53 D5 gearbox slip on long drive, lucas stop slip fluid??

[abrli]

hi,

had a transmission service fault on recent 600-mile continuous drive. put the car in cruise control for most part and was doing a steady 70-75 mph.

garage looked at the problem for me (excellent Volvo specialist in London) and advises that fault read as communication fault with tcm / lock-up function fault.

was then trawling the internet and came across some american stuff called lucas transmission stop slip that appears to be the #1 seller of gear oil additive on amazon.

anyone has experience with this product? will it help to squeeze out a few more thousands of miles out of the gearbox which i understand will eventually need to be replaced?

thanks for your help guys!

[Coconut]

Not sure how an oil additive will cure a communication fault ?

I'd go back to the "excellent Volvo specialist" and ask what the fault code really means.

The "communication fault with tcm / lock-up function" fault sounds like it may have something to do
with the Traction Control Module / Anti Lock Braking System, possibly due to an electrical fault / sensor fault etc ?

I certainly wouldn't go adding anything other than correct specification
of fluid to the transmission without knowing what the actual problem is !

[spokoluzik]

TCM comm fault appears always when you have fault in gearbox.
Better you change oil and upgrade software to newest. Over 60Mph torque converter should lock up, if there is any delays or slipping will have message transmission service needed. If specialist is "excellent" should tell you about that.
Also anti slip will not be any helpful, probably one of your solenoids is being blocked/ stuck.

[Keyser Soze]

Do not in any circumstance add any additive to the ATF in an Aisin Warner gearbox. It'll only hasten up the need for a new tranny. Only use the JWS3309 spec fluid that was developed for the box. Usually on the AW boxes, crud gets into the valve chest which is then the source of many problems.

[abrli]

thanks guys for your advice. the garage in question is braydon motors in north London and they've been servicing volvo and saab cars since the 70s.

the guys did advise a software update which was available, but i was told that the box will still probably fail eventually. they also reset the adaption for me.

took it down to brighton and back today, no problem so far and it seems that the gear changes are a little smoother now, probably because the throttle response matches my style of driving more now.

i'll refrain from adding the unknown substance into the transmission for now as no one here seem to have had any experience with the product.

here's some product info i copied off amazon..

Technical Details
Stops Slip, Leaks, Hard Shifting : Renews Worn Transmission Fluid
Cleans and Lubricates Sticking Valves For Proper Shifting
Polymetric Film Renews Worn Bands to Stop Slipping
Compatible with all transmissions and transmission fluids
A Perfect Preventative Maintenance Product

the user review seems pretty positive as well. guess i won't risk it until the gear changes become really bad..

[spokoluzik]

So you're right then. They really good. I do electronic for them so I now them well. Did they change oil as well??

[abrli]

Originally Posted by spokoluzik

So you're right then. They really good. I do electronic for them so I now them well. Did they change oil as well??

yah and the best thing is labour's really not bad for london. on the subject of "magical additive", when i had a slightly stuck turbo a while back caused by previous owner not attacking the throttle very well, i put in some forte diesel turbo cleaner and the engine service light never came up again.

so my guess is based on the numerous reviews posted on the internet, i might give the fluid a go as a drastic measure when the gearbox begins to misbehave again.. although i have to say driving to cornwall and back on the same day in extreme wet conditions would be a good test even for brand new cars..

anyways i'll post up a report when the gearbox really suffers. fingers crossed..

btw, found this user review at http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=9&t=34782 on a s60..

[Keyser Soze]

Originally Posted by abrli

yah and the best thing is labour's really not bad for london. on the subject of "magical additive", when i had a slightly stuck turbo a while back caused by previous owner not attacking the throttle very well, i put in some forte diesel turbo cleaner and the engine service light never came up again.

so my guess is based on the numerous reviews posted on the internet, i might give the fluid a go as a drastic measure when the gearbox begins to misbehave again.. although i have to say driving to cornwall and back on the same day in extreme wet conditions would be a good test even for brand new cars..

anyways i'll post up a report when the gearbox really suffers. fingers crossed..

btw, found this user review at http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=9&t=34782 on a s60..

PLEASE DONT USE ANY ADDITIVE IN YOUR GEARBOX!!!!!!

The use of additives in an AW50-55SN gearbox will only speed up the demise of your gearbox. I had problems in the past on my last V70 and a local garage used an additive in the box, it was a death knell. When the box was repaired by a Local auto specialist, he steadfastly said that anti-slip additives should not be used in the AW box in any circumstance & that the JWS3309 ATF should be the only thing in there.

After that episode I left well alone & am wary of any "wunder" additives. If your box is slipping or appearing to do so then either the valve chest is crudded or a clutch pack could be on its way out. Either way, a tranny on a 53 plate car could do with a flush & fresh fluid if not done so already despite what Volvo call "sealed for life"

[GJB]

Originally Posted by Keyser Soze

PLEASE DONT USE ANY ADDITIVE IN YOUR GEARBOX!!!!!!

The use of additives in an AW50-55SN gearbox will only speed up the demise of your gearbox. I had problems in the past on my last V70 and a local garage used an additive in the box, it was a death knell. When the box was repaired by a Local auto specialist, he steadfastly said that anti-slip additives should not be used in the AW box in any circumstance & that the JWS3309 ATF should be the only thing in there.

After that episode I left well alone & am wary of any "wunder" additives. If your box is slipping or appearing to do so then either the valve chest is crudded or a clutch pack could be on its way out. Either way, a tranny on a 53 plate car could do with a flush & fresh fluid if not done so already despite what Volvo call "sealed for life"

Agree 100% DO NOT ADD ANYTHING TO OIL except more correct oil.

[chrislparker]

My 2003 D5 gearbox started slipping in April 2012, I was towing a caravan so put it down to old oil and strain. Had main dealer flush new oil and update trans software and all was fine for about 9 months. Two weeks ago trans clunked and took a second or two to engage drive and reverse. Came up with "Urgent Transmission Service Required" Specialist trans repair centre took the car up the road and lost all drive. They took the box apart and it was shot, bearings were falling apart, plates worn etc. £2400 repair bill. Whatever you choose to do you will have a large bill coming your way soon!