Volvo Transmission Lights

[sidmon]

I have got a problem with my '97 V90 Transmission. Since the cold weather has been upon us when I've been reversing off my drive...as soon as I change into Drive the transmission arrow light flashes(indicating a fault). When I try and reset it by removing then fuse from the engine bay it takes about 5 goes to finally get the light to go out. I thought I had cured this problem by placing it in Winter mode before I reverse and then when I get it into drive and on the move I can go back to being in nroaml economy mode. This worked great until the other morning when even in winter mode the transmission lights started to flash once I'd stuck it in drive. What could be causing this (other than the PnP switch) and if this is the problem how much will I have toi pay for one and will the replacement involve removing the exhaust....I've read somewhere it will and I dont fancy it to be honest!

[Peter Milnes]

This is likely to be a wiring or switch fault. The most common fault being with the W-S-E switch or the wiring to this switch or the
P-N-P switch and associated wiring. The P-N-P switch is reached from underneath the car and is usually smothered in road dirt and/or oil/grease and such. This tends to make the connections unreliable. The W-S-E switch is on top of the gear lever console.

Check all the connections around the gearbox and both switches for problems. Keep me in touch with progress and good hunting.

All the best, Peter.

Hi it would be worth first checking that the gearbox oil is at the correct level to check this drive the car for about 5 miles then come to rest with the engine still running,wait for 2 minutes then clean/check the oil level,the dip stick is very low down on the passenger side of the gear box, if the level is fine i would put money on it being the starter inhibiter switch on the side of the gear box,if you need any help please get in touch.

Russ
www.rtmechanics.co.uk

[sidmon]

Will be having a look again tomorrow....what transmission fluid should I be sticking in her? I had the gearbox serviced a year ago with full synth...not sure what kind it takes tho?

[sidmon]

I checked the fluid today after popping toi town and back. It is low (about an inch lower than the minimum on thne hot side of the dipstick)......will this cause damage to my gearbox long term? And what type and how will I refill her? The filling point is so low down it will be impossible not to spill it everywhere first!

[sidmon]

The loss of fluid must be down to what the guy who serviced it 6 months ago said. He said that the oil that was in there was very thick and due to this the new fluid may cause the seals to leak it out. What can I do to prevent this in the future apart from the obvious of having the complete pan dropped and gasket changed. I've seen the stop leak type things available for autoboxes and wondered if anyone had used these and what particular brand they used.

[Peter Milnes]

The gearbox should be filled with fully synthetic ATF. Volvo do not make any recomendations as to refill mileage but I have always advocated doing a flush refill every 100,000 miles to be on the safe side. Do not use any stop leak types of fluid as they will damage the AW box. Basically check for signs of leakage and attempt to put a stop to it.

All the best, Peter.

[sidmon]

I had a flush and synthetic oil change 6 months ago...but the old stuff was very old and thick and the transmission specialist did say that the new oil could leak out of the old seals...but to keep an eye on it...I dont think I;ve got a major leak as it has taken this long to get low but its still something I'd like sorted.

Hi i would only use the genuine volvo for your V90 the best way to check the level properly is to drive the car for 5-10 miles then check the oil after 2 mins with the car still running then if needed add 1/4 of a litre at a time and run it through the gears with your foot on the brake then recheck.

russ