I have a 2004 Volvo S60 2.4t 95k miles (at least it says 2.4t on the back of the car, a local mechanic (friend of the family)told me it's not 2.4t???)

We live in the Phoenix, AZ area and my husband has been driving the Volvo to work downtown in stop and go traffic in temperatures of 100+ most days. He said it was shifting late a few times then one day, after stopping at a red light, he tried to accelerate and it would not shift into 1st gear. If it got into 1st gear, it would not shift into 2nd gear.

We had it towed to a local shop who has worked on a few Volvo's and he said there was metal in something(can't remember where he said it was, forgive me, I'm not a mechanic) that indicated that it needed a part replaced (valve body?) or a transmission rebuild. He quoted around $1800. for the part to be replaced with no guarantee and $4500 for a tranny rebuild with a guarantee.

Well, I don't want to get it fixed with no guarantee. And our "friend of the family" mechanic keeps coming up with different idea of what it might be. He said try a tranny flush. Then he said it may be the solenoid?

The valve body replacement was my idea after reading this board and the mechanic shop just confirmed it. I just think it's strange how I'm not a mechanic and I told him what the problem was. Why didn't he think of the flush or solenoid like the other guy.

This has lead me to want to get another opinion and some advice on this board. What does the problem sound like to you? We have not had any other major work done and have only had oil changes and changed the battery, replaced brakes, pads and tires and light bulbs up until now. Should we get a tranny flush or try some additive?

Any advice is appreciated as we are not mechanics and don't want to pay for an expensive repair that won't fix the problem.