Hey All,

Bought a used 2000 V70 last may ('07), original owner was meticulous with maintenance as well as documentation. I know this car was treated very nicely. I also stay on top of my maintenance, so the car definitely has not been neglected. Currently has 155K miles on the odometer.

Just yesterday morning a blinking arrow came on my dash, the same arrow that indicates you'rein winter (or weather) driving mode. I checked my owners manual and it said bring to dealer immediately.

In the interim, I did some searching around here on the forum and found that this could be any one of several things, such asa bad PNP or ABS module, but it definitely means the tranny is throwing a gearbox fault code.

I took it to the dealer this morning and they told me I need a new transmission ($4,300!!!).

I just wonder, with the car companies doing poorly and all, if I'm being taken for a ride. The car has no noticeable change in performance, no slipping, no hard shifting, nothing. Should I get it back and try to replace the PNP and ABS first, as well as tranny flush? If the transmission is already shot, could I do any more damage by continuing to drive it?

I'm on the fence right now, I love the car, but it's non-turbo, so slightly underpowered. Also, it's a 2000, so no Chilton/Haynes manual, parts are expensive, etc. I really like the car, but if it needs a new tranny, I might be off-loading it. Someone please tell me it'll be alright.

Thanks for all the help.

-AgSurfer

 

Did they print the codes on the receipt?
If so what are they?

This way we might be able to help a little more.

 

I checked the papers from the dealer last night - no codes!!!
Makes me wonder if they did anything at all. The only thing I had was an "inspection report" that gave the condition of all the fluids as "Good / May need attention / Needs immediate attention". Of course, next to transmission fluid, it said "Needs immediate attention". The only other thing was a statement by the mechanic saying "Error code detected in gearbox. Needs new transmission."

In my searches around the forums, I noticed a couple other symptoms that may or may not be related to my current transmission situation.

1) I get the intermittent "maple syrup" smell. Not always, not better or worse with heat or A/C. Just every now and then I'll get a quick sniff of it, usually when I first pull out of the driveway. After that, it's gone.

2) My engine temp. seems like it's been running unusually cool lately (last month or so). It is starting to get colder here (NY) but the temp gauge nevergets to where it used to (around half way).And if I just let it sit and idle for a while, the temp will get up almost to 1/2, but as soon as I get on the road and get some air moving over the radiator, it drops down almost to the point where it would be if it were cold and I just started it.

I'm planning on doing a transmission flush this weekend or over Thanksgiving weekend in a similar fashion tothis:
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...pic.php?t=8767
http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5668

I'll see where that takes me, hopefully the car will continue to run fine. If I'm told I need a new transmission, I figure I might as well drive this one to failure (I have AAA, free tow).

As always, all input it greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.

-AgSurfer

 

1. The heater core might be weaping causing the smell.

2. You might have a thermostat going bad.

 

I have a new thermostat to put in, ordered from FCPGroton 2 weeks ago, which I was planning on doing before the whole transmission issue came up.

Same for the heater core, so my guesses were right on those two issues.

But that still doesn't explain why the transmission would throw a fault code though, does it?

I'm planning on doing the transmission flush, thermostat and hopefully heater core (is it's not too involved - removing the dash?) who knows where that'll get me.

As I said before, if it weren't for the flashing arrow, I wouldn't think anything was wrong. So if doing those three things makes the arrow go away, then that's good enough for me. I don't really care what the dealership thinks I need as they're usually in it to make the most money they can, which would be putting a new transmission in, not doing those 3 small repairs.

I'll post all further progress / developments. Thanks Tech.

 

That will have no affect on the arrow flashing.

The heater core can also be done with out pulling the dash.

If you can find someone to read the tranny codes and get them to use then we can help a little more on the issue.

 

Ok. I'll get in touch with the dealer and see if they can give me the codes. If not, then I'll have to assume they didn't actually do anything other than nail me for the $115 diagnostic charges.

If I could get my hands on an ODBII scanner, do you think I could get the codes myself or do I need a Volvo specific scanner?

Thanks again for the help.

 

You would have to make sure the scanner will read the Volvo tranny codes. Most of the generic ones won't.

 

Just got off the phone with a rep. at the dealer. He stammered his way through explaining that they don't usually give the customer a copy of the scanner report, but to call back in an hour and he'll see what he can find. Sounds like a load of BS to me.... To be continued.

 

When I was at the Dealer we HAD to list all codes and what we did to try to fix it.

Shows how much has changed up 5 years.

 

I took my old car to a local shop that does that. For some reason, this particular Volvo dealer doesn't attach the report, you have to request it.

Just got off the phone with the dealer, they have the report there and said I can come get it, so I'm going to pickup the report after work, I'll try to post the results this evening.As always, thanks for the help.

 

Some rather interesting developments...
I went to the dealer yesterday to pick up the report from the scan and this is what it looked like:

Code: TCM-002E Lock-up. Transmission Judder in Lock-up

Substitute Value - Slipping lock-up shuts off temporarily

Possible Source - Poor Quality transmission fluid
- Glycol in the transmission fluid
- Worn torque converter
- Mechanical fault in the transmission

Fault Symptoms - Cooling fluid consumption; high
- Vibrations
- Rough gear shift

As I've said before, I haven't experienced any of those symptoms, so the code just doesn't make sense. Even more interesting, when I got in my car to leave the dealer, the light went off. The flashing arrow had stopped. And not because the bulb was out, I know it still works because I see it when I go to start the car (all gauges come on). I was under the impression that once this light comes on, it stays on until something is done to fix it, unlike a service light that comes on as a reminder, but then shuts off, then comes back on...

 

I have all of the maintenance records from the original owner, so I plan on looking through to see if there has been any transmission fluid flushes done on the car. If not, I think I'll flush the fluid (155k miles!).

I also plan on putting in the new thermostat and heat core to address thecooler temp the cars been running at and the maple syrup smell. Any good suggestions on where to get some instructions for that stuff (no chilton or haynes for 2000 V70, I heard some people use All Data?).

Also, any suggestions on a good but cheap Volvo compatible OBD-II scanner. I'd like to start doing more of the work myself as I don't feel I've gotten the proper care from local shops and dealers. Like they say, if you want it done right, do it yourself.

So that's the current state, I'll make sure to post any further developments. As always, thanks for the help and all suggestions/thoughts/opinions are greatly appreciated.

-AgSurfer

 

I would flush the fluid and see what happens from there.

Also try to find a program on e-bay called Vadis. That will give you any info you need on the car.

 

Alright, will do. Thanks for the help. I'll post the results.

 

Hello Silversurfer, If your effortsfall short,take the time to strike up a relationship with a local (or far away)independant mechanic who works on Volvos. Since you're willing to replace a heater core etc.,you'd have no trouble communicating with an "indie". It seems your dealer is stonewalling you. Also, a trans which shiftswell doesn't sound like it needs replacement.

 

8 Months later, transmission is still going strong. Light hasn't come back on, no major performance issues, just an occasional hard shift from P to D in the mornings. Other than that, seems to be alright. Now that the weather is nice, I'm planning on flushing the tranny just to be safe, I'll post results on how that effects performance.