27 replies to this topic

[BlackBrick]

97 Volvo 850 GLT with 125,000 miles or so.

Have been hearing a groan from the transmission for the last year when in gear, but shifted fine, and plenty of power. Torque converter noise I was told. I decided to put some AutoRX into it three months ago and see if that helps, nothing to lose. It also has one of those inline magnetic filters from IPD.

About a month ago, the groan went away. But today a clicking sound comes and goes from the transmission. From what I've read, that's the torque converter stator. The transmission still shifts fine, and seems to have full power. (I haven't changed the fluid since putting in the AutoRX 3 months ago)

As a last resort, I'm going to flush the transmission and put synthetic into it this weekend, and remove the inline magnetic filter (could be clogged with the junk the AutoRX cleaned?) I'm hoping I can nurse this transmission on some more (I only put 5,000 miles a year on it), because the rest of the car is in great condition. I would want to put a rebuilt transmission into it so I can keep running her for another 5-10 years for my daughter when she turns 16, but I'm assuming this would cost $2-3,000, so I'd like to postpone that day as long as possible.

Anybody have similar issues? Any advice? Thanks!

[the commissar!]

I can't speak to the noises your tranny is making but...

There is only one option I'm aware of for a rebuilt transmission and it is high performance and expensive: not necessary for a 16-year old girl to drive for a DD. Get a warrantied used unit for way less and if you can stomach, it put it in yourself. You can be out the door for <~$500 including all new seals fluid etc... Add 500-700 to pay your typical garage to install it for you.

[BlackBrick]

wow, you mean no factory rebuilds the Aisin Warner transmission for these cars?!?!

I would have to pay someone to install the transmission. When you say a warrantied used transmission with new seals, you mean new seals in the transmission? That's a rebuild, isn't it?

oh wait...you mean the seals between the engine/transmission, right.

[the commissar!]

yea sorry for the confusion, there is not a rebuild kit available unless one came about recently. The seals you want to replace are the rear main on the engine and the input shaft on the tranny and the two axle seals. The trannys on these cars are generally very strong, especially on stock cars driven by old people (no offense intended to anyone...I'd qualify as one in most eyes here) so the used market has lots of decent examples available and you could likely get a good deal on one from a VS'er doing a manual swap.

[BlackBrick]

thanks for the advice...you are right, these transmissions are strong. But I was reluctant when I bought this 850 8 years ago...awesome condition on the whole, but the transmission fluid was a little brown, and the car had been driven in San Francisco since new (all those hills must be tough on the transmission!). I flushed the fluid about 4 times already, and used synthetic. If I do need to replace it, at least I got 8 years out of it.

If I can't nurse it much longer, I'll search around the Seattle area for a used one. I assume the torque converter usually comes attached? If anybody here at VS can advise a good place to do the swap...I have an excellent Volvo mechanic, but he charges top price. I assume a good transmission place that knows volvo's would be cheaper for the labor.

[BlackBrick]

oh, online i saw rebuilt Volvo 850 transmissions going for $1700, plus a $500 core deposit. Whoa!

[the commissar!]

if they claim it is rebuilt and it is not one of those performance ones proceed with caution

[BlackBrick]

i'm def going used...at 5,000 miles a year, I only need 50000 miles out of the transmission. Thanks!

[Hanks]

lucky also has tunes for auto transmissions that will increase the lifespan.

[Keaton85]

I really don't think it's the torque convertor, that VERY VERY rare to fail. Extremely simple units that are not prone to failure in the least bit.

I would run it until it dies if it's really even the issues in the first place.

[Brant]

I agree with delete, but if you're sure it's the torque converter and your tranny is still shifting fine, why not just replace the converter? You can do all the seals with the tranny removed for that job and save some money (not in labor, but in parts). I am sure it wouldn't be hard to find a good used one.

Or will a failed torque converter mess with your tranny?

[BlackBrick]

ok, the dreaded check engine light and arrow light came on today, and the shifting is starting to get funny. This is in addition to the noise.

The reason i thought it was the torque converter, the noise over the last year was coming from the transmission, and could only be heard in drive and reverse (at idle, and while driving, mainly during load). All engine mounts looked good.

I am going to flush it and see what happens, and then add some Lucas fix as a second option. Third option, put a used transmission into it. Doh!

[heat391]

Rebuild Kits:

https://www.wittrans...earchTerm=50-40

[Keaton85]

see what the codes are! that will give you a good indication of what is going on. They wont be stored on the ECU, only the TCU. So either Vol-FCR or the dealer will be able to get those codes, not a regular scanner.

I wouldnt bother with fluid changed at this point unless the code comes back with a PNP switch issue.

[BlackBrick]

will try to do that tomorrow...the other new thing, when shutting down the car, a loud noise like a whirring noise coming to a stop is apparent.

[BlackBrick]

got a code! P0740...torque converter clutch solenoid circuit. Will investigate.

Also, as I did a transmission flush (3 gallons via the radiator inlet cooler line) I noticed that the groaning noise went away when the transmission was 2-3 quarts low, but came back when the transmission was full. What i originally thought was the torque converter, i now suspect the tranmission fluid pump. ?

The car is now shifting fine, and drives fine, both while cold and hot, though i still get strange groaning or clicking noises sometimes. I still suspect the transmission, but wonder if a bad solenoid could cause noises?

thanks for any help.

[BlackBrick]

drove it today, the car shudders when backing up/going forward from a stop. shifts ok 80% of the time, but after running it on the freeway for 5 minutes, got off and had a loss of power on the streets, engine revved but no power. Shut down for 2 minutes, and then it ran fine for about 1 minute before the same loss of power.

Also got the P0740 code again...torque converter solenoid.

I'm beginning to wonder if just this solenoid could be the base of my problems? ANybody else have similar issues and this is all they had to do to fix it?

I know automatic transmissions ain't that sexy, but hopefully i'll get a response. ;-)

[jablackburn]

I had one of the shift solenoids go out, and it would only work in 3rd gear "limp" mode for 3 days. Magically, one day it was shifting just fine again until it went out with a bang and back into limp mode.

Before that, it would randomly drop out of 4th gear going down hills.

I guess my point is, a bad solenoid can definitely do some weird things. Replacing them is a real pain, but it took me about 6-7 hours of work over the course of a few days - mainly just to get to the screws from underneath the car to get the solenoid cover off.

[the commissar!]

 heat391, on 06 January 2012 - 12:39 AM, said:

Rebuild Kits:

https://www.wittrans...earchTerm=50-40

Great news for those in need...

At those prices, since I can swap my own, I'd still take my chance on a used one with a warranty or from a VS'er doing a manual swap with a known good one. Just did my 305,000 mile oil change Sunday and (knock on wood)...the original tranny is still hanging tough.

...and auto transmissions are plenty sexy BlackBrick! It is all perspective and intended use. If I were going to track the car I would head down that swap out road but for a dd and family hauler when the Tahoe is too much "car", it is perfectly FUN to drive.

[BlackBrick]

I change my transmission fluid on both my 850s (thru the coolant hose with 3 gallons and IPD's hose) every 15,000 miles, and use DextronIII equivalent non-synthetic. What do you do to keep your tranny in good shape?!

found a trans at Aurora Wreckage (great place in the NW if you need Volvo parts!) in Seattle with only 118,000 miles which was written off from an accident. Did a VIN check, nice local tranny with good CARFAX results. $300. Wish me luck!!!

Unfortunately, i cannot do a trannie swap, so am having to pay a garage big bucks to do the labor. Am doing the trans seals and RMS too while in there. Wish me extra luck!