XC60 Slamming into gear when selecting Drive

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Hi guys

I have a 2011 XC60 D3 Geartronic FWD and sometimes when selecting D (drive) on the gearbox it slams into gear with a bit of a bang and a thump. It happens randomly. It can be fine for a few days and then all of a sudden it will start doing it again. All other gear changes are fine.

The car still has 6 months of main dealer warranty left on it so if this problem is not typical of the XC60 then I would like to get it sorted.

Have any of you experienced anything similar?

[volvo for ever]

ok 1st thing to do if not been done is make sure its on latest tcm software and very importantly it need readapting your dealler can easilly do this

regards

[wimorrison]

This can happen if the engine revs are even just a tad too high - as said, take it to the dealer and get them to investigate and repair under warranty.

[jackthehat.co.uk]

Thanks guys. It was bought from a main dealer 6 months ago and I'm fairly certain it was upgraded to the latest software before I received it. Nevertheless, it looks like it'll be going back for a visit.

[Peter Lee]

Hi, this has just started happening to mine (early 2011 D3 with the 2.0 5cyl). The problem is intermittent but both times it has happened it's been in hot weather.

Is there a way I can find out what software it is running without any OBD gear? Bit concerned I'm going to get another big repair bill here.

[Agouti]

I've seen at least 2 other cases of geartronics with harsh engagement of Drive. Both were solved through replacing the transmission oil and resetting the TCM oil degradation counter. An adaptation reset might also help. It is possible that a software update helps, but I think that it is purely coincidental as that occurs at most trips to a dealership. Attributing it to an update is more of a positive statement for a dealership to make as well ('we've improved your car' vs 'unplanned and uncosted servicing you didn't know you needed').

Since 2011 there has been at least one important update to the TCM, but I don't think it is possible to find out if that has occured without VIDA. It should have been applied if it was serviced at a dealership in the last year or two.

Basically the transmission control module (TCM) keeps a counter to estimate the amount of transmission oil degradation that has occured from things like towing or heavy stop/start usage and it adjusts various parameters to suit. When the TCM counter gets high enough you get a message saying that a service is required. The counter helps to prolong transmission oil changes and allows Volvo to call it "sealed for life" where other manufacturers with the same Aisin gearbox have regularly scheduled oil changes.

As to why yours is having issues... It could be that it is just due for an oil change and the counter isnt high enough to trigger a message, or it might have had the wrong oil put in previously, or it might have had the oil changed without resetting the counter. It might also be possible that it was due for a change and the counter was reset to clear the service code without changing the oil which would be dangerous. Does it have a towbar fitted? How many miles has it done?

Another sign of bad transmission oil is on gear changes when accelerating (particularly third to fourth) the RPM will jump up before dropping down instead of smoothly dropping straight down.

Regardless, having bought it from a dealer less than a year ago you should be able to get it addressed under warranty as it is not normal behaviour and could (very worst case) be a sign or an impending failure. Ask them about the service history and what the TCM counter is at.

[ianwhi]

Hi All,

I have a 2011 D5 with 127,000 miles on the clock I have suffered the same issues, I have had the oil changed and aso had some Lucas addative added. I have also had to have an ECU change so I assume my TCM software would have been updated at the same time.

My problem is also random but I do fine that if I have been towing it is worse and happens more often. I now normally tow in sport mode which seems to stop it doing it.

I have resigned myself to living with this problem as a valve pack change or gearbox refurbish is not cost effective for me.

Love the car but never had so much cost on any vehicle, I sometimes think there is to much technology!

[JBob74]

Originally Posted by ianwhi

Hi All,

I have a 2011 D5 with 127,000 miles on the clock I have suffered the same issues, I have had the oil changed and aso had some Lucas addative added. I have also had to have an ECU change so I assume my TCM software would have been updated at the same time.

My problem is also random but I do fine that if I have been towing it is worse and happens more often. I now normally tow in sport mode which seems to stop it doing it.

I have resigned myself to living with this problem as a valve pack change or gearbox refurbish is not cost effective for me.

Love the car but never had so much cost on any vehicle, I sometimes think there is to much technology!

If not already done, get the dealer to reset the adaptations. If it is any consolation, mine has done only 28k miles and started with the harsh D engagement last week - resetting the adaptations has cured for now but dealer won't change the ATF and says if the problem recurs it will be a new gearbox!

My understanding is that if the adaptation reset doesn't cure it then it is most likely a linear solenoid sticking. These can be replaced with the gearbox in situ but will cost £500 - £700 to get a autobox specialist to do it.

[Peter Lee]

Originally Posted by Agouti

Basically the transmission control module (TCM) keeps a counter to estimate the amount of transmission oil degradation that has occured from things like towing or heavy stop/start usage and it adjusts various parameters to suit. When the TCM counter gets high enough you get a message saying that a service is required. The counter helps to prolong transmission oil changes and allows Volvo to call it "sealed for life" where other manufacturers with the same Aisin gearbox have regularly scheduled oil changes.

I've got a dash message that's just started that says "Book time for maintenance" - I'm guessing it could be that then.

[mordred1973]

the book for maintenance usually appears 30 days before the annual service is due.....mine did it a few days ago and now says it on every start up because last years service was on 28th September....