Jump to content
Volvospeed Forums

Rostra Solenoid upgrade problems


jubilatio

Recommended Posts

I am kind of stuck in the middle of a tranny swap gone bad.  I bought a 2002 V70 2.4T FWD that had a bad AW55-50SN tranny, and I planned to move the good tranny from my wife's 2002 V70 2.3 T5, which had suffered a failed cylinder.  I installed a new set of Rostra updated SLT, SLS, and SLU solenoids on a bench which full access to all the electrical connections and fasteners before installing the good tranny on my wife's "new" 2002 V70 2.4T.  I drilled access holes in the oil pan so I could adjust them per the Rostra instructions.  The holes are plugged between adjustments.  This was on a transmission that was working well before it was installed.  It seems no matter how far I unscrew the SLT, I get a bang when shifting from 2 to 3.  And I get another bump when it downshifts from 3 back to 2.  I have not touched the SLS or SLU from the factory setting.  I was planning on getting the solenoids adjusted perfectly this way, then installing an intact oil pan from my bad tranny.  But I am getting nowhere fast.  I followed some YouTube instructions of Hiram Guitierez and plugged an oil pressure gauge into the pressure port, and it was around 90psi, and it would not reduce when unscrewing the SLT.  I have no idea why it was not closer to 5psi.  I am a shade tree mechanic, I do not have a VIDA computer diagnostics tool.  Any ideas on where I should go from here?  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Per Scott at Rostra I unscrewed the SLT too far.  I looked in there with a mirror, the adjustment screw is GONE.  I am lowering the subframe in front and pulling the oil pan this morning to install a new factory SLT solenoid, start all over.  But this time I am not going to tap into the oil pressure port and follow the bad advice of Hiram Guitierez on YouTube.  It is amazing sometimes how much bad information is posted on the internet.  I tried to post to his video to explain that his procedure is not adequate for a Volvo V70 and my comment was deleted.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, jubilatio said:

Per Scott at Rostra I unscrewed the SLT too far.  I looked in there with a mirror, the adjustment screw is GONE.  I am lowering the subframe in front and pulling the oil pan this morning to install a new factory SLT solenoid, start all over.  But this time I am not going to tap into the oil pressure port and follow the bad advice of Hiram Guitierez on YouTube.  It is amazing sometimes how much bad information is posted on the internet.  I tried to post to his video to explain that his procedure is not adequate for a Volvo V70 and my comment was deleted.  

Make sure yo find the lost screw, make a video with your way of fixing and post;it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Success!  With a new SLT installed, I was able to adjust it just about 7 clicks in to get the 2-3 flare under control.  The screw from the previous SLT was in the oil pan, and the spring and clip were still in the bore, so at least I did not FOD the tranny.  Lowering the subframe in front really made this easy.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So your flare is under control? Now I DO want to know what your final pressure is. From the Rostra factory mine was set around 2-3psi. I am still flaring and have mine currently set to 7psi and to get there it was one full rotation clockwise from the Rostra OEM setting. The flare is still horrible but the trans has adapted and now and then I get pretty close to perfect. I am wondering if I should ditch the gauge and start cranking in the solenoid till the flare stops. Just not sure. 

 

Short video before making any adjustment

th_176238D2-80DE-48FE-9F26-FD999A9FE398_

 

Current setting

7B6F863A-5126-4B0A-80CD-37AFD09A6AC9_zps

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To: Ihatespeedbumps and boxpin:

I installed a new Rostra SLT rather than try to recalibrate the one that came apart.  It was $50 plus shipping from TransStar, delivered right to my doorstep.

With the new SLT installed, I took the V70 on several test drives.  I think overall I "clicked" the SLT clockwise about 7 times, totally got rid of the flare.  With this setting I was almost tempted to call it done.  However, the 2-3 shift was great when cold, but as it warmed up it became aggressive.  So I backed off 2 clicks.  This setting is really good, very slight 2-3 flare, but I think the 2-3 grunt shift means I need to back the SLS out a few clicks. 

So at lunch today I am going to click the SLT clockwise 1 click, and the SLS counter-clockwise 2 clicks.  My SLU appears to be perfect without adjustment as my overdrive lockup occurs right around 60 MPH, which seems fine.  I can do this on a lift at the Base auto hobby shop. 

Note on plugs:  I have the kloodgey thrice drilled oil pan with rubber plugs, the type that have a stainless allenbolt in the center which squeezes the rubber as it is tightened.  I found that the rubber plug for the SLT has already came apart.  I luckily had a Heyco piggyback plug on hand to cork it with, appears to be holding.  This just confirms that once I am done adjusting I need to install my extra completely intact oil pan so I do not have a catastrophic oil leak on the highway in the near future.  Especially since this is my wife's car, she may not pay attention to transmission error messages as they occur.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have pulled my pan on off 4 times. At #3 I drilled and installed the expansion plugs. Thought I was done until I decided a week later to do some more adjusting. The rubber plug had become oil saturated and fell apart so off the pan came for a 4th time. I got tired of it and picked up some nuts and bolts from Home Depot and brazed them onto the pan. This was super simple, cost $4 and is permanent. I really think people need to be warned that these plugs are not going to hold. 

6FA51D62-B54D-4961-B3A4-04312E3D6743_zps

EA31B416-1A43-4E91-B4AE-22940BDE8DE5_zps

I turned the SLT a half turn before I put it back together this last time. The flare is close and often times if i am easy on the throttle its a perfect shift. I do see a difference between warm and cold shifting too. More adjusting to come. Thanks for the detailed description of what you have done. It helps a lot. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...