gearbox noise

[bobdabuilda]

Have just noticed this after doing the school run today. It's an odd noise to describe but it's like someting is slipping or rubbing and lasts for a second or two after the car has changed gear at low speeds (1st 2nd 3rd gear). The noise is absent at higher speeds on the motorway. Does the autobox on the XC90 usually make this sort of noise and is there anything I should do/check?

[jamk]

That sounds the same as a problem I've been having. My dealer has replaced the Oscillation Damper on mine, it seems to have improved the problem but not entirely cured it. I'll bring it up again at the 1st service.

Anyone else got any thoughts on this?

[bobdabuilda]

Thanks jamk- let me know what they say. Was it a big job to do the oscillation dampener?

[jamk]

It was in for a whole day, don't know exactly how long the work took. The service advisor did say that it was a fairly big job when he booked it in for me.

My car's on Contract Hire & under warranty so I didn't get a detailed worksheet from the dealer.

[stephenburbidge]

Mine is a 2010 Geartronic D5. When the box changes from 1st > 2nd and 2nd > 3rd there is a noise like something rubbing or vibrating and it feels as though the power is trying to kind of "burst through" then it acelerates normally - the changes when this happens are not "crisp" It feels as though it is struggling to change gear then all of a sudden it powers through and changes - gives the feeling of relief that it has changed!
This doesn't happen all the time but is becoming more prevalent.
I have been back to dealers they say they can't find a fault but the problem hese days is that they don't know what to do if the computer doesn't identify the issue for them.
Anyone had any success - if mine doesn't get sorted I am thinking about getting an independant test done which I will then charge back to Volvo.

[Rockhopper]

Originally Posted by stephenburbidge

.. It feels as though it is struggling to change gear then all of a sudden it powers through and changes - gives the feeling of relief that it has changed!..

This sounds normal to me for an auto when the torque converter locks up (TCC) - the acceleration 'feels' more normal as the revs fall slightly as the TCC engages. You can force it more by manually shifting over in 3rd or 4th. Doesn't lockup soon enough in some instances for my liking...

Not sure about the rubbing or vibrating noises though ?!

[jamk]

Originally Posted by Rockhopper

This sounds normal to me for an auto when the torque converter locks up (TCC) - the acceleration 'feels' more normal as the revs fall slightly as the TCC engages. You can force it more by manually shifting over in 3rd or 4th. Doesn't lockup soon enough in some instances for my liking...

Not sure about the rubbing or vibrating noises though ?!

Rockhopper, I think what you're describing is normal, but the hesitation in changing up is much more pronounced than that. My experience is exactly as stephenburbidge says. It's changing up in the lower gears, it seems like the gearbox is struggling to change and there is the accompanying rubbing noise. Not an awful, grinding, there's something seriously wrong here type of noise but very noticable. It seems to be coming back on my car, so replacing the oscillation damper hasn't been the solution. I'm going to keep an eye (or ear) on it over the next couple of days & go back to the dealer to see what else can be done.

[jamk]

Strangely the problem hasn't recurred since my last post.... long may that continue!

[stephenburbidge]

The noise has reduced on mine but just once it came back much louder and the car seemed to shudder a little as well. Dealer says live with it till it gets much more pronounced and they can trace it. Anyone else had these wierd noises? problem is I am waiting for it to happen now and its spoiling a damn good car!

[jamk]

I've noticed that the noise/hesitation seems to occur more on cooler days, on warmer days it doesn't seem to happen.