Have an '01 s40 with ~170M. For the last year or so, my transmission seems to have rough switches between gears, but depends on how quick I drive. If I accelerate harder, it switches smoother.

I had the ATF fluid flushed 6 months ago, but didn't really solve anything.

I was under there yesterday and noticed a lot of sludge around the gearbox (i think it's the gearbox), but don't seem to have any noticable leaks on the ground. I've attached a picture.

Any ideas other than probably the obvious - my transmission is going?

 

Has the transmission ever had any software upgrades?

On the leak it is very hard to tell from the pics.

 

No software upgrade to my knowledge. Would an upgrade be a positive thing?

Figured the pic would be useless as the oil is everywhere.

 

It might help and it might not.