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OBD Code - What to do? S40-V40 2003

posted by  DougW on  Sun Apr 27 10:23 CST 2025
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last visit: Sat Mar 29 14:15 CST 2014
[RELATED]

My car is a 2003 S40 that I have had for more than a few years, and it has been a very good car and fun to drive.

The "Check Engine" light has come on and it points to the electronics having to do with the transmission. I will try to attach an image file of the OBD code. I only have a very budget model but maybe it can still help.

It says "Transmission Control System" and assigns a Severity level of 2 or 3. Can anyone advise? Should I worry? A shop that has done various things has suggested I should let them figure it out, but i want preliminary opinions so far and maybe save some money. I am pinching every penny I can since COVID crushed by business and this is my only source of transportation.

Thanks a million guys...Doug







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    posted by  someone claiming to be on  Wed Dec 31 18:00 CST 1969 [RELATED]


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    posted by  someone claiming to be on  Wed Dec 31 18:00 CST 1969 [RELATED]


    If it points to the transmission control system it could be any number of things. Dirty fluid, bad shift solenoid, worn out wiring, failing sensor etc. Do you have any transmission issues now?

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      posted by  someone claiming to be on  Wed Dec 31 18:00 CST 1969 [RELATED]

      The transmission appears to shift smoothly and but one thing I have noticed is when I drive the car over a dip in the roadway, I will brake to avoid bottoming out and scraping the chin in the front of the car. When I get back on the gas a bit, the transmission feels like it's out in the void. Make sense? Then it recovers. I don't do jackrabbit starts or any kind of "peel out" acceleration.

      What is more, I can't find a shop invoice that shows any work or any flush and fill. The car has 179,000 on it.

      Reactions? Opinions? Doug



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        posted by  someone claiming to be on  Wed Dec 31 18:00 CST 1969 [RELATED]


        As Bill suggested, try a flush and refill. Do that first before jumping to any conclusions. You can flush it with a cheap ATF to save money. Then refill it with the Volvo recommended ATF. Preferably synthetic - Although I’m guessing with a 2003, Volvo probably recommends using synthetic anyway….

        There a good chance a flush and refill will clear the check engine light. If not, then you can investigate the codes further. I don’t know any tranny specific codes. At this point you or your shop are going to need to dive into it further.

        --
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    posted by  someone claiming to be on  Wed Dec 31 18:00 CST 1969 [RELATED]

    Hi Doug,

    Check the level of transmission fluid and the color.
    If should be red and not brown or black when it's gone past the time to flush it.

    Bill


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