Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (Dr_Perhaps)

Quote, originally posted by Dr_Perhaps »

Does anyone have any thoughts about what might be going on? I plan on calling them first thing tomorrow morning.

The Service department replaced the cable and did not properly adjust the cable or the cable is binding somewhere. You need to go back and have them fix their mistake.

Doug H

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (Dr_Perhaps)

I lost 2, 4, and somtimes 6 on mine and it turned out to be the cables. Just wouldn't go into gear......Ok now.

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (RhaRdeR)

340 mi, Shifter starting to buzz a bit. Does this happen gradually?

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (Dr_Perhaps)

Here is the Volvo Tech-Notes Service Bulletin:

Quote, originally posted by Mac in Bulletins and Upgrades thread »

NO: 43-40 CHASSIS: S60R -339793, V70R -371774 SUBJECT: Buzzing Noise from M66 Shifter, S60R / V70R DESCRIPTION: Some customers may complain of a "Buzzing" noise from the manual shift lever in S60R / V70R cars. The noise is most easily heard when accelerating at high engine RPM (3000 RPM and higher). Applying light pressure to the shifter by hand will make the noise disappear. SERVICE: Replace the shifter cable assembly according to the procedure in VADIS. Place the transmission and shifter in the Neutral position and adjust the cable according to VADIS. A mis-adjusted cable can result in the Reverse Lock-Out Solenoid blocking 5th and 6th gear instead of Reverse while the car is in motion. Verify that the gear shifter functions properly and that the buzzing noise has been remedied.

Perhaps you should print this and make them look up the Tech-Notes bulletin #43-40 to have it adjusted correctly

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (mac)

Not getting sixth gear is actually an adjustment with the shift selector. There is a solenoid that locks out reverse while the car is in motion. That's why you can select any gear when the car is stopped. In your case, the solenoid locked out sixth and reverse. Take the car back and let the service tech adjust it.
My car buzzed on third and fifth gears with moderate load at 2500RPM. I took my car in three times and the problem still wasn't fixed. Then on the forth, I let them have the car for a week and they were able to fix it. Its perfect now. No buzzing what so ever.
The problem can be fixed. Its up to the dealer on the amount of time they want to spend adjusting various components.

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (mac)

Quote, originally posted by mac »

Here is the Volvo Tech-Notes Service Bulletin: Perhaps you should print this and make them look up the Tech-Notes bulletin #43-40 to have it adjusted correctly

I think they did look this up (it's listed on the work order). So there isn't a knowledge problem, just an ability problem...

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (Dr_Perhaps)

I had this same problem in August. It was fixed right away when the Volvo tech positioned the cable correctly ... and I have had no trouble with it since.

 

Thanks for all the comments. It's back at the dealership...hopefully they get it right this time.

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (Dr_Perhaps)

Quote, originally posted by Dr_Perhaps »

I think they did look this up (it's listed on the work order). So there isn't a knowledge problem, just an ability problem...

No skills...

Request the Volvo Master Tech or ask if any mechanics have gone to R Training, so you don't have to waste anymore of your time.

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (mac)

I hope I am not showing an 'attitude', since I had to go with the Geartronic transmission. Let us not forget that the engine is transversely mounted, which means that the shifter mechanism has to rely on cables, and cannot be as precise as a front engine/rear drive shifter. Is there a general impression regarding the crispness of the shifter? I would expect it to be less than excellent, given the extremely limited number of manual transmission that Volvo builds and sells here.
Call me a snob, but my 'other' car is a Honda S2000 roadster. They only come with 6 speed manual transmissions, and the shifter is acknowledged to be exceptionally sharp, except for a bit of notchiness on the 2-3 shift. Given the very limited production and the all new 6 speed transmission, S60 R owners might reasonably expect a few shift quality problems. For the record, the 2000 - 2001 Honda S2000 owners did have some clutch and shifter problems, much improved for my 2002 model year vehicle.

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (jelliotlevy)

I find the 6MT to be pretty damn good shifter-wise....

BTW: not all tranverse engine cars have cable shifters....

 

Re: From buzzing shifter to buzzing shifter and no 6th gear (JimLill)

I find the shifter to be quite good.
JRL

 

Similar problem....

I went in for the buzzing shifter and when I was driving home from the dealer (picked up after hours) I couldn't get into 5th or 6th. On the second attempt to fix it the dealer called volvo and they told them to use some sort of wire tie to quell the persistent vibration and although it is better than it was it still doesn't reliabily go into 5th and now feels like it doesn't go all the way into 1/3/5 like the cable is too tight. It is definitely related to the lock out because I could see the reverse lights go on when I try to get 5th (at night in my driveway).

The dealer has been very apologetic and I believe them when they say they will get it right. The service manager went for a ride with me and ordered a new set of cables and has the regional tech guy in on Tuesday for try number three. Only good news is my snow tire pkg arrived and will go on before any of the white stuff flies here in CT.

Keep the faith.

Stan the "R" Man

 

Re: Similar problem.... (Stan the "R" Man)

I had my buzz eliminated last summer or so I thought. Took the car in last week for service and told them the buzz was still there. They told me I needed a cable tie to elimiante the buzz. Good news. Buzz at 3500 rpm in 3rd and 5th are gone. Bad news. Now I have a buzz in 5th at 2500 rpm.

 

Re: Similar problem.... (upbull340)

Went to my dealer yesterday to enquire about the fix for the buzzing shifter (5th gear - 2500rpm). The resident R 'expert' told me that they were aware of the problem but that the current fix from Volvo is only a temporary one.

It seems that the problem is due to the cable losing grease. The current cables are round and the original amount of grease in them were not sufficient and tend to leak out. The current replacements are the same except with more grease in them. However the buzzing will return after a while. The manufacturer for the cables are working on a new design - 'square cables?' to try and eliminate the problem. Apparently these new cables will also be used in the new S40s.

Well, the point that he was driving at was that if I could live with the buzzing a while longer, then wait for the new cables.

 

Re: Similar problem....

Latest update:

They fixed the no 6th gear problem and the buzzing seems to be gone. One oddity though: 5th and 6th gear now feel "farther" over when shifting. I'm going to live with it for a few days before I decide to have them make another adjustment. It doesn't really bother me because I don't care about making speed 4th-5th shifts.

Also, last trip they replaced my squealing brake pads...with the same pads

...so they have the new pads on order. I knew these kinds of problems would exist with the first model year...but they are aggregavating nontheless (especially because it's a 30 minute drive (one way) to the dealership).

 

Re: Similar problem.... (Dr_Perhaps)

The new style, (hopefully non squeak), rear pads are on national back order.
I'm been waiting impatiently for mine for a month.
JRL

 

Re: Similar problem.... (JRL)

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

The new style, (hopefully non squeak), rear pads are on national back order. I'm been waiting impatiently for mine for a month. JRL

My dealer claims the new pads will be in in a week or two...

 

Re: Similar problem.... (Dr_Perhaps)

Quote, originally posted by Dr_Perhaps »

Latest update: I knew these kinds of problems would exist with the first model year...but they are aggregavating nontheless

Go check out the B6 S4 forum on audiworld.com. They're estimating that about 30% of the delivered cars have had catastrophic failures of the engine, transmission, or both. Some cars have been out of service for over 30 days waiting for parts. I took delivery of a new BMW two weeks ago. The all-window auto-up function only works on three of the four windows. The dealer also screwed up the initialization of BMW Assist. My V70R came from the factory without the fuel cross-over pump connected and almost stranded me 500 miles from home. You know what? Cars break. They're mass-assembled with thousands of parts and a percentage of those parts fail. I had two Acura's, the pinnacle of Japanese quality, they broke too. The standard to which we on this board hold Volvo is unrealistic. We didn't buy Maybachs - we bought the high-end version of a mass produced sedan and wagon that can be purchased for $30K.

 

Re: Similar problem.... (BarryH)

Quote, originally posted by BarryH »

Go check out the B6 S4 forum on audiworld.com. They're estimating that about 30% of the delivered cars have had catastrophic failures of the engine, transmission, or both. Some cars have been out of service for over 30 days waiting for parts. I took delivery of a new BMW two weeks ago. The all-window auto-up function only works on three of the four windows. The dealer also screwed up the initialization of BMW Assist. My V70R came from the factory without the fuel cross-over pump connected and almost stranded me 500 miles from home. You know what? Cars break. They're mass-assembled with thousands of parts and a percentage of those parts fail. I had two Acura's, the pinnacle of Japanese quality, they broke too. The standard to which we on this board hold Volvo is unrealistic. We didn't buy Maybachs - we bought the high-end version of a mass produced sedan and wagon that can be purchased for $30K.

I don't think it's unrealistic to expect vehicles to perform as advertised. I recognize that they are complex machines, but it does get to be a bit much. Yes, all cars have problems, but some have more than others. One only has to look at the many different indices of quality to realize that Volvo has some work to do.

Notwithstanding that, I bought my car with both eyes open. I knew it was a complex, first model year vehicle and that Volvo doesn't have the highest quality levels. I still enjoy my car greatly. But this does not excuse the problems that occur. I understand it but don't accept it (and I wouldn't think Volvo would either).

 

Re: Similar problem.... (Dr_Perhaps)

Quote, originally posted by Dr_Perhaps »

I don't think it's unrealistic to expect vehicles to perform as advertised. .

Agreed... the problem is I have yet to see a marque that isn't plagued with something. There are cars whose less complex model tend to approach worry-free but beyond that every manufacturer seems to have their share of these things.

 

Re: Similar problem.... (Dr_Perhaps)

Quote, originally posted by Dr_Perhaps »

I understand it but don't accept it (and I wouldn't think Volvo would either).

How much of this is Volvo and how much the dealer? Any new model will have these 1st run gremlins. Volvo was certainly pretty quick to get on top of the shifter issue. However, as demonstrated by all the cars delivered with the shipping spacers, there seems to be a RTFM issue at the dealers. I conclude that other problems are tainted by the same thing. It seems that some dealers assign their best service guys to "service for profit" and let the newbie guys handle PDI and new delivery follow-up.

 

Re: Similar problem.... (JimLill)

Quote, originally posted by JimLill »

How much of this is Volvo and how much the dealer? Any new model will have these 1st run gremlins. Volvo was certainly pretty quick to get on top of the shifter issue. However, as demonstrated by all the cars delivered with the shipping spacers, there seems to be a RTFM issue at the dealers. I conclude that other problems are tainted by the same thing. It seems that some dealers assign their best service guys to "service for profit" and let the newbie guys handle PDI and new delivery follow-up.

I agree that many of these kinds of problems stem from the dealership experience. I am always amazed by how much I have to follow up with them to get details on my car. It's maddening. I know that dealers are independent businesses, but why does Lexus generally have such outstanding service (and Saturn for that matter) whereas other "premium" dealers struggle so much?