T C M Reload

[v70torslanda]

I have ranted en passim at length recently about Volvo's inability to fix their auto boxes, a problem of their own making due to inadequate oil capacity and a totally deficient/non-existant maintenance schedule.

What? Oh, really. You'd already noticed?

Having scoured the market and found no one I felt able to trust, plus having been quoted between 1100 quid and three-and-a-half-GRAND to fix/overhaul the gearbox, me and a matey decided to flush the gearbox and replace the fluid. 8 litres of ATF-U later and the box was shifting better but still with a massive 'flare' between 2nd & 3rd, a big jolt when it finally dropped in, the most horrible downshift when braking to a halt and a great clunk when selecting reverse.

At this stage I wanted out of the car, nothing whatsoever to do with Volvo ever again and was about to sling it in somewhere like CarCr*p for a Passat estate or summat and ££££load more debt. Saner heads prevailed [Big Shoutout 'THANKS' to Robbie and Dave] and I started to do some more research, trawl the net and mither the arse off people.

The symptoms pointed to valving as the problem as there was no slippage. (The clue being the big jolt when 3rd gear finally engaged) so the search began for a valve body, ovloV being a non-starter at over 1400 quid! Sussex Autos looked more than reasonable at around 375 ex VAT but my Jewish blood was searching for an even cheaper solution! Three months after the flush the fluid in the box was still clean so that seemed to be an indicator that the bands and clutches were ok.

As I was about to plonk down the plastic for a valve body my natural caution (meanness) kicked in and I decided that if I had to take a risk with this job - and nobody was giving a definitive diagnosis - then I wasn't risking the thick end of half a bag plus a day's labour! If you opt for a valve body change the TCM software must be reloaded so I rang a Volvo specialist locally, told them I was having the valve body changed and fresh fluid and would they kindly quote for a TCM reload, software, etc.

75 notes and an hour later I have a gearbox that shifts under load, doesn't clunk, doesn't flare and behaves pretty much as it should.

For now, I'm declaring - RESULT!

I'M OFF FOR A

[v70torslanda]

BTW

I'm still NOT happy with Volvo - you should've heard the phone call I got the other night when they asked me, now that I'd finished paying for the damn thing, if I was interested in chopping it in. No, thanks! Not at your labour prices!

And I'm still not going to buy another . . .

[LiamT4]

Not surprised mate, having those sort of issues and cost would put alot of people off.
What year and model is it?

[v70torslanda]

V70 D5SE '03. AW55-50SN box, not that it matters. Auto & geartronic are the same box with different wiring looms.

[cornclose]

So how much was the valve body then and what p/n is it ?

[v70torslanda]

So how much was the valve body then and what p/n is it ?

That's the whole point. I didn't change the valve body!

I just told them I'd changed it. Makes no difference anyway. The garage don't have to offer any kind of warranty, they just blanked the 'box memory and reloaded the shift map.

That's why I'm calling result. As the orthodontist said. 'NOTHING DENTURED . . .'

Sussex Autos Aisin Warner Transmissions

[wegal]

software relaods on the gearbox are where i always start, had 4 so far... and the car is only 5 years old ! 3 done by volvo, 2 i paid for.

wish id known you where having probs, i would have said get that done first.

[v70torslanda]

Three days on from the software and it had its first 'proper' test in rush hour traffic.

No missed shifts and all symptoms gone.

I'm still expecting to be disappointed . . .

[dave stew]

These slushers are reet complicated...

[v70torslanda]

These slushers are reet complicated...

Excuse me, sir. You don't know the half of it.

Just try googling 'AW55-50SN' and have a gander at some of the USAnian articles that have been written about this over-complex piece of space junk.

Just understanding how it works was beginning to make my head spin but it seems the longer you research something eventually you will come across the solution.

[dave stew]

I too Googled about the VAG 2.0 tdi unit which eats injectors and ingests it's own oil pump.

[v70torslanda]

The ultimate grenade . . .

VW Passat 2.0 TDi 170 DSG.

[Liddo]

Soooooo, which car has the best Auto Box???

Due to an ongoing knackered left knee, Im looking at getting an ato, but i want a reliable one

[v70torslanda]

Something with a ZF or Borg Warner transmission and preferably RWD.

BMW or Merc. Plus they use LOADS of fluid so it lasts longer

[Jaseb77]

Mines is the assin-warner 6speed box on the S80, and its, "well a bit ££££"

Very smooth, but very lazy, you have to use the geartronic, for proper accelleration. Longevity - my finger and toes remain crossed always

[v70torslanda]

Longevity? Unless you do annual oil changes IMHO you're playing Russian Roulette with 5 full chambers!

[dave stew]

Something with a ZF or Borg Warner transmission and preferably RWD.

BMW or Merc. Plus they use LOADS of fluid so it lasts longer

I presume an in-line Audi A6 would use such a ZF too?

[v70torslanda]

Yes but in-line Audis are disappearing. A4 are definitely transverse and I wouldn't be surprised if 4F model A6s have gone the same way.