My 2002 S60 with 120K miles has a not so great transmission, it is fine on the highway, but once warmed up it does not do well in stop and go driving it is very "jerky" an over-revs between 1st and 2nd gear. The other day it was worse than usual and then all of a sudden I noticed the digital display on the dashboard that has the letter of the drive "P", "R", "N", "D", etc was not showing up and my message light came on saying "transmission service required". But after an hour or so of driving home (hoping I would make it home) it went off.
Today when I drove home it stalled out when I pulled into the driveway, started up right away again, but weird.

Any ideas?

I am really thinking I have a "dud" of a car, with 120k miles the car seems to be having one problem after another, I have never had a car like this. I love my Volvo but am thinking it is time to abandon ship as I am starting to not to trust it.

Thanks.

 

I would check the transmission fluid for proper level and condition. The level should be checked warm and with engine idling, so be sure the gear selector is in park and parking brake set. The fluid should show between low and high on the dipstick and should have a red color.

The dipstick is a tad hard to find as it is under a large rubber hose to your right when standing in front of the car. There is a youtube video that shows where it's at.

I have a 2002 s60 AWD w/geartronic (130,00 miles) and flushed and filled the transmission using the I.P.D. transmission flush kit. The transmission was acting much like yours before replacing the fluid and after 100+ miles it has improved significantly.
Hope this helps

 

What is a " I.P.D. transmission flush kit "
and where do you get one?

 

Automatic Transmission Flush Hose Kit


ipd can help you out on many parts and upgrades

 

Do the flush idid that on my old S60 and it improve for a better ride..

 

Along with the fluid flush 12 qts. Three is a B4 servo cover(B4 Servo Cover Update) that should be replaced on all 01-02 s60 . This is something that you can do yourslf also make sure that you have the latest software from the dealer. This may also help. But for sure fluid, B4 servo and software. all these thing may help and cost much less than the $4000 a dealer wants for a new trany.. The fluid must be Mobil 3309-Volvo JWS 3309 or Toyota T-IV . They are all the same fluid..

GL

 

Thanks all for the replies.

I ordered the Mobil 3309 fluid and flush kit from IPD and was planning on doing the flush tomorrow, but I cannot figure out where the drain plug is and where to add the new fluid? I know my car pretty well but have not done any ATF work yet, anyone have any helpful diagrams?

Thanks,

Mark.

 

Swedespeed Forums - Automatic Transmission FLush Procedures For My 2003 S60 & 2003 XC70

Transmission flushing at home: Really easy, really effective - Volvo XC Forums


Checking Transmission Fluid - Volvo S60 - YouTube
.


GL

 

I spent another 10 minutes this morning looking around and figured out where the dipstick was (it was dirty, not yellow and not easily visible) then located the drain plug, my mistake was I thought it was on the tranny not attached to the radiator.

Anyway, once I discovered everything, did the flush, took about an hour. The fluid was very dark for a while, I was a bit worried as it did not change color but on the 9th quart all of a sudden it went from almost dark to bright red. We'll see in a couple of days if it will make any difference, will report back.

Overall was a simple job, just a bit messy, impossible not to spill some but luckily not as messy as oil, suggest to have kitty litter handy to soak up an spills in the driveway.

The IPD kit worked but not sure why they charge $25 for a plastic hose seems a bit much.

Mark.