2011 D5 Auto Gearbox

[montyboy1]

My 2015 XC60 D5 auto has started to do exactly the same thing as described in the last post in this thread. Mileage 36k
Intermittent fault which seems to happen more after driving a reasonable distance. Doesn't do it in sport setting or manual.
Symptoms: Drops a gear with a sight jolt when slowing for a junction and hard jolt when at standstill changing from neutral to drive. No jolt when changing from neutral to reverse.
Dealer suggests it is likely to need a 'software reset' and would do diagnostic plug in at £100. Previous post on this thread says this doesn't cure it.
Am wondering if gearbox will be damaged if I do nothing and put up with it.
Flippin annoying on what's supposed to be a high quality car at such low mileage. Never had problems like this with my previous Toyotas.

[Spike56]

Before you do anything see my earlier reply...….. Mine went 'away' after a bit of 'playful' driving.

It started shortly after purchase (a bit of a theme!) and was quite dreadful, a little like being lightly rear ended. Volvo suggested replacing the box "as we don't repair them" (!) But also recommended seeing a transmission specialist first. Those guys drove the car for 45 minutes without problems so recommended leaving it until it broke! A little while later I was due to have Volvo's winter check so drove the 4 miles to my local dealer, using both sport and manual modes and at different speeds, playing basically. After the winter check everything worked as it should have. I don't know what was wrong, I don't know what 'fixed' it and since last year it has been fine (touching all the wood I can reach!) I can only assume that something gets stuck/sticky and was jolted loose while playing with the box.

On a side note I have also had the Polestar 'optimisation' and gearbox oil changed. Totally different car (touching that wood again!).

I only say it worked for me.

[XCmacca]

Mine had this problem, had the software update £38 and adaptions cleared.
I changed the gearbox oil as per volvosweden on youtube myself, used 25 litres of propper spec oil and not had an issue since, was worth the effort and outlay, love my car again!

[Toprivetguns]

Originally Posted by XCmacca

Mine had this problem, had the software update £38 and adaptions cleared.
I changed the gearbox oil as per volvosweden on youtube myself, used 25 litres of propper spec oil and not had an issue since, was worth the effort and outlay, love my car again!

What oil did you use. Volvo or Ravenol ?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Spike56

Before you do anything see my earlier reply...….. Mine went 'away' after a bit of 'playful' driving.

It started shortly after purchase (a bit of a theme!) and was quite dreadful, a little like being lightly rear ended. Volvo suggested replacing the box "as we don't repair them" (!) But also recommended seeing a transmission specialist first. Those guys drove the car for 45 minutes without problems so recommended leaving it until it broke! A little while later I was due to have Volvo's winter check so drove the 4 miles to my local dealer, using both sport and manual modes and at different speeds, playing basically. After the winter check everything worked as it should have. I don't know what was wrong, I don't know what 'fixed' it and since last year it has been fine (touching all the wood I can reach!) I can only assume that something gets stuck/sticky and was jolted loose while playing with the box.

On a side note I have also had the Polestar 'optimisation' and gearbox oil changed. Totally different car (touching that wood again!).

I only say it worked for me.

That is shocking advise considering they have been having this problem for about 2 or 3 years now and the diagnostics and successful repair has been documented in their bulletins for 18 months to 2 years now ..

For a jolt going into D and possibly also a jolt with 5th to 4th . As always you need to start with new oil and latest software , that might help with some .
The procedure is to get the car into adaptive mode and do certain defined driving actions from cold with the VIDA connected . the built in diagnostics advising on the next step if the adaption range is insufficient .
That is the actual repair which involves taking the gearbox out , pulling the torque converter off and oil pump behind it and replacing some sealing rings behind it on the main shaft .. there is some leakage there which lowers the gearbox operating oil pressure if you have the problem .

[Spike56]

Not good for business at all! The opinion in the dealership was that they "could" repair the whole box (!) but that it would cost almost as much to take the old one out, strip it, "try" and identify the problem and then replace parts and refit, as it would to just buy a new box.

To be fair, the tranny specialist would have done the same thing. Changing my box for a previously rebuilt one from another vehicle and then having Volvo do the adaptations. They were VERY familiar with Volvo boxes! BUT they could not replicate the problem so suggested leaving it until it gave up completely and replacement became the only option.

As I said, mine seems to have corrected itself. I've had the oil changed (by Volvo) and installed the Polestar optimisation and everything is so different.

This really should be something for Volvo to look into as it does appear to be a long running problem and an expensive one to boot!

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Spike56

Not good for business at all! The opinion in the dealership was that they "could" repair the whole box (!) but that it would cost almost as much to take the old one out, strip it, "try" and identify the problem and then replace parts and refit, as it would to just buy a new box.

To be fair, the tranny specialist would have done the same thing. Changing my box for a previously rebuilt one from another vehicle and then having Volvo do the adaptations. They were VERY familiar with Volvo boxes! BUT they could not replicate the problem so suggested leaving it until it gave up completely and replacement became the only option.

As I said, mine seems to have corrected itself. I've had the oil changed (by Volvo) and installed the Polestar optimisation and everything is so different.

This really should be something for Volvo to look into as it does appear to be a long running problem and an expensive one to boot!

Yes it is a known fix which has been around now for about 2 years with different seals , it is not a complete strip down just he front pump to come off .

[Spike56]

Business model.

Identify a known issue, do not rectify, do not offer to repair, suggest replacing the whole unit or to take the problem elsewhere at owners expense.

And they wonder why customers become disillusioned?

[seanc]

Originally Posted by Clan

Yes it is a known fix which has been around now for about 2 years with different seals , it is not a complete strip down just he front pump to come off .

Hi Clan,

Is there a technical journal for that? The problem is, the dealer appears to be clueless.

I too had a similar experience to Spike a couple of months ago.
I initially asked for a software upgrade because of my problems, but they wanted to do a diagnostic instead - I agreed thinking as the diagnostic software and awareness advances, maybe they'll find something or supply some evidence.

They did not supply any diagnostic information, just advised and carried out an adaptation and told me if it didn't help to replace my entire gearbox. I suppose I should try to ask them for a software upgrade again.

If all the work to sort these seals on the gearbox is 'external' and not in the inner depths, it sounds like a repair might be less eye watering.

My problem comes and goes. Today on the way to work it was almost faultless, now after sitting in the sunshine for a few hours it banged into drive and was bumpy through the gears.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by seanc

Hi Clan,

Is there a technical journal for that? The problem is, the dealer appears to be clueless.

I too had a similar experience to Spike a couple of months ago.
I initially asked for a software upgrade because of my problems, but they wanted to do a diagnostic instead - I agreed thinking as the diagnostic software and awareness advances, maybe they'll find something or supply some evidence.

They did not supply any diagnostic information, just advised and carried out an adaptation and told me if it didn't help to replace my entire gearbox. I suppose I should try to ask them for a software upgrade again.

If all the work to sort these seals on the gearbox is 'external' and not in the inner depths, it sounds like a repair might be less eye watering.

My problem comes and goes. Today on the way to work it was almost faultless, now after sitting in the sunshine for a few hours it banged into drive and was bumpy through the gears.

Yes there is and it has been out 2 years , with a few updates ...
it is not deep in the box , just the front pump comes out behind the torque converter . there are modified seals which are a bit like piston rings . The problem is heat related as the oil gets hotter it leaks away internaly easier .