Scary noises from my transmission?

[dr.tb.xc]

Okay, I'm feeling a little nauseated and need someone to talk me down.

I've been dealing with the often-discussed lag/slip in downshifting between 3rd and 2nd gears after running at highway speeds for a while. This problem is intermittant, and lately, rare. If I understand the previous threads the problem lies somewhere in the "transmission valve" (have I got that right?) or possibly somehow in the throttle body module (though I can't reason how).

My latest, and most distressing, issue is a loud metallic "clunk" as the car rolls to a stop and the transmission downshifts from 4th to 3rd. The sickening sensation isn't all that different from running over a potthole in the road. I look in my rear view mirror hopefully, but the hole is never there.

As with the other problem, this has happened previously and gone away for a few months. In the last episode the noise/sensation occurred maybe 3 or 4 times within a single day, then mysteriously vanished until now.

The vehicle has a little over 95,000 miles on it and has never had the AT fluid flushed and replaced, though I'm planning to do so in the very near future. The transmission software has been upgraded already.

Has anyone else run into this problem? Any ideas what's going on? There must be a million things I'd rather spend money on than a replacement transmission.

(Urp! I don't feel so well.)

-Todd

[dr.tb.xc]

I'm surprised. All you seasoned XC afficianados, all that experience, all that desire to help, and no one has anything to say about my desperate inquiry? I'll say it again; I'm surprised.

Still waiting. Still hoping.

-Todd

[BillAileo]

If you are a do it yourself type I recommend first carefully checking the ATF fluid (you don't want it too high or too low) with the car running following Volvo's instructions, something you have probably already done. Assuming that's not the problem, replace the fluid with JWS 3309 (do not use anything else, do a search for Gibbons' method for doing this, it works great). There is no guarrantee this will correct anything but at 95,000 you need it anyway. Anything beyond that will probably have to be pursued by a professional....

Bill

[dr.tb.xc]

Thanks for the reply, Bill. I'll do the ATF change proceedure, but I don't really expect it to help this problem. As you said, I'm overdue to perform this maintenance.

Fortunately (I suppose) the intermittant "clunk" issue has again dissappeared. I'd feel better if I actually knew what was going on. Is it a transmission problem? Is it a flaky CV joint? I'll probably just have to wait till it becomes constant before I'll be able to track it down.

Thanks again.

-Todd

[v70+xc70]

You're talking about the Flare that to me happened when accelerating not decelerating. Its caused by valve body in the transmission, which controls which gear you are in.

Of course someone else mentioned that their xc needed a new transmission at 100k, but I'm only saying that to scare you....

The metallic sound suggests wear somewhere, but being metallic, I'm wondering if you are suffering from worn bushing (cheap) or its something you just have to put down to wear and tear and live with

[Vwvolvo]

My transmission was replaced under warranty last september. I had the flare between 2nd and 3rd gear and the odd clunk. Now with new tranny, same thing. I notice the clunk rarely but only in traffic. The flare only happens in my neighbourhood when I '' tease '' the throttle pedal between stops and curves at around 20Km/hr (10-15 M/hr).

Don't get discouraged. I was happy to hear that VOLVO would replace my transmission ans was saying to myself '' good, no more flares and clunks ''. Also I had read many many many posts on this site (great site by the way ) saying to get the neutral disabled at the dealer, change ATF, get the ECM updated. All those '' solutions '' were done with no results and now with new transmission it's the same. Well I put my mind to rest and I guess that this is what I would call ''VOLVO's caprice'' .

Luc
Montreal, Canada

[dr.tb.xc]

Originally Posted by v70+xc70

You're talking about the Flare that to me happened when accelerating not decelerating. Its caused by valve body in the transmission, which controls which gear you are in.

Ahhh, yes, you're right about that. I mis-stated in my earlier post. The flare invariably occurs when I'm accelerating, but always after decelerating from freeway speeds (which I've been known to drive on residential streets! )

Of course someone else mentioned that their xc needed a new transmission at 100k, but I'm only saying that to scare you....

Gee, thanks for that. The words "new transmission" have a way of making me feel a bit nauseated. I actually had this "flare" issue crop up while the vehicle was still under warranty. The dealer uploaded the latest transmission software and sent me packing. Naturally, the exact same problem resurfaced as soon as my odometer rolled over 50,000 miles. They tell me it doesn't matter that the problem had been reported before. It's out of warranty. Period. Great service, Uncle Volvo! Thanks.

The metallic sound suggests wear somewhere, but being metallic, I'm wondering if you are suffering from worn bushing (cheap) or its something you just have to put down to wear and tear and live with.

Cheap is good! I've wondered if it could be in the suspension and not the transmission, but I'm afraid it does feel more like a drivetrain issue. Still, it hasn't done it in over a week. Good. Yes? (Frantically searching for something wood to knock on)

My latest issue is the appearance of the "SRS Airbag, Urgent Service" message, which just showed up yesterday. It may be conicidental, but it came on after I re-connected the battery ground, which I'd undone to install a new Alpine head unit. I'm taking it to the dealer to have that investigated today. Wish me luck.

I'm thinking that once I complete the installation of my entire new high-power audio system I'll be able to drown out all the weird noises my XC has been making lately. That should take care of the problem.

-Todd

[BillAileo]

FWIW: A not uncomon cause of the SRS message is a failure in the electrical contact ring in the steering column that connects the airbag in the steering wheel. Mine was replaced under warranty. I think the warranty on the SRS system is five years. Perhaps you are still within warranty?

Bill

[dr.tb.xc]

Originally Posted by BillAileo

FWIW: A not uncomon cause of the SRS message is a failure in the electrical contact ring in the steering column that connects the airbag in the steering wheel. Mine was replaced under warranty. I think the warranty on the SRS system is five years. Perhaps you are still within warranty? Bill

Thanks, Bill. I was going to take her in for evaluation of the problem, but the service department was swamped that day. I'll try again in a couple more days.

They tell me that I'll be on my own as far as paying for the eval/repair goes, since the warranty for the SRS system is 8 years or 80k miles, whichever comes first. I'm over 95k miles, even though I'm within the 8 year limit. Hopefully the repair bill won't be too painful.

I'll post an update when I know more. Thanks again.

-Todd

[v70+xc70]

02- 78k needs new tranny. Depressing news-$6k- They are going to trade it for a new one...but wont be a Volvo by the sound of it.

No factory support for this defective part-