I was drive on the freeway to work yesterday and all of sudden my S40 rpms went up like it was in neutral and would grab just a little bit but then go back out like in neutral so came on here to see if you guys have any idea what it is besides the worse (bad transmission) thanks in advance y'all....

 

The first thing would be to check the fluid level (and condition)

If it's low you have a leak. If it's full I would scan the car (including the TCM) to see if there are any clues there.

What year and mileage on your car? Has the fluid ever been changed or flushed?

 

What is the mileage on the car, and what (if anything) has been done to the transmission?

Generally, the best thing you can do with nearly any tranny misbehavior is to do a fluid drain-and-fill. Easier than an oil change - just make sure to get the right fluid. I have also had good luck with LubeGard Platinum additive (though I have nothing to do with the producer and generally don't like "snake oil"). I'd suggest adding 12 ounces with the drain-and-fill. FWIW, when you drain the tranny, you should get 4 quarts out (which means you should put 4 quarts back in). If you get less than that, look for a leak. Unfortunately the geniuses at Volvo made the transmission dipstick nearly impossible to get to for a proper reading (just after shutdown, with the car level).

 

Sorry not trying to be disagreeable - but the trans fluid level is checked with the engine running. Most times I have done a drain and fill on a aw50/51 I have drained closer to 3.5 quarts, and always measure what's there and then what I take out to avoid overfilling.

 

I think I might have found the issue I opened the hood and looked around and found that the passenger side CV shaft is is unhinged I guess not really sure the right term is but looks like two metal Prints that came out of place and the CV shaft is just dangling but still intact so what you guys think?

 

Oops - I'm sure you're right. I was conflating the Volvo method with the Acura method. I got the four quarts advice from a (long gone?) pro mech poster. I'm guessing that the difference is negligible, but putting in what came out (assuming you started with the right fluid level) is always a good idea.

 

Not quite following that description, but yeah, if there isn't a solid connection from the transmission (differential) to the wheel, your car is going to lose the ability to move. ;-) If the problem is that the shaft slipped out of the transmission, check to see if it's got a C-clip on the groove near the end of the shaft (that's what will tend to keep it in place). If the problem is that the shaft is otherwise damaged, it's time for a new one (avoid the no-name Chinese shafts though - they tend to be really, really bad).

 

I guess not really sure the right term is but looks like two metal Prints that came out of place and the CV shaft is just dangling but still intact so what you guys think?