Rockginxc
01-22-2010, 08:39 PM
I wanted to continue this thread because it has become a saga.
Original problem with the transmission shifting issues from 2nd to 3rd gear seems to be too common - servo issues. The entire transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer did the work as well as replacing the CV joints (which actually made the car feel great). The transmission came with a 12 month warranty. This is where the saga continues.
Literally 13 months after I got the car back, I was again having transmission problems. It felt like 1st gear wasn't engaged at all and the car was starting from a dead stop in 2nd gear. It was revving up to 2K - 3K just to get moving. It didn't feel like it was "slipping", it just felt like I was in too high a gear to get going..very sluggish. In addition, at highway speeds if you took your foot off the accelerator, the transmission would drop out of gear and rev at about 600-700 rpm, but I could hear the engine revving much higher. Again, this is exactly one month after the warranty ended and I had driven the car less than 7,000 miles. Also, the car's computer did not show any warning messages or any fault codes.
I took the car back...obviously unhappy and even more so when the service guy reminded me that the warranty ended a month ago. They test drove the car and confirmed that it needed ANOTHER new transmission which usually costs about $5,000+. After a little "you've gotta be kidding me" conversation, they said that Volvo will throw in a new/rebuilt transmission for free, but I would have to get a much of other "safety" work done to complete the deal. In test driving the car they said that the front sway bar links had to be replaced, it needed new front brake rotors and pads front/rear, a new left axle, and a rear exhaust bracket. The total cost was $1,753.93. Also, the new transmission would only come with a 3-month warranty this time since it fell under the warranty of the other new transmission...they said (It like a dealership riddle).
For once I didn't haggle, complain, or stomp around (I don't really stomp around). I did need new brakes, so I agreed..thinking for that sum, the car would be in great shape and solid. When the car was done, Service called me and said the after completion test drive was done, but the car has a whine that's coming from the Viscous Coupler and did I ever notice this sound. BTW, I've been working on cars (specifically BMWs for over 25 years). I never heard that sound and said "no". I do know that the Viscous Coupler is attached to the front axle which not only did they have to replace on the left side, but would have to disconnect to remove the transmission.
I went to go pick up the car tonight after hours, but before I left the keys to the loaner car in their drop box, I took my XC for a test drive. The whine was unmistakable...and was certainly not there before I dropped it off. It also made a slight creak/crunch sound as the car was turning and decelerating below 5mph. I drove the car twice up and down to make sure and the sound was truly unmistakable. It wasn't there before and they didn't mention it when they first test drove the car. I left my car, placed my key in their drop box and took the loaner back.
Because I have not worked on Volvo AWD cars, I wanted to ask knowledgeable people on this forum about this Viscous Coupler and the possibility of them damaging it or whacking it out of balance during reassembly of the transmission and axles. I also felt a vibration very near the driver's side floor pan..near my feet. My assumptions are based on my knowledge of working on BMW vehicles and cars/drivelines in general. I hope a few of you can give me some good information regarding this issue.
Thanks very much.
RD
Original problem with the transmission shifting issues from 2nd to 3rd gear seems to be too common - servo issues. The entire transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer did the work as well as replacing the CV joints (which actually made the car feel great). The transmission came with a 12 month warranty. This is where the saga continues.
Literally 13 months after I got the car back, I was again having transmission problems. It felt like 1st gear wasn't engaged at all and the car was starting from a dead stop in 2nd gear. It was revving up to 2K - 3K just to get moving. It didn't feel like it was "slipping", it just felt like I was in too high a gear to get going..very sluggish. In addition, at highway speeds if you took your foot off the accelerator, the transmission would drop out of gear and rev at about 600-700 rpm, but I could hear the engine revving much higher. Again, this is exactly one month after the warranty ended and I had driven the car less than 7,000 miles. Also, the car's computer did not show any warning messages or any fault codes.
I took the car back...obviously unhappy and even more so when the service guy reminded me that the warranty ended a month ago. They test drove the car and confirmed that it needed ANOTHER new transmission which usually costs about $5,000+. After a little "you've gotta be kidding me" conversation, they said that Volvo will throw in a new/rebuilt transmission for free, but I would have to get a much of other "safety" work done to complete the deal. In test driving the car they said that the front sway bar links had to be replaced, it needed new front brake rotors and pads front/rear, a new left axle, and a rear exhaust bracket. The total cost was $1,753.93. Also, the new transmission would only come with a 3-month warranty this time since it fell under the warranty of the other new transmission...they said (It like a dealership riddle).
For once I didn't haggle, complain, or stomp around (I don't really stomp around). I did need new brakes, so I agreed..thinking for that sum, the car would be in great shape and solid. When the car was done, Service called me and said the after completion test drive was done, but the car has a whine that's coming from the Viscous Coupler and did I ever notice this sound. BTW, I've been working on cars (specifically BMWs for over 25 years). I never heard that sound and said "no". I do know that the Viscous Coupler is attached to the front axle which not only did they have to replace on the left side, but would have to disconnect to remove the transmission.
I went to go pick up the car tonight after hours, but before I left the keys to the loaner car in their drop box, I took my XC for a test drive. The whine was unmistakable...and was certainly not there before I dropped it off. It also made a slight creak/crunch sound as the car was turning and decelerating below 5mph. I drove the car twice up and down to make sure and the sound was truly unmistakable. It wasn't there before and they didn't mention it when they first test drove the car. I left my car, placed my key in their drop box and took the loaner back.
Because I have not worked on Volvo AWD cars, I wanted to ask knowledgeable people on this forum about this Viscous Coupler and the possibility of them damaging it or whacking it out of balance during reassembly of the transmission and axles. I also felt a vibration very near the driver's side floor pan..near my feet. My assumptions are based on my knowledge of working on BMW vehicles and cars/drivelines in general. I hope a few of you can give me some good information regarding this issue.
Thanks very much.
RD