V50 G/box : Powershift problem

[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

[Daim]

Last time I heard that, the box was changed.

[961]

This oil change from all accounts is not easy and needs doing carefully. It's not cheap and can easily be bodged

I'd be inclined to report what has happened to Volvo UK so that if you have a problem in the future you can ask them to sort it

They should be able to access the fault codes for your car

Hopefully it's a glitch that is now fully sorted

[tayandre]

Have you changed the gearbox oil? I think it's every 50k miles or 4 years.

[961]

Originally Posted by tayandre

Have you changed the gearbox oil? I think it's every 50k miles or 4 years.

See end of first post. Oil said to have been changed by main dealer

My first inclination is to ensure event is logged with Volvo and main dealer who did the work

These gearboxes need careful maintenance by professionals

[chairV50]

Thanks for the replies so far.
What is the best way to report problems to Volvo UK?

Also - I've found a PDF of the user manual. On page 51 it lists the error message I got and says:
The gearbox cannot handle full capacity. Drive carefully until the message clears, see page 144. If shown repeatedly: Contact an authorised Volvo workshop.
So it doesn't it doesn't sound like a fatal problem.
(Page 144 should read 145, which gives other gearbox overheating messages.)

[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!