Hi.

I just bought a 1996 V40 2.0 and I am very pleased with it.

Four questions:

1. When shifting first gear, sometimes the gear stalls and I cannot shift it. Most of the time I retry and then I feel a slight ' bump' under the car just before it accepts first gear. Could it be motor management ? The other shifts are without any problem. Is this normal? I notice that one out of four times the gear stalls when I am stopped and want to shift into the first gear. There is no way forcing it into first, but gently pulling back into neutral, clutching a bit and shifting it again to gear one solves this issue. When I gently push it to gear one, the 'bumpy' sounds reminds me that the gearbox is accepting first gear. It is no real problem allthough I want to find out whether this is damaging the gearbox in the long run.

2. When I turn the ignition, the check for the fuel empty lamp fires up. I guess this is a test like it does for all control lamps. But I drove my car into the red zone last night and the lamp did not light.

I stopped at a gasstation and filled up 56 liters. So 4 liters were left in the tank. Not much! Is this a malfunction ?

3. Can anybody say something about the software which can be loaded unto the motor for this V40 version ?

4. Are there any thing I should ask to check (like known problems with this september 1996 car) when I have the car serviced next time ?

Thanks for your support!

Ray Arts.

The Netherlands.

Ray, don't worry, you're not damaging the gearbox. What you have is just regular clutch and synchromesh wear in the gearbox. It isn't worn out. My own V40 has less than 12,000 miles and is not yet 1 year old, but sometimes first gear makes a small 'bump' when engaged. It maybe a good idea to drain the gearbox oil and fill with fresh stuff when you get it serviced, this should help.

The fuel light problem must be because the sensor in the tank is not calibrated right. The tank holds 60 litres, so do not rely on it!

Okay, so probably this is not something to worry about too much. But still I think first gear stalls too often, but I will let the oil check at the next service stop.

And about the fuel level and indicator I just can say one thing:

T(h)ank you :)

Ray.