01 xc70 Transmission failure?? Car will not move

**kevboy03** · 05-31-2015, 08:10 PM

Hi Guys

Just bought my pregnant wife a nice safe "reliable" car being the xc70. 2 days later the transmission failed. The car sounds like its going into gear, display shows it does, car sort of clunks but when you rev nothing happens. When the problem initially happened we were able to drive it about 50 - 60ft out of the traffic onto the side of the road albeit very slow.

Sometimes if you start the car and select drive it will drive just a little (few feet) bit but then stop, its almost like something is slipping. I have tried fluid replacement, but not flush. Plugged in a universal car code reader and am getting a P1618 code and P0740 code.

I knew the history of the transmission of these cars and factored that in when buying it. I bought a new transmission from a wreckers online but they have sent the wrong one and will not take it back so I am stuck with it. I have a 55-50sn but they have sent a 55-51sn.

Now I have no money left at all after buying this and the transmission. Do you think there is anything I could do between both transmissions to get a running car?

I should mention that I am in in Northern Australia with NO Volvo mechanics around

Thanks guys

**vtl** · 05-31-2015, 08:45 PM

Are there Toyota mechanics around? AW55 is basically a Toyota transmission. They may help with rebuilding your transmission (maybe even sourcing parts from the one you bought). P1618 is a communication error, you need a DiCE/VIDA setup to toss this problem out. XC70 is a good reliable car unless neglected.

Our 2002 V70 - then the only car in the family - once had a complete starter failure, while wife was 4 days over her due date. I replaced the starter at the street at night, and the next day she delivered

That was the only "oh f.ck!" problem with the car.

**howardc64** · 05-31-2015, 11:15 PM

Here is a list of cars that use this transmission and I believe they all had similar failure problems like these Volvos. Maybe you can find a Nissan or GM transmission rebuilder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisin_AF33_transmission

What is the mileage on the car? Might be worth replacing valvebody if mileage is not too far above 150k kms.

**kevboy03** · 05-31-2015, 11:50 PM

Car has 180k on it. I was thinking it may be worth removing the valvebody from the 55-51 and putting it in my 55-50 , does anyone know if this is possible and if so is it difficult?

If I cant do that I was maybe just going to swap over the solenoids and see what happens.

Any advice welcomed.

**howardc64** · 06-01-2015, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by kevboy03

Car has 180k on it. I was thinking it may be worth removing the valvebody from the 55-51 and putting it in my 55-50 , does anyone know if this is possible and if so is it difficult?

If I cant do that I was maybe just going to swap over the solenoids and see what happens.

Any advice welcomed.

You might give these guys a call to see about valvebody compatibility.

http://www.reamman.com/products/148-...aw55-51sn.aspx

I believe the linear solenoids are all compatible. New Rostra linear solenoids are $200 on ebay before shipping to AUS.

As for accessing the valvebody on the car, its a bit of work but not too bad if reasonably skilled around cars. Direction by astro14 is here http://www.volvoxc.com/0/resources/h...ment-Notes.pdf

I added a few added tips when I did a friend's VB.

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showth...862#post179862
http://www.freewebs.com/howardsvolvo....htm#949024197

A little alarming the car doesn't move at all. The usual valvebody problems on this car are flairs and harsh shifts. Usually occurs when ATF viscosity gets thinner when hot.

**kevboy03** · 06-01-2015, 12:22 AM

Thanks your input is much appreciated.

Yeah I am also worried it does not move, sometimes when started it will move just slightly though. I don't have the money for another transmission so wondering if it is even worth trying to replace the solenoids if this is not the "common" problem I am having.

**GearheadNY.com** · 06-01-2015, 09:02 AM

I had an issue like this (of my own doing) where i knocked a plug off a solenoid on the valve body when I was putting the pan back on. It doesn't take much to have these transmissions (or any other transmission) stop working.

**howardc64** · 06-03-2015, 01:15 PM

An update for those interested...

On the 01 V70XC with 60k miles rebuilt tranny (changed the radiator at the same time as tranny) that doesn't go into gear. Called level10 transmission and spoke to someone that sees and rebuilds 25-30 AW55-50s per week. I mentioned the high fluid level at engine idle and why I suspected the pump. He asked... does the car move if let it set for awhile and gets real cold? I said yes and he said its not the pump... filters are clogged and when that happens, all the friction materials burns up... He said replacing the valvebody (a few filter screens inside) might keep it running for a little while but will die again.

Not sure this is OPs problem but just an update on the no shift AW55-50 I've been helping to diagnose for future references.

**JRL** · 06-01-2015, 02:38 PM

The solenoid is for shifting
I'm afraid that if nothing moves that it's a lot more serious than solenoids

**2002V70XC** · 06-01-2015, 07:16 PM

I read somewhere that its doable (replacing the 55-50sn with 55-51sn) but at the shop level not DIY. I think you better talk to some trans shops to get quotes (for labour) and to confirm if they can swap them. Since you already bought a used trans, you should look at swapping the trans instead of replacing the valve body. The wrecker sounds dodgy so i'm not sure if they sold you a good unit or one with problems.
If you decide to swap the trans, you should at least replace the solenoids on the used trans or do a complete valve body rebuild.
The other option is to dump/sell/trade-in the car because you haven't spent much money on it.