When I'm at speeds around 20-30 mph, my RPM's jump really high and my transmission doesn't shift smoothly. I get kind of a "thud" sound as the car shifts. I had Powell Volvo in Scottsdale, AZ upload new software to the computer to assist in the shifting of the transmission. It still doesn't work. The Volvo mechanic states nothing is wrong with the transmission, but something definetly isn't right?? It's an 01 S60 T5 with $105K miles.

 

From what I've gathered, this is a common issue for these cars. Mine does the same thing, albeit only from a cold start. Try a transmission fluid drain and fill first. Then the B4 Servo update. If those don't help, try a new transmission mount. I've done the first two and still experience this issue - the trans mount is next on my list and is in on it's way to my doorstep.

 

hi quite new on here but have good general knowledge,ive got exactly the same car and when i had it i had the same problem minus the thud.mines a geartronic but the problem occured in both drives.lets say i was to put my foot down hard 1st or 2nd after a few thousand revs it would rev like the clutch was engaged?had a look around on a few forums and one said wrong auto fluid.i took my dipstick out and it was burnt brown colour and stunk real bad.from what ive gathered before i had the car it was took to some cowboy garage and they filled the box with standard stuff.so where i live theres a volvo specialist(none volvo corp)and he had a quick look at the dipstick and confirmed what i thought cheap fluid.so he done a drain and refill,but its not straight forward as it needs to be done correct,not like old cars, DRAIN AND REFILL.he had a machine that sucked the old crap out and at the same time pumped new in,if i remember right the box holds 7litres and it takes 12litres to flush it properly.once this is done it needs to be hooked up to a volvo computer and have the box re-programmed.if you dont do this it tells the car that the old oil is still in there and adjusts the change,thus causing the problem.well thats what happened with mine and now its fine,in total the oil cost £100gbp and the labour £80.00.
hope this helps

 

My 2001 model had the same problem and I took it to the transmission shop. He told me the valve body on these models go bad but the transmission itself is a good transmission. He replace the valve body ( at least that's what he told me he did) on that and that took care of it. There's still a little delay when I put it in rear gear, but who cares how often do you do that.

 

this is a common fault in most of the autoboxes it is normally down to the solonoids inside the electric unit they start to stick they cost 157+vat each and have 5 i one gear box and you cannot tell which one is knackered so new gearbox am afraid,

 

Got the new mount installed today and the difference is night and day. It shifts so smooth now. No more jerks when I press on or let off the accelerator. Well, no more jerks period. It shifts like a new car! I got my old mount back and the amount of slack in the bushings is astounding. No wonder my car shifted so terribly.

 

Thanks for all of your responses. I plan on installing a new valve body this week. For those of you that have done that, what have your mechanics told you the expected life line of your car is after that pending everything else is in good shape. I hate to drop $2500 and then still have to purchase a new car in a year.