|
|
|
I'm looking for a used replacement transmission for the AW30-40/43LE unit in my '96 965. The salvage yards list the same interchange part # for all 960 transmissions: 400-59809B. However, some recyclers also say that the torque converter used pre-96 is different than the one on 96-97 transmissions. My goal is to get a tranny that's an exact swap for my car and its control module. Does anyone know whether transmissions from other model year cars will work in a '96?
|
|
-
|
|
|
Dear analogdad,
Hope you're well. Volvo VADIS - a superseded dealer parts/service database - likely has the information you seek. Your car's transmission likely has a dataplate, which provides the transmission's model number. The dataplate may also have a Volvo part number.
With a Volvo part number, I can find on which other cars - 960s, S/V 90s - that specific tranny was installed. You can then ask salvge yards to match your car's Volvo transmission part number to the Volvo part number on trannies in their inventory. As part number match is the best way to ensure an exact swap.
Even without a Volvo part number from the tranny's dataplate, the model designation can be useful. VADIS often has "notes", which specify the chassis number, on which a part was installed. As improved parts arrived on the production line, records were kept to show the last chassis (car) on which a "first edition" part was installed and the first chassis (car) on which a "second dition" part was installed.
I do not know on which side of the transmission - passenger or driver - this dataplate is mounted. If you can't get under the car - or if having done so, you can't find a transmission dataplate - so advise.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
|
|
-
|
|
|
Hi Spook,
Is the VADIS database available online? I've never been able to get into it.
I'll get my part # off that plate this week when I change the motor oil. While I'm underneath, also gonna give my tranny another chance and drain and change it's fluid one more time.
However, I'm interested in interchangeability among different part numbers. That's because, I'd like to find as low a mileage transmission as possible and therefore want to consider as many years of 960 transmissions as will work. For example, there's a 20K tranny advertised on eBay for a '95. That would be nice to use in my car - if it would work.
I posted this Q on Matthews Volvo Site and received this response:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=86948&e=1&view=unread#unread
Cheers,
John
|
|
-
|
|
|
Dear analogdad,
Hope you're well. I bought a "surplus" copy of Volvo VADIS about a decade ago. As it has been superseded, there are no updates. That's not much of an issue for cars close to 25 years old.
With Aisin-Warner transmissions, the best way to refresh the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is to use the procedure in the FAQs. This involves disconnecting the upper ATF pipe to the in-radiator ATF cooler, turning on the engine, which causes the tranny to pump-out the used fluid.
Collect the used ATF into a gallon milk carton. As old fluid is pumped-out, pour in fresh fluid. I do this a quart at a time. I use 12 quarts for each flush. The system holds 9 quarts, if memory serves.
Dropping the pan is easier on the trannies used in 960s and S/V 90s, than it is on 940s. Even so, a flush is still needed to remove most of the old ATF.
I'd use Wal-Mart ATF for the first flush. If tranny function improves, go for 1,000 miles (1,500 Km) and then re-flush with Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF or equivalent. The 1,000 miles of travel will help to loosen any "crud".
Based on years of reading Brickboard posts, Aisin-Warner trannies rarely fail, presuming ATF is flushed regularly (say, every 50K miles). A flush usually restores proper function.
Once I know the part number (if any), I can identify the models in which that tranny was used. Generally, if Volvo has different part numbers, it is for a reason, i.e., part updated, new part supplier, etc.
The link did not allow access the Matthews Volvo Site.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
|
|
-
|
|
|
Appreciate your interest, Spook.
I'm against the flush procedure you describe, having damaged my radiator/tranny cooler when attempting it last year*. So I drain it at the pan 4 qts. at a time. Last drained 1500 miles ago, the fluid was pretty dark and smelly when I drained it today. Replaced with conventional Castrol ATF. We'll see how well it runs in the next few days.
I obtained the following numbers from the tranny label:
T95MR86800
P1208786
The second number looks similar to the numbers on some of the factory Volvo parts Internet sites.
Thanks again for your advice!
* On a 940 you can access the lines to the cooler where they connect to the transmission case and disconnect them to follow your procedure. On a 960, These lines are very hard to get to.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Dear analogdad,
Hope you're well. A post-mortem on a 940 Nissen radiator, showed that the in-radiator automatic transmission fluid (ATF) cooler, could not be damaged by the flush procedure. The cooler consists of a heavy-duty, foot-long, hollow-core, double-wall copper tube, with nipples brazed to the outer tube's wall at the top and bottom.
ATF flows into the cooler tube at the top and flows out (towards the tranmssion) via the bottom nipple. The cooler tube is secured to the radiator side-tank's outer wall by two hex nuts. Those should be held with a wrench, while the ATF coolant pipe fitting (15mm wrench) is loosened.
Turning the coolant pipe's 15mm hex fittings, without holding the radiator nipple's hex nuts will not damage the cooler itself, unless a huge amount of force is used, as might be needed if a coolant pipe's hex fitting is thoroughly corroded.
All this said, the on-radiator ATF coolant pipe connectors on a radiator that fits in a 960 are of a format different from that used on 940s, so the above statements may be inapplicable.
As to transmission interchangeability, Part #1208786 is not found in Volvo VADIS - a superseded Volvo dealer parts/service data base for 960s. For transmissions, the following parts are found: 1208745, 1208770, 5003743 and 5003980. The first two have "expired" i.e., they are no longer available from Volvo. Do not despair
A part number that begins with "500" is a factory-supplied rebuild. Transmission #5003980 is available from a Volvo dealer. This part - according to VADIS - will fit in 1995 and later 960s and all S/V 90s. The cost - at a US-based Volvo dealer - is about $3,700.
As to torque converters, a factory-rebuilt transmission (#5003980) includes part #9143121, which torque converter is separately available from a US-based Volvo dealer for about $1,650.
From all of this I conclude that a transmission from any 1995 or later 960, or from any S/V 90, should fit in your car.
To be sure, consult a Volvo dealer's parts department. Supply Part #5003980 and ask them in which models this transmission can be installed. A parts expert should be able to answer that question authoritatively. No dealer wants to order a transmission that does not fit, as the dealer will likely be "stuck" with that part.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
|
|
-
|
|
|
Thanks Spook. Interesting that there is no reference to the part # I found on my tranny.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Dear analogdad,
Hope you're well. The factory-installed tranny needed a part number. I suspect Volvo wanted to be able to differentiate between that unit, and post-production units. So, there was no reason to put the factory-installed part number into VADIS, as a dealer - needing a replacement tranny - would need the number for the post-production part.
BTW, not flushing ATF for 130K miles isn't wonderful, but is not likely to have done any long-term damage. The Aisin-Warner trannies seem to be very durable, even if the ATF isn't changed, unless the car: (a) lives in very hilly terrain and/or (b) lives in the tropics and/or (c) is used for towing a lot. These three conditions can stress a transmission and so the ATF.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
|
|
-
|
|
|
The TC question came up in a FB group for these cars and further investigation concluded that there were not two different torque converters. I have a spare 96 and a 97 transmission and the plates are the same.
I used Valvoline Max Life in mine starting with a line flush at 54K and then every 30K or so after that. Red to brownish seems to happen at around 30K for me. The Walmart synthetic has the same spec as Valvoline and I have used it fir the last 3 flushes on my cars. That was more due to what the store had on the shelf at the time.
I'm just finishing an engine/trans swap in my V90 and just did a static fill of 4 quarts of Valvoline. The lines are empty but the TC is full. I did drop the pan and put in a new WIX filter and cleaned the pan. I'll add to the stick level after initial circulation.
|
|
-
|
|
|
Thanks for info. Bob. It's a real shame that Volvo did not advise owners to change the trans fluid on these cars - as they had on the 900 and 200 series. My car was always serviced at a Volvo dealer, so no fluid change before 130K.
|
|
|
|
|
