Service Issues: S60 Transmission Service Required

[Bristoldoug]

Hi all,

Im hoping someone can help me with the following.

I inherited a Volvo S60 today from a family member.
Its a 2004 2.0t SE Petrol Automatic.
89000 miles
It has a full Volvo service history.

On driving the car home it was fine until pulling away from a set of traffic lights when it seemed to race in first or second gear before changing up and then behaving normally again. At this point the 'warning light' popped up with the 'Transmission Service Required' message and also the icon that looks like an engine.

A quick check on google says best case a transmission fluid change required - worst case new gearbox (which would not be cost effective at all).
I also saw mention of a software update that can be done to aid the issue?

Family member reports he had not seen either of these lights. I was given the car so am sure that is the case and its just my bad luck that it has happened.

So im in need of advice please.

Take to a Volvo dealer or Independant for a proper diagnosis?
Any recommendations in Bristol area?
Best case scenario what will a fluid change cost me?
What will the software update cost me?

Any thoughts or advice much appreciated.

Regards

Jim

[RM955I]

How handy are you with the spanners? You only need the most basic level of ability to do this yourself.

There are 2 methods (the mods should make this one a 'sticky'!)....'sump dump' and 'Gibbons method': the former is easiest. All you need to do is drop the contents of the sump, measure carefully what you've taken out and then refill using the same quantity of new JWS3309 spec oil (if AW50/55). Opie oils do Millermatic ATF SPiii which is used by a few, me included, but the more anal insist on Volvo fluid for only reasons they understand. 5 lts of SPiii costs about 35 quid depending on any Opie offers at the time.

I'm assuming yours has the aw50/55 box (5sp) so ONLY refill via the dipstick with a suitable funnel - Halfords do an orange flexi funnel which is a perfect fit.

You will need to do this a few hundred miles apart, ideally 3 or 4 times - if you do a lot of miles like me, I left it 500-1000 miles apart. Personally I would do the ATF before spending on software updates: these are a bone of contention as some insist it is essential/mandatory and other have experienced problems after the update. I have never had mine done - I bought the car at 88k, it now has 118k and it shifts just fine.

[jgjones095]

i had the same thing happen to me after buying my 2001 v70xc volvo

my box locked in limp mode and drove in 3rd.
once switched off and the car cooled it drive fine.

I had no choice but then this happened to me I was on the other side of the country preparing to drive home, so had to find the local Volvo dealership to see what they could do.

They updated the software and recommended a fluid change.
I needed to leave so couldnt take the change.
Fluid change from volvo is around £200+
The software was £75

I also asked them to check the levels but was then told that there was no way to check the level on the gearbox.
Little did I know at the time there was a dipstick level.
This explains why I don't trust dealerships monkeys!

Anyway, when the car was cold is was ok, but the longer / hotter it got the worse it got.
Still lasted the drive home. (mostly motorway cursing in 5th)

however over time it got worse again and flared badly, so I knew I needed to change the fluid.
The message also returned. however a code reader allows me to clear the message, but the problem stills exists.

are there any other symptoms you are experiencing?
Flaring - when shifting say from 2 - 3 the revs increase slightly
Clunks - when dropping from say 3-2


First check I'd do is gearbox fluid level / check there are no leaks under the car.
Also check the condition of all the gearbox mounts.

Anyway as RMI says if you are handy with a spanner is it easy to change the fluid yourself and save ££!
Plenty of guides online.
make sure you get the correct spec fluid.
I'd also recommend fitting an external filter.

[Sej]

I don’t know of or have used any independents in the Bristol area, but from my own experience I do recommend authorised Volvo dealer MRG who are in Chippenham (SN14 OGX)

When I first got my S60 last January it needed a 96K service so I took it to City Motors at St Phillips, I also asked them to change the auto transmission fluid and they said it would cost around £50, the invoice line has the following text for this and I’ve grouped them into brackets:

(V01161640) (120699/TRANSMISION) (Qty 1.00) (Unit Price 47.40) (Unit EACH 12.00) (Net Total 41.72)

[Bristoldoug]

Thanks for all the replies.

I managed to check the Automatic Transmission fluid state and level. I would say its light brown/red in colour but it was above the HOT level when checked after leaving overnight - i.e cold engine.

Seems I would be best draining and starting from scratch perhaps?

Assuming that a drain and refill fixes the issue (I live in hope) is it ok to drive with the warning light on - or does this need to be cleared to resolve the issues completely?

[RM955I]

Originally Posted by Bristoldoug

I would say its light brown/red in colour but it was above the HOT level when checked after leaving overnight - i.e cold engine.

If it looks light brown/red on the dipstick (with just the thinnest of coatings on a yellow backgroud!), the ATF is probably black if you drop it and look at it in a glass!

sounds like it's over-full - not good. I'd drop the sump and then refill minus 1ltr, adjusting as neccessary

[Amanda71]

Please do advise....
Car drives absolutely smooth. Had to take quick trip to vet and on slow down to turn suddenly it was like she had a hiccup gearing down. Third time this has happened. Now I want to do sumpdump of gearbox as it makes sense to change the oil at intervals as the gearbox works as hard as the engine. Problem though this one doesnt have a dipstick to even check the levels. My mechanic says there is no plug next to drain plug to check as apparently that is how it has to be done. I may not get in under my car anymore so have to rely on others information.
How do I do a sumpdump on her and how do I ensure the levels are correct. Only just bought her so I need to ensure everything is 100%.

[Simmy]

there are different types of gear box with different ways of checking levels take a good look for the dipstick under some hoses its yellow to help you find it if you dont have it your gearbox is the latter type

[Georgeandkira]

To Amanda71: Congrats on your recent S60 purchase.
1) How many miles were on it when you got it?

2) If you no longer 'wrench', I suggest asking around for a honest mechanic would be time well spent.

3) While there are several acceptable fluids for these units, I've noticed that using real Volvo ATF or Aisin T-IV fluid resulted in softer/smoother shifts.
I've refreshed enough trannie fluid to feel confident in my assessment.

[Amanda71]

We use kms so she has 182700kms on odometer. Apparently that is like 115 000 plus some change.
Yes got to another mech he advised oil needed aboit a pint. Did that. The hiccup is much better but today returning from a trip for chronics it happened twice on speed up to overtake a truck. Feels like she hesitates before engaging the gear when its needed suddenly. Otherwise she drives as smooth as the 2001 model I had and dearly loved.
Promise you I will never again drive anything other than Volvo. 🤣