Volvo V40 check engine light & up arrow--new transmission?

Re: 2000 Volvo V40 Turbo wagon 132,000 mi.



We’ve had the check engine and up arrow recurring for several months. When they come on the power of the engine is reduced. We have taken it to a Volvo specialist mechanic, and they have replaced transmission sensors and serviced the transmission. Now they say they’ve run out of options, and the only thing they can do now is replace the transmission.



It’s been driven responsibly and maintained constantly. Isn’t it a bit soon to have to replace the transmission?



-Dan

That CEL (check engine light) is just a kid in class waving her hand trying to get you attention because she has the answer. You need to have the codes read. Some places will read them for FREE. Try Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts. Get the exact code (like P0123) not just their translation into English and post it back here.

The transmission is changing into cripple mode (hence the reduced power - you get nothing but second gear) because the computer is detecting that the transmission is not doing what it is supposed to be doing. It is supposed to be for getting the car to a garage.

There could be one part somewhere in the transmission that is malfunctioning. This is not unusual in a newer transmission. I once had the first speed overrun clutch in a Turbo Hydra-Matic go bad in a 4-year-old car, because the temperature was -30F, and it just broke when the car was shifted into drive.