2011 D5 Auto Gearbox

[JaySand]

Dear All,

Another one for your Sunday review!

When the car is up to temp, there is what can only be described as a significant jolt when putting the car into 'D". We took it to the local Volvo dealership and got the following report:

“Confirm N to D gear engagement harsh, no relevant fault codes stored. Check transmission oil level and quality, all ok. Carried out adaption process, gear change still harsh, carried out second addition, fault remains. Internal gearbox failure, excess leakage past C1 clutch.” At the time the fault first occurred, the car had travelled about 65K (with a full Volvo service history).

As a matter of course, we got the gearbox oil changed but have been living with this for a couple of years as it hasn't got any worse (or better!). The replacement and rebuild costs are scary...

Is this a one-off or have any of you had the same issue?

Cheers, J

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by JaySand

Dear All,

Another one for your Sunday review!

When the car is up to temp, there is what can only be described as a significant jolt when putting the car into 'D". We took it to the local Volvo dealership and got the following report:

“Confirm N to D gear engagement harsh, no relevant fault codes stored. Check transmission oil level and quality, all ok. Carried out adaption process, gear change still harsh, carried out second addition, fault remains. Internal gearbox failure, excess leakage past C1 clutch.” At the time the fault first occurred, the car had travelled about 65K (with a full Volvo service history).

As a matter of course, we got the gearbox oil changed but have been living with this for a couple of years as it hasn't got any worse (or better!). The replacement and rebuild costs are scary...

Is this a one-off or have any of you had the same issue?

Cheers, J

What’s the mileage now?

It does not sound right no, mine is on 90k and no issues. Changed the oil at 70k which was filthy.

I would have thought this is more likely a valve block sticking issue rather than gear failure.

[Spike56]

I had this on my 2011 S60. Was told I needed a replacement gearbox ("We don't repair them, we only fit new ones") or to take it to a transmission specialist. Unsurprisingly I opted to go to a specialist! After driving around for 45 minutes (without a single problem!!!) they said I "could" replace it or live with it until it gave up and died. I drove around for a while and put up with the thud (felt like someone running into the back of the car). Then I was driving to my local Volvo for a winter check, traffic was heavy and I had recently found the sports setting (Don't ask!). Drove into the slip road using the "manual" facility at slow speeds. Had the winter check, picked up the car and nothing happened since. This was last year sometime. I can't say whether it was the gearbox freeing itself or perhaps something done in the check.

Bottom line. Drive the car in all possible ways. Fast, very slow, in sports mode (if you have it), in "manual" selection etc. Something may free itself up along the way, if you're lucky.

Good luck!

ps As it's now 6-8 months without repetition I am going to have the oil changed! God help me!

[JaySand]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

What’s the mileage now?

It does not sound right no, mine is on 90k and no issues. Changed the oil at 70k which was filthy.

I would have thought this is more likely a valve block sticking issue rather than gear failure.

95K now, the oil was done at about 75K. As I said, to doesn't do it from cold, it drives with no problems, you just have to brace yourself when selecting drive!

Cheers, J

[JaySand]

Originally Posted by Spike56

I had this on my 2011 S60. Was told I needed a replacement gearbox ("We don't repair them, we only fit new ones") or to take it to a transmission specialist. Unsurprisingly I opted to go to a specialist! After driving around for 45 minutes (without a single problem!!!) they said I "could" replace it or live with it until it gave up and died. I drove around for a while and put up with the thud (felt like someone running into the back of the car). Then I was driving to my local Volvo for a winter check, traffic was heavy and I had recently found the sports setting (Don't ask!). Drove into the slip road using the "manual" facility at slow speeds. Had the winter check, picked up the car and nothing happened since. This was last year sometime. I can't say whether it was the gearbox freeing itself or perhaps something done in the check.

Bottom line. Drive the car in all possible ways. Fast, very slow, in sports mode (if you have it), in "manual" selection etc. Something may free itself up along the way, if you're lucky.

Good luck!

ps As it's now 6-8 months without repetition I am going to have the oil changed! God help me!

Will do, thanks for the info. Any excuse to use Sport!

We had the same "advice" from Volvo, replace not repair. I did speak to a gearbox specialist who said we should be looking at around 3K to rebuild it...

[megastef]

Originally Posted by JaySand

Dear All,

Another one for your Sunday review!

When the car is up to temp, there is what can only be described as a significant jolt when putting the car into 'D". We took it to the local Volvo dealership and got the following report:

“Confirm N to D gear engagement harsh, no relevant fault codes stored. Check transmission oil level and quality, all ok. Carried out adaption process, gear change still harsh, carried out second addition, fault remains. Internal gearbox failure, excess leakage past C1 clutch.” At the time the fault first occurred, the car had travelled about 65K (with a full Volvo service history).

As a matter of course, we got the gearbox oil changed but have been living with this for a couple of years as it hasn't got any worse (or better!). The replacement and rebuild costs are scary...

Is this a one-off or have any of you had the same issue?

Cheers, J

Mine (v60 D5 auto, 2012) has exactly the same issue. Started around 70-80.000km. Gearbox oil change at 90.000. Car has now 170.000km, so far so good, didn't worsen, next gearbox oil change scheduled in 10.000, I'll keep you posted.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by JaySand

95K now, the oil was done at about 75K. As I said, to doesn't do it from cold, it drives with no problems, you just have to brace yourself when selecting drive!

Cheers, J

Interesting...

Did you do the change or leave to a dealer?

It’s not an overly easy thing to do well and I am wondering if it were done properly or not?

[Watward]

I have the same problem with my 2011 d5 auto (except that it happens only when cold rather than hot). Mine has done 75k and I'm guessing this is the reason the last owner sold. If anyone has any idea if this indicates a different problem I'd be interested to hear!

I took it to a volvo specialist to have it investigated and they replaced the oil which hasn't helped and suggested that its likely to be torque converter fault which will be about £1600 to recondition (and this has worked for similar faults for them is the past).

However from everything I've read it seems more like a software issue with the gearbox 'adaptations'.

I saw another post on this forum which mentioned a volvo service bulletin with instructions for an 'adaptations Road test' procedure, so I've contacted my local dealer and the aforementioned specialist to ask if they can try (or already have tried) this.

Will keep an eye on this thread and if anything works for me will update.

[megastef]

Originally Posted by Watward

I have the same problem with my 2011 d5 auto (except that it happens only when cold rather than hot). Mine has done 75k and I'm guessing this is the reason the last owner sold. If anyone has any idea if this indicates a different problem I'd be interested to hear!

I took it to a volvo specialist to have it investigated and they replaced the oil which hasn't helped and suggested that its likely to be torque converter fault which will be about £1600 to recondition (and this has worked for similar faults for them is the past).

However from everything I've read it seems more like a software issue with the gearbox 'adaptations'.

I saw another post on this forum which mentioned a volvo service bulletin with instructions for an 'adaptations Road test' procedure, so I've contacted my local dealer and the aforementioned specialist to ask if they can try (or already have tried) this.

Will keep an eye on this thread and if anything works for me will update.

Thanks in advance

[Ovlov2019]

Mines done 44k Nd does this bangs into d when warm. Also likes to drop a gear when not fully stopping at roundabout but rolling then setting off. Volvo have done 2 adaptations Nd oil change Nd in one breath told me it shouldn't bang. Then changed there mind and said it's not banging at the moment Nd to let it develope. Trust me it still bangs Nd drops gears when not need. Occationally it hard shifts into 2nd when slowing down makes a right jolt..

Thanks
Tom