Automatic gearbox troubles

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 7:17 pm

Anyone has a a suggestion, or better still, a solution here??
My 1990 ES automatic got a "new" automatic box in June. Was perfect until two weeks ago. Then shifting between 3 and 4 caused a short noise and became a bit rough. Kick-down was adjusted by a Volvo mechanic and everything was OK again. Now suddenly only the first and fourth gear are still in use. The 2nd and 3rd are skipped each time. No reverse and surprise (!) it is even impossible to back the car by hand: the wheels are blocked. We had to jack it up to leave the parking ground.

Any (useful

) comment is very welcome.

Jan

volvofox · Post by **volvofox** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:12 pm

if the box is blocked it is either in gear, or ther is something between the gears......!!!

drain the oil... look for steel chips. if so, get back to the garage where you bought the (2nd) hand box and chat a little "assertive" with em.

I think building in an handshiftable, if the car for the rest is worthwhile, is not much more trouble than building in a new auto box. (get your selves a complete scraper and exchange parts, then return it !)

I have good experience with "CARREC" branch of specialized gearbox revision firms. Look in the yellow pages for a shop near you.

They were even cheaper as the scrapper, and gave me a perfect, specially adapted box for my turbo with a warranty !!!

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:41 pm

@fox:

the box itself is not blocked, you can put it in Reverse, but it won't drive and the wheels are blocked too: it is impossible to turn the wheels, even when the car has been lifted off the ground.

I would prefer too keep it as an automatic. but indeed it might be an idea. I used to drive a 740 automatic and even at more than 320.000 it was perfect. No registration problems??

Jan

martinholmesuk · Post by **martinholmesuk** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 8:44 pm

Hmm,

I'd change gear oil 1st like vf said and check for broken bits.
What it new new or new to you?

Fix the auto box and your away again.

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:11 pm

Hi,

The box was new to the car, but not new. (do they still exist new??)It was supposed to be good, from an "official srapyard". Already got the suggestion that there must have been dirt somewhere in it. The oil still looks and smells good. I hope to know more after the weekend.

Jan

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 9:16 pm

The oil still looks and smells good.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm oil!!

Ernie · Post by **Ernie** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 8:13 am

Sorry to hear about your auto gearbox problems. I've been there too after about 160K km. Not sure if it is true, but I was once told by a mechanic that the ZF box in the 480 has a lifespan of about 130-160K km. So take a look at the counter, maybe it is just time for a change (of ATF or ZF).

Because, if you have troubles with an auto gearbox there is not much you can do yourself. The best options to fix it are:
1- change the ATF (automatic transmissin fluid) first, this is cheap and it may help you. If this does not solve anything you should ...
2- empty your wallet and get the auto gearbox revised by a transmission specialist (not the scrapper!). I would never mount a used one from the scrapyard that was not revised, since you do not know the time/distance that is was used before. Besides that, for a revised auto gearbox you get at least half a year guarantee. (I can recommand Ganzeboom in Almelo)

good luck!

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:34 pm

@ John:

mmm, I said useful remarks!

I prefer beer to TF indeed!

Jan

Bramdeman · Post by **Bramdeman** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:39 pm

automatic gearbox oil does smell yummie its the stickshift oil that stinks

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Fri Sep 10, 2004 10:41 pm

@ Ernie.

194000 km's. But still considering the consequences and the alternatives. Nice topic for the weekend. Monday I'll ask around for prices as I don't have the ability nor the possibility and time to repair it myself.
I also have an 850 so transport itself is no problem.

Anyone who wants to buy it????

Jan

Bramdeman · Post by **Bramdeman** » Sat Sep 11, 2004 9:21 am

The whole car you mean ? i might! You have some more info & pics ?

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:53 pm

Bramdeman wrote:The whole car you mean ? i might! You have some more info & pics ?

Spoke to some mechanics this weekend, I'am afraid the hobby is a bit expensive.

I still hope to find a solution to get the car rolling without too much damage to my bankaccount.

Jan

Ettore Bugatti · Post by **Ettore Bugatti** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 8:46 pm

Ernie wrote:Sorry to hear about your auto gearbox problems. I've been there too after about 160K km. Not sure if it is true, but I was once told by a mechanic that the ZF box in the 480 has a lifespan of about 130-160K km. So take a look at the counter, maybe it is just time for a change (of ATF or ZF).

Because, if you have troubles with an auto gearbox there is not much you can do yourself. The best options to fix it are:
1- change the ATF (automatic transmissin fluid) first, this is cheap and it may help you. If this does not solve anything you should ...
2- empty your wallet and get the auto gearbox revised by a transmission specialist (not the scrapper!). I would never mount a used one from the scrapyard that was not revised, since you do not know the time/distance that is was used before. Besides that, for a revised auto gearbox you get at least half a year guarantee. (I can recommand Ganzeboom in Almelo)

good luck!

Well then all automatics in the 400-series are good for trouble. The CVT (High Tech Automatic) in the 440/460 doesn't have a longer life as the ZF they also breaks around 150.000 km.
Was your oil level (of the gearbox) OK?
I believe Kingrichy has some experience on autoboxes. Try search some threads of him.

Succes!

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Sun Sep 26, 2004 3:08 pm

Hello mr Bugatti,

Oil was ok and is still ok. Shifting gears and the reverse are a problem. Nevertheless serious problems indeed. Asking around these days gave me the same answers you mentioned: the CVT automatic in newer 400 series is also a problem. According to some, even worse than the usual ZF!
Because I owned a 740 automatic from 140 Kkm till nearly 330 Kkm I thought a ZF box in a 480 would also be Ok. That was before I bought the car and it was doing allright for quite some time.
Because the car is from 1990 and I need someone else to repair it, money versus real value of the car is an issue. It might be wiser to take a loss now and sell it or use it for spare parts.

I'll call the firm you mentioned.

Jan