Geartronic Issues
 

Hi,

I have a 2013 V70 D5 with 80k miles. I have a problem that I've not experienced before.

I knocked the selector into sport and planted the throttle, the car kicked down to second gear I believe and then changed up through every gear in about two seconds. I was approaching a motorway slip road when it did this (in 6th going about 40 Mph), obviously not what I wanted it to do. I knocked it back into Drive and it couldn't quite decide what it wanted to do. Fortunately the car is quite pokey so managed to get up to speed before merging.

I am just wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem before.

It had several gearbox flushes months ago and also the latest TCM update.

Its can sometimes be quite clunky particularly when accelerating off a roundabout on applying the throttle initially. In Sport its worse going through the gears. I've had all the torque mounts changed.

The car also sounds a bit unrefined going down hill off throttle, I'm not sure if that's normal or if the front wheel bearings are needing changing and maybe the abs ring thing are also worn. I've read that they can affect the gearbox whether that's true or not I don't know.

A common problem it has is that it will lunge forward like when you accidentally stall. It will do this sitting at the lights for example, handbrake on, and letting go of the brake. I've learnt to slowly come off the brake because of this problem but sometimes it still lunges anyway.

Normally, I'd advise transmission servicing and software updates. You've already had that done.

You aren't too far away from Horton cars based on your profile location. Roughly an hour and a half away maybe (that's just a search on Google maps, but how accurate that is I don't know). Its a bit of a trip I know, but these guys really know their stuff.

It may be worth giving them a call to see what they say. Describe the symptoms to them and take it from there.

There's lots of things that can cause a transmission issue, which aren't an integral part of the transmission. You're right about ABS rings, that can affect it or even loose bolts on a driveshaft.

Horton Cars
Unit 1 & 2, Thame Road Oakley, Bucks, HP18 9QQ
Tel: 01844 239308

Have a read of these articles on Horton's website.

https://hortoncars.com/volvo-news/vo...and-solutions/

https://hortoncars.com/latest-news/v...arbox-repairs/

Thanks for the reply. When I got the car nearly two years ago I was having problems (harsh engagement when selecting D or R - now resolved), and stumbled across Horton Cars and their blog.

Have you used them and what problems did you have at the time?

I haven't used them personally. There's plenty of people on here who have and speak highly of them, hence the recommendation. Horton's certainly know their stuff. Its where I'd try if I were you.

With regards to the "unrefinement" you experience when you slow down. I assume by this you mean what I describe as a groan when you let off the accelerator to slow down, letting the transmission do the work through the gears? If so, that's normal. My car does it, so does my Dad's V70. Its a weird sound, but its normal. If you had wheel bearing problems, you'd hear it. A bad wheel bearing sounds like someone is thumping the tyre.

When you had the transmission serviced in the past, I don't suppose you know what fluid was used? It might be mentioned on the Invoice possibly?Your car takes AW-1 transmission fluid, also known as JWS3324 (older models took JWS3309). You can't put JWS3309 in a transmission that takes AW-1/JWS3324.

Assuming a garage did it, they could have put the wrong fluid in. That can lead to all sorts of issues. These transmissions are extremely particular when it comes to fluid.

Jws3309 the first set of flushes as per the handbook. Second time jws3324 as per the internet. The thud into Drive and Reverse was what made me change the oil. Its had a lot of flushes. I am contemplating doing one more drain and fill as its been a few thousand miles since then and can't hurt it.

Sadly, the handbook is out of date. Volvo changed the spec to JWS3324. Dealerships and specialists know this (or they should). The ordinary person that reads the handbook to get info, which is where things like this would normally be listed, won't be aware of that. Lucky you found the info on the internet and changed the fluid to the proper spec.

I suspect the flushes with JWS3309 wouldn't have helped. Better than nothing though, but still, its not the right fluid and these transmissions are really particular about what goes into them.

A few more drain and fills with the proper spec JWS3324 fluid may do the trick, but its expensive stuff. Reset the adaptions too and reset the fluid counter. You need VIDA for that.

If the drain and fills with the proper fluid don't make a difference and TCM software is up-to-date, then its pointing towards a valve body problem. You'd need professional diagnosis though.