V50 G/box : Powershift problem

[eurocrat]

Originally Posted by chairV50

My 2008 V50 2.0D Powershift gave a message something like "Transmission Performance Low" and then started changing up at much higher revs. I'd only done about 3 miles all in 30mph zones.

Stopped it and called Volvo Assistance out, who found an error code about "stuck selector", but no other problems & couldn't find the gearbox dipstick. He followed me to Volvo dealer** (10 miles) and fault had vanished and didn't reappear.

Anyone got any clues about what might have happened?

** Main dealer did 50,000 mile service a week ago (at 4 years / 29,500 miles) and changed the gearbox oil (but sourced it on the day) Hope this didn't contribute to the problem

Very interested to hear of your problem chairV50. I have a V50 2.0D Powershift too - from April 2009 (probably essentially the same) bought in Belgium where I live. Just had the 80,000 km (~50,000 mile) dealer service which involved full engine, transmission and gearbox oil changes. VERY expensive at €850.

Next day got the "transmission performance low" message 3 times on startup; but disappeared immediately once moving. Today - 8 days later - got the message while gently driving down the main street of our village, engine not fully warm. About 30 secs later, a slight click and the the car disengaged all gears and started coasting (engine was running, selector in "D"). Pulled over, engine off, waited a couple of minutes, started up, engaged "D" everything seemed fine. Headed for home. 2 minutes later, same thing happened! Repeated the procedure and crept home which was only 1 km away. Car in garage now and will call the dealer first thing tomorrow.

Imagine if that happens while overtaking!

How did you resolve your problem back in July 2012?

[chairV50]

Hello Eurocrat,
Sorry to hear about your problem which sounds much worse than mine was.

I drove the 10 miles or so, with no more messages or different behaviour**, to the garage that had done the recent 50K miles service. (**Just after the warning message I noticed the change-up speeds were different and that was what encouraged me to stop and get it looked at.)

The garage looked at it the next day and said there was an air-lock in the gearbox, so they drained the oil out, cleared the air-lock and put the oil back in. And that seemed to fix it as the problem hasn't happened again.

I suspect (but have no evidence) that my garage rushed the gearbox oil change during the original service and got it wrong. They had to source the gearbox oil on the day of the service (they didn't realise it was a Powershift despite selling me the car), which may have contributed to them rushing it.
One of the responses to my original post says it is a complicated job.

Hope this helps with your problem.
I recommend you get the garage that did your expensive service to come and fetch it and re-do the gearbox service. And once they've fixed it, get them to confirm (preferably in writing) that the problem hasn't done any lasting damage - well it's worth a try at least.

And - it might be worth checking on Ford forums for similar problems - I believe the gearbox is a Ford design from when Volvo were owned by Ford.

[eurocrat]

Just an update on the Powershift "Transmission Performance Low" issue.

Had the vehicle towed to a main Volvo dealer (not the original seller operation, because they were overloaded - and might have a conflict of interest as well since they had just performed the 50kmile/80kkm service!)

Outcome was MUCH worse than expected. The dealer genuinely tried their best to solve the problem ... first doing a software upgrade to the box, then having Göteborg analyse the disgnostics, then replacing a minor hydraulic valve component. Anyway nothing worked.

Volvo were unable to even diagnose what the problem (if any) actually was.

The only solution was ... to fit a whole new gearbox! We needed the vehicle and had no choice. We just collected the car, and yes, now it works fine but the cost was an eyewatering €4,800 on top of the €850 for the service (which potentially triggered the whole story)!

I am writing a complaint to Volvo about this and will request some compensation for this extraordinary cost. OK the car is 4 years old and thus out of warranty; but you don't expect a cost like this on such a vehicle. Also it calls into question V's engineering integrity supplying a third-party component which they appear not to master. Similar remark applies to commercial integrity for simply selling a brand-new gearbox at full price rather than a "reconditioned" unit or rebating the customer. It's just as if you'd been told that because your spark-plugs are used you need to purchase a new engine!

I will let you know what response I get from Volvo - who I really hope will act with decency - although we all know that claiming back money already handed over is not often successful.

[v50inred]

Might be an idea to have a mooch around some of the Ford forums for advice on the Powershift gearbox as it is a Ford part.

In a general point it does seem that these new double clutch boxes are very sensitive to lack of maintenance and poor maintenance.

Sometimes poor quality maintenance can be found at main dealers!

[Big feller]

I would be very grateful for an update on this issue along with details from anyone with a "Transmission performance low" message. As detailed on another thread I started, it seems I may soon be in a similar position. The policy is not to repair these boxes, but to replace - at a cost of over £4000!

If Volvo insist on charging this sort of money for repairs, I can see the Powershift becoming hard to sell second hand, and this making it a less popular choice when new. When it works it seems pretty good, but I am quite happy with the 4 speed auto on my 940. This can be repaired quickly and for very fair money by any number of independent specialists.

[Zeb246]

After reading this thread, this makes me wants to change my gear oil.
What gear oil does it use, how many litres, and where can I get the oil from?

I've been searching online, but cannot seem to find the right auto gear oil.

[SonyVaio]

Originally Posted by Zeb246

After reading this thread, this makes me wants to change my gear oil.
What gear oil does it use, how many litres, and where can I get the oil from?

I've been searching online, but cannot seem to find the right auto gear oil.

Zeb,

Have you got a 'Powershift' box or a 'geartronic' auto box??

[Zeb246]

Originally Posted by SonyVaio

Zeb,

Have you got a 'Powershift' box or a 'geartronic' auto box??

I did mention auto gear oil, don't want any problems with my box.
It's a geartronic.

[SonyVaio]

Originally Posted by Zeb246

I did mention auto gear oil, don't want any problems with my box.
It's a geartronic.

You did mention auto gear oil but this is a 'Powershift' thread and people are talking about powershift box's and powershift oil- NOT geartronic!

If you want to change your geartronic box oil then do a search for 'gibbons method' and 'JWS 3309 oil'. What you read in this thread is not for you.

[Big feller]

Update on my Power shift gearbox woes:

After the V50 went in to Volvos for the second time with an occasional "Transmission Performance Low" problem it played up again the next morning. I was told that Volvo cannot repair these boxes and do not offer reconditioned units.My only way forward is a new box for more than £4000

I wrote an email to Volvo in Sweden and got an astonishingly quick reply from the head of customer relations in the UK. This asked where I bought the car and how many miles it had done. I replied that I bought it from an independent specialist and it has covered 90,000 miles.

It seems that this mileage is above that which is covered by goodwill policy. This is fair enough, but as per my letter to them, my 4 year old car is only worth about £8000. By the time it is 7 or 8 years old a minor gearbox issue could make it a financial write-off.

Volvo has a hard earned and enviable reputation for long lasting cars. We were torn between buying a small car brand new or a better built car second hand. It looks as though we made a bad decision in this case.

Assuming not many of these gearboxes have failed so far, I am surprised Volvo are not willing to help out in order to protect their good name. How many people will buy a car for £4000 or less knowing that a minor gearbox fault could make it worthless at any moment?