posted by
someone claiming to be Matt S.
on
Wed Nov 2 15:03 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
Hi,
Cruising at 65K on interstate Sunday night and the check engine light (CEL) comes on at EXACTLY 80,030 on the odometer. No other probs, messages, errors, etc. Quick check of the manual shows that an emissions system issue may be the problem and I should get my mechanic to check at earliest convenience.
Decide to head to the garage at lunchtime the next day and have it checked. WRONG! On the way to work Monday, the odometer hits EXACTLY 80,060 and "Performance Reduced" appears on the dashboard display. The computer governs the engine, preventing me from exceeding 2000 RPM. Cannot go faster than 20MPH. Have to pull over and stop as the engine begins skipping and running rough. Stranded.
Get towed on a flat bed to the garage. ($65). Bum a ride to/from work so mechanic has time to diagnose/repair.
Code P0128 on the OBD. Mechanic replaces the thermostat, clears the codes, and road tests. I get him to change the oil (synthetic) while there. ($131)
Pick up the car on Tuesday afternoon, its running great. No problems, but now I have a "Bad Position Light" all of a sudden.
Wednesday night coming home from work. "Performance Reduced" appears again. Have to pull over and stop. Same thing: running rough, skipping, can't exceed 2000RPM, engine stalls out. Call mechanic and tell him I'm going to limp in the couple of miles to his garage.
Start up the car. No longer displaying "Performance Reduced". Mileage is EXACTLY 80,120. Now display has two messages: "Engine System Service Required" and "Engine System Service Urgent". However, the car is running fantastic and I can make it to the garage in no time flat; no performance issues.
Mechanic slaps on the OBD reader and gets P0121B and P1609 now. He was thinking the throttle body may be dirty or bad, but did not get any ETS messages on the display.
Came to Brick Board tonight and cannot find any hits on these codes.
OK, you super sleuths, any idea what we're dealing with??
2001 V70 T5 80,120 miles
|
|
-
|
|
|
Sounds like the dreaded ETM. Check out this site...all of this is true by the way: www.vexedvolvo.org
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be bj
on
Thu Nov 3 15:55 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
yeah, like Mazda, MB, Beemers, etc dont have problems, include Subaru, heck include all of them!
|
|
-
|
|
|
This ETM crapping out business is getting a bit scary. Making me think twice about a 2001 and up Volvo. Why didn't they just stay with the cable attached to the throttle body? Low tech, but at least it works. It figures the thing would break AFTER the warranty runs out. Mazda 6 is looking pretty darn good these days.
|
|
-
|
|
|
'02's and later model Volvo's haven't seen this issue. I would just avoid the years from '99-'01 and you'll be fine (my $.02).
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Matt S
on
Fri Nov 4 14:23 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
Yep,
It WAS the dreaded ETM. So, $1037 later, I'm back on the road. But don't forget, I've already spent $65 on towing, $130 on the thermostat repair, (have to subtract the value of the oil change), $1037 on the ETM replacement, and $78 on two days of car rental. I'm $1255 lighter!
Geez, I suddenly realized, I bought the Volvo name and reputation, but didn't get a Volvo car!
I did speak with two Volvo dealers in our area, but had my Indy do the job. Also called Volvo America today. Boy, that was an eye opener.
Thanks to the first poster who told me to check out www.vexedvolvo.org He is right on.
--Matt
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be koza
on
Mon Nov 21 01:53 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
could you elaborate on "eye opener"; what folfo of america told you ? spin, spin, spin ?
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Matt S
on
Tue Nov 22 11:59 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
Well, whoever steered me to www.vexedvolvo.org was right on! That site has all of the scoop re: this issue.
I filed a formal complaint with NHTSA Monday morning. I have spoke with Volvo America twice on the issue.
Latest news is that they are planning to reimburse owners who had the ETM replaced. Here is what they told me:
I was told that I "should receive a letter within the next two weeks". They verified my VIN and my address and "flagged" my account to make sure I get the letter.
They said that since I already had the ETM replaced by an Indy that I would need to file a claim with Volvo America directly. They would be writing a reimbursement check. No need to go to the dealer.
I asked about the reliability of the replacement part ("Is this the same part that came with the vehicle, or has the original problem been fixed?") and they said I would have to check with the dealership on that. They (Volvo Customer Care) could not provide any "technical information".
They also said "a software upgrade was coming in Spring 2006 for the ETM".
I spoke to them the week my Indy had replaced the ETM and this is what the dealership and Volvo America said in those first conversations:
The dealer denied any ETM problem even exists with the vehicle line, they denied that a problem is widely or publicly known, or that NHTSA was even investigating anything related to the ETM.
Their service dept. took a defensive posture when I said up front that I needed an ETM replacement and requested a quote. Oh yeah, I also requested cost assistance with the repair up front too.
They said "How could you possibly know if the ETM is bad?". And, "We've had to replace a few, but there is no wide spread problem". I cited the codes that were read off my car's I/F and they shut up. They did not offer cost assistance at all, only to perform the job at a premium price. I got it done by an Independent repair shop.
Volvo America at least acknowledged that the problems that had been reported to NHTSA were under investigation. Furthermore, they stated that they hoped a resolution was coming soon. They also encouraged me to get the work done at a dealer. When I asked about recalls or compensation, they encouraged me to save all my receipts.
What about towing and rental car expenses? They said, "that is why you should be a member of the Volvo road side assistance program". Give me a break.
What was especially disturbing was that they bad mouthed Indies in general and said no cost assistance would ever be available for any work done through an Indie. I reminded them that my Indie uses genuine Volvo parts and that a Volvo dealer tech downloaded and programmed the firmware at the Indie's garage. And the Volvo tech also diagnosed/inspected the repair with his VADIS. Oh yeah, and I paid Volvo a fee for this service as part of my Indie's bill.
How can Volvo hire out a tech to an Indy and then say that they cannot be responsible for the repairs?
Reimbursement was indeed mentioned as a future possibility, but that it would not come directly from Volvo America; it would be available only via the dealer.
I encourage all owners to go to www.vexedvolvo.org and despite the fact that Volvo is making postive moves towards reimbursement, DO NOT WAIT. File a formal complaint at NHTSA and call Volvo Customer Care and ask them what that status is. The more pressure, the better outcome for all Volvo owners.
|
|
-
|
|
|
I'm glad my information helped you. Good luck and please post back about your experience after getting the letter. I hope that Volvo treats everyone right concerning THEIR very poor design (although built for them by Magneta Mareli) and the reimbursement for its repair.
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.
|
|
-
|
|
|
If it's not too late, have your mechanic save the old ETM. VEXED wants it for further testing.
Call NTHSB, this is an open item with them and they need more input from Volvo owners.
Don't bother with the Volvo Club Of America, they don't want to hear any negative thing about Volvo.
By the way, your "new" ETM will fail at about 110K miles.
Klaus
--
(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)
|
|
-
|
|
|
Klaus...now, now....you can't say that with any certainty....it may fail at 110K, yes, or it might fail in the next 10-20K miles or it may be good for a long time....the problem is that he'll never know until the surging and bucking of the accelerator begins again, or it might just simply suddenly die. Mike, was it? Save your receipts from your indy. Save your receipt for the software download too. If the Highway Saftey Dept. forced Volvo to recall and pay up, you'll wish you had these handy.
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Matt S.
on
Fri Nov 11 08:57 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
OK Boys. Put on your War Paint!!!
I've kept all my receipts and my ETM too.
Ready to file a formal complaint with NHTSA.
Already called Volvo America and put them on notice. They advised me that they will be closing the NHTSA investigation soon (hopefully) and that I should save my receipts. A recall is likely.
I'm going to continue to press for reimbursement. I feel they should cover everything.
Here's the kicker though: They told me that I did a stupid thing by have an Indy perform the repair. In other words, and this is straight from Volvo's mouth, you may qualify for reimbursement of repairs even if there is not a recall. If you can demonstrate that you have maintained my Volvo using genuine Volvo parts, according to the recommended Volvo maintenance schedule, at a Volvo dealer, then you may qualify for something called "Cost Assistance" for major repairs. (In my book, AKA "Hidden Warranty")
The customer service rep said that because the work was done at an Indy, that I would unlikely qualify for "Cost Assistance". I downright blistered when he said this and took him to task. I mean, I'm using genuine VOLVO parts at a qualified NADA mechanic shop and VOLVO tech came on site to re-flash the prom and run VADIS on the unit!!!!
I bet the NADA and NHTSA would be interested to hear this bit of info too.
|
|
-
|
|
|
There are laws against big car companies doing this to you. Let them know of the Magnuson-Moss Waranty law which specifically prohibits them from denying warranty services to you for exactly what you've done. I believe there are heavy penalties for them if they do actually deny you warranty service. Here's a link to the law:
http://www.enjoythedrive.com/content/?id=8128
Anyway, there is a recall coming...check this out:
http://forums.swedespeed.com/zeropost?cmd=tshow&id=48799
You'll get it...your indy's certified and has used real Volvo parts.
Smile and send everything to them when Volvo makes the above official!
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.
|
|
-
posted by
someone claiming to be Matt S
on
Mon Nov 21 01:42 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
|
|
Well, after seeing some stuff over at www.swedespeed.com about this and viewing www.vexedvolvo.org, I am in a slow burn.
Filed my formal complaint with www.NHTSA.dot.gov
Encourage any Volvo owner w/ an ETM failure to do the same!!
|
|
|
|
|
