Hey guys, hate to act like a forum noob who doesn't know how to use the search button, but I'm pressed for time, and the car in question isn't mine (slightly lower motivation et cetera et ectera). Alright, so my mother bought a used 2001 S60 T5 in March, and basically it turns out the transmission is trashed (thanks to a rather deceitful dealership and a not quite adequate amount of research on my end). Car has 123k miles on it, flushed the trans a few times, and then the dealership decided to drain the fluid completely rather than flush it and its been getting worse ever since. I don't drive it much, but my understanding is it doesn't want to shift *at all* (though I drove it christmas even, and other than a hell of a clunk and hesitation going from reverse to drive, it seemed to be shifting wonderfully). So I just need help, does it need a complete rebuild, a valve body rebuild, or would it be easier to just buy another trans? If so, what trans do I need (AW55-50?), and more importantly, can I use one from a newer car? Would prefer to not stick another 01 trans in it. Thanks guys, I'll see if I can drive it and report back.

 

I don't know how you guys feel about double posts, but I thought I would share an update. I took the car for a drive, and for the most part it seemed to be shifting pretty much alright. They weren't happy shifts, but I would have been willing to drive it cross country (the shift coming out of turns were what was really clunky). Unfortunately, the transmission fluid is 100% brown, with no hint of any other color. It was completely drained in September. I had her order 12 quarts of Mobil 3309 and a Magnefine filter to splice in to see if it can't be saved. I would assume the people who did the work used the incorrect fluid and trashed it, but we're going to give this a try first. Debating ordering the servo cover update as well (Automatic Transmission B4 Servo Cover Update AW55-50/51). I was also incorrect about the mileage, it has 126.5k on it. Thanks for any and all responses.

PS, the mechanic my dad trusts said the only transmission option he could find had 156k miles on it for 1500. Sounds like a pass to me.

 

I havent been in this situation but did recently do a flush myself. I would say to at least wait until you know for sure that you need a new tranny before buying an even older one. When my car shifts they are not always perfect even after the flush. be sure that your tranny fluid is at the right level. Drive it for 15 min then make sure that it is at the "hot" level on the yellow dipstick. Under or overfilling is known to cause serious problems. It looks like you have already looked into the servo cover and software update which could also be part of the problem if they are not up to date. I would just hate to see you get rid of a transmission that still had life left to it.

 

Just thought I would give an update, I did the flush myself on the 31st of December, and what came out I can only describe as raunchy. 12 quarts of new, and a spliced in filter. Shifted much better, but 16 days later the fluid is already a dark purple and the shifts are getting odd again, so time for another flush. Think I might order 24 quarts this time, and 2 filters and change the old filter out at 500 miles. Thoughts?


Also, think I'm going to cut open the current filter, guys want me to post pictures of it?

 

sound like u would most likely need a rebuild tranny in the near future. Have u check if the tcm sw updated yet?

 

Yes, we've gotten the software update. And actually the I think it might be ok for awhile once I get it flushed again.

 

That car just has bad luck: