Volvo S60 transmission hard shifting 2 to 3

[naelec]

My VOLVO S60T5 2001 has 75000m
My transmission was working fine until yesterday morning.
First cold day of the year! When starting the car, I get now a very rough shifting from 2 to 3 !!!!! The balance is ok....no slipping also!
I check the oil level ok .The oil is a bit dirty ( I was thinking to replace it for a while now!!!). But Volvo said lifetime oil !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Replace it only if you have problems!!!!!!!!
Anyway it could not be that causing this problem so suddenly!!!
I disconnected the battery for few hours and reconnect it back... (to try to check if it is not the TCM sofware causing that)...
The 2 to 3 hard shifting still there but it seems to be a little bit softer....
Volvo dealer can only check my transmission software in 2 weeks....
So , I need your expertise!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks in advance

 

[Mr Nice]

Does your trans have a drain plug ?

If so, my first action would be to do mutiple drain / refills with the correct ATF to get some fresh fluid in there ASAP !!!

There is no way in ***** that ATF is a 'lifetime' fluid.

 

[Eddie]

My first action would let Volvo do their testing.

 

[Tones]

What year is this? Software upgrade if an earlier model. Also check your top motor mount. If it fails, it could be putting things in a bind during hard acceleration.

 

[rg200amp]

Some transmissions do have life time fluid in them. My M3 had a seal transmission. I could not change the fluid if I wanted to.

I do agree LT4vette, If theres a drain plug, drain that fluid and do some refills. Then restart the battery and see where you stand.

Worse case is you have knocked off one possabilty and know have new fluid in the trans

 

[Fredric_Flod]

These cars are known to have B4 servo cover failure.
Part #30651771

You need to check if you are within these chassis numbers
062000-152000 notice these are approximate to be sure you need to check the transmission serial number, the first 3 digits of the serial number on the affected transmissions will be between 01C (March 2001) and 01L (December 2001).

Fault symptoms include 2-3 up shift flare/slip, harsh 2-3 up shifts, 3-4 up shift flare/slip, harsh 4-3 downshifts.

The AW 55 has a drain plug and a dip stick so fluid change is simple.

Volvo says to not use any other fluid than JWS 3309.

Redline D4 in my car resulted in slightly firmer shifts and converter lock-up,
I prefer this over the Volvo #1161540 or Mobil 3309 fluid.

I could not tell any difference between the Volvo fluid and the Mobil 3309.

If you have never updated the software make sure that you load the latest one, this makes a big difference in how the transmission behaves.

After the software it is imperative that the adaptation parameters are reset and a complete adaptation drive cycle is performed.

And like Tones said check the top and lower Torque/motor mounts.

Volvo recommends using 16 quarts to flush the transmission.

 

[Tones]

I am using the Amsoil ATF and it loves it.

 

[naelec]

Thanks a lot to all of you...Great help...I am going this morning to flush my ATF..I do have a drain plug....
I will let you know the results...

 

[mechtech2]

Fredric made an awesome post - just wonderfully specific.
But does the hard shifting go away when things are good and warmed up?

 

[naelec]

Thanks to all of you for your help and Fredric in particular......
My transmission serial number start with 01E.....
I'd just finish my flush.....
It improves a bit (all is smoother) but I still get the 2-3 non-smooth shifting !
Now my last chance will be a software upgrade!!
Do you think I could add something in the oil also?

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: naelec
Thanks to all of you for your help and Fredric in particular......
My transmission serial number start with 01E.....
I'd just finish my flush.....
It improves a bit (all is smoother) but I still get the 2-3 non-smooth shifting !
Now my last chance will be a software upgrade!!
Do you think I could add something in the oil also?



I would not add anything to the trans fluid.

just a high quality trans fluid is all you need.