.

 

Cool thanks for all the advice so far, will let you know how it goes once done with the gearbox service and code reset.

 

update, gearbox oil flush done and errors cleared but still no luck.
Gearbox service error still shows on dash.
Oil was flushed 6 times and then topped up with full synthetic oil, i also had the front shocks, shock mounts and engine mount changed.
The gear changes are not harsh anymore but it still feels like the car is riding clutch, also in manual mode the car only selects no.2 and no.4 gear.
Please advise

 

If you don't mind spending some more, see a Volvo garage (not necessarily the dealer) that has a Vida device, and have the transmission reset for both adaptive mode and new fluid. Also, these transmissions are sensitive to fluid type and fluid level. If your is a 5 speed gearbox, make sure they put 3309 oil. Overfilling by some 200ml sometimes helps.

Sometimes it helps replacing the three main solenoids.

 

Cool thanks, will check the local garages to see who has the Vida device.
Where exactly are these solenoids located, are they inside the gearbox or can they be changed without removing the gearbox.

 

outside, 2-3h job

solenoids for s60

 

Took the car home last night and this morning after starting it I noticed that the transmission service error had gone away and I could now get no.1 and 3 in the geartronic mode and the changes where smooth as ever.
That joy was short lived though because about 1km later the error occurred again and no.1 and 3 no longer existed and the changes became more noticeable.

 

Again this morning there was no errors but within a few minutes of pleasure driving it returns, definitely sending g/box into limp mode.
I managed to do a scan with a cheap OBDII reader and show P0700 error code but as soon as you clear the error it returns.
I am still waiting on Volvo here to get back to me with regards to having them scan the vehicle as well or am i wasting my time doing a scan by them as well.