G/box: AWD: "Transmission Performance Low"

[jjkenya]

59 plate XC90, 50k miles but FSH... Recently discussed on here due to needing a new engine. Seems my luck is pretty limited, wife was driving in town and had the "Transmission Performance Low" message and the car wouldn't engage any gears, manually or automatically.

Took in to Volvo and been advised it will be £1280 to replace Control Module and update software...

Any thoughts on the price, the cause? Could the engine replacement have had an effect?

[oragex]

Be aware that is quite frequent for Volvo dealers to only "guess" a repair. Plenty of customers who paid thousands only to be left with the same problem as before the repair. With that in mind, I don't see how replacing the engine would affect the transmission, unless when dealing with some shady garage. I'd get a second opinion and also inquire about a recommended garage here on forums.
local.google.com shows garages reviews from past customers, can be useful...

[niggly]

Presume auto? Complicated things auto boxes. Ever seen one apart? Very, very scarey. Don't think main dealers (any marque) are exactly experts. I'd try and get an auto gearbox specialist's opinion if there is one not too far from you. Given that is all they do, they tend to be more competent.

[Simon Jones]

Ask the main dealer for copy of the fault report from VIDA as that will list the specific error codes.

[jjkenya]

Thanks for the help so far. It's a 6 speed auto. Recall that it has had an engine replacement less than 3 months ago.

From Volvo:
We have fitted new module to car and module is working ok, but car still has no drive due to internal fault in auto box that requires replaced, we have contacted your warranty company and they have authorised the repair, unfortunately their is a limit on the policy and they have only authorised £2830 that would leave £2500 outstanding that would be down to yourself. please contact us to let us know how you wish to proceed.

Requested the fault code: TCM-012D
Costs:
Parts £3573.00 plus vat
Labour £855.00 plus vat

Goodness me. Any ideas?

[Sasha94]

It's not unheard of for the TCM to die and take the whole gearbox with it on the Aisin-Warner TF80-SC gearbox. If the box is diagnosed as dead I would advise a remanufactured unit be installed at a price much less than that quoted by the Volvo dealer.

Doesn't seem a very well maintained car this, you must be very unlucky indeed with it but it must stop at some point I suppose!!

[jjkenya]

I have called around and the car has been recovered (at my cost) to Charles Butler Motor Engineers in Forfar. I couldn't find anyone else local who would touch it. The quote was £2850 and that included a 24 month warranty on the box, far out doing Volvo itself.

I'd spent a good morning's worth of time organising all this, pricing, recovery, etc, and had informed Volvo of the fact that their price was unaffordable for me. "We can do finance, if you like, sir?"...

The AC Volvo garage then called me when the car was being collected by the recovery vehicle.
"Oh, the recovery car is here to collect your car. I understand you are taking to to Charles Butler?"
"Yes, that's right"
"Oh, good, well we do use them too sometimes as an alternative option as well, so we can help you with all the administration"
[What the hell are they on about and why was this not already mentioned when the original Volvo quote was provided???]
"Ok, I already have a plan and a price for the work so my car just needs loading and sending"
"Oh, ok, but we do use them too so we can help with any administration..."

... and so the conversation went on with them trying to make out they were responsible in some way for making my life easier. It was most bizarre. I am hopeful the car is sorted this week.

[jjkenya]

For completeness, I would like to add the outcome of this episode which is simply that Charlie Butler have done the work and the car is back on the road with a 2 year warranted gearbox. So far so good.