Solenoid Transmission Failure therefore REPLACE!!!

2000 XC70 auto transmission must be replaced now because a shift solenoid
failed @ 80,000 miles

Dealer tells me that Volvo provides no spare parts or tech training to
repair transmissions due to safety concerns.

Basically, any minor internal component fails inside your transmission, and
you have to replace the whole thing.

If this were a complicated assembly of parts selling for $300 - I could
understand, but replacing a $2000 transmission for a solenoid failure is
like replacing an engine because a solenoid failed.

Am I a dinosaur geezer to think this way?

 

No. Take your car to an auto tranny specialist for repair.

 

My dealer reports that Volvo doesn't make this solenoid part available for
repairs, and neither do aftermarket providers.

Checked some of the internet part dealers, and not much there.

So IF parts aren't available, how does the tranny specialist make the fix?

 

It's quite common for internal transmission parts to not be available,
though it certainly shouldn't have failed at such low mileage. Does anyone
know exactly how it has failed? It may be possible to fix the solenoid if
you can get to it, usually solenoids either bind mechanically or a wire
breaks off.

 

I had exactly this problem about two months ago (see board archive), failed
"B" solenoid valve on my '96 850 w/63kMiles. The car would work fine for a
couple of days and then (usually on aceleration) the "check engine" light
would come on, along with the flashing up-arrow light. The first couple of
times, I just cleared the code and everything went back to normal for a few
days. I found I could make it happen within a mile or two by switching into
"Sport" mode. My mechanic sent me to a tranny shop who said they couldn't
touch it because their computer couldn't talk to the Volvo and sent me to
the dealer. The dealer declared I need a new transmission, for $3200.

Naturally, I didn't want to spend $3200 to fix a car worth not much more
than that. Also, I figured that it's not completely failed, since sometimes
it works. It's probably not a wiring problem, since it seems to be
associated with acceleratation but maybe it's just bits or guck in the fluid
making the solenoid stick. I declined the dealer's kind offer and instead
asked them to power-flush the tranny. It's now been about two months and I
have not had a transmission solenoid error since then.

However, my mileage sucks (about 15 mpg city). My mechanic did a tune-up
with new plugs, cap 'n rotor, fuel filter, and air filter, but it didn't
help. I can't take it back to the dealer now because they've got me marked
for a $3200 tranny. I've got another occasional check engine light, this
one's "Secondary Air Injection System Malfunction." The SAS pump seems to
run o.k. but the valve's a bit rattly. Could this be my problem or is it
the tranny?

What a piece of crap this 850 is.

--
-----

-RL
'76 262 , '78 264, '87 240, '89 240, '96 850, '96 850

 

Find a way to contact Volvo North America and ask them if the tranny needs
replacement for a solenoid failure as the dealership indicates. Name names.

Sounds like the mechanics are working on a commission bases and needs some
extra Xmas cash. Ask for a written quote stating the trans needs
replacement due to a non availability of parts. This puts the dealership on
the spot to then back up what is in writing if a problem arises later ( or
someone pushes the issue in court). It is impossible to explain in court
why something is different than what you wrote.

Stay away from Nation wide Trans shops and at this point even the dealership
if they change their tune. Take your business elsewhere and let your giving
dollars to someone else instead of the dealership talk loudly. Also let
Volvo NA know that you are dis-satisfied with the dealer.

Search for an independent Vovlo mechanic in your area or a reputable local
trans specialist. One indicator of a good trans mechanic is the shop is
really clean. Almost tot he point you question that they have any business
at all. Dirt and automatic transmissions is trouble compounded.

All parts are not made by the auto company themselves. They contract with
other companies to have them made for them. I'm not familiar with the 70XC
series, but Borg-Warner(sp?) and its Eastern arm Asian-Warner(sp?) provided
trans for all the Volvos with a 200,700, 850, and 900 designation. The same
Asian-Warner in my 245 also was used in a lot of Toyotas with a different
bell housing. I can get parts from about nine different places, including
the Toyota dealership if necessary.

After market parts are available through specialty providers. The
independent mechanic does not necessarily have to go through the dealer.
And a dealership is not going to be able to BS someone who knows about
transmissions.

Duane

 

The solenoilds are replacable and the Valve body is replacable
on all P2 platform Volvo's.
What is the problem with the transmission?
There is an updated valve body for some models
because trash can build up at the solenoid orfice
area and interfere with proper oil flow.
I have known of some transmission valve bodies
and/or solenoids that have been replaced and it
did not help the shifting or driving problem.
The only fix was replace the complete transmission.
Not knowing all the codes, shift issues and why the
dealership wants to replace the transmission it is
impossible to guess the correct answer.

BD

 

The only symptom of any SAS related code will be the check engine
light. All that system does is inject air into the exhaust when the
engine is cold to assist oxidation of the rich mixture present after
cold start. This assists in reducing pollution, and promoting the
heating of the catalyst, which also reduces pollution. You may also
notice the air pump working for a few seconds when the engine is idling
after warmup - this is the computer checking the SAS system.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

My guess is that your SAS malfunction is caused by the pump itself
or a leak somewhere or a bad oxygen sensor.

My 97 850GLT hasn't been exactly dazzling in its reliability, but it's
been behaving much better since they replaced the engine computer.

 

Wife was driving it,
Arrow flashing
Check engine light on

Limp mode

Error Code was TCM 000C
Shift Solenoid S-2 Hydraulic Fault