Why Were Gen 1 AWD Systems so Delicate?

There are a few different systems. Gen 1 that is the 850 platform is the delicate one. Gen 2 2001-2002 XC70 is less so but still needs care. All others since then are very low in problems other than a pressure/temp sensor that has been updated. The front drive connection to rear drive is via wavy discs splined alternately to input and output with a silicone gel, viscous coupling, VC. There is also a one way clutch in the VC that is overridden up to approx 30 mph so you can have power to rear wheels in reverse. Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Tires for Smooth Ride – S60 2.4T
2. Bevel Gear Maintenance on 1997-2002 Volvo AWD Cars
3. PCV System Repair on a Volvo 5-cylinder

Restore Faded Trim w/ Heatgun

Warm weather has arrived so today I pulled out my $9.99 heat gun (on sale at Harbor Freight) and went to work. The side trim pieces are adjacent to metal on the door panels, so basic care is sufficient. The bumper trim, however, is adjacent to plastic so I used a thin metal bracket as a heat shield. In the photos below I am holding the heat shield along the bottom edge, then holding the heat shield to guard the top edge. Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Sagging Bumper Fix for V70 and S60 Volvos
2. Restore Sun-Faded Tail Lights
3. Repairing the roof/windshield trim

2001+ XC70 and V70 Windshield Washer Pump Fix w/ Pics

My pump had two outlets on it - most aftermarket pumps have only one. I'm not sure where the second line goes, so I purchased a Volvo original with the two outlets. This is a good time to remove the T junction and extra tubing for the headlight washers which are most likely no longer working. Plug in the pump and test. Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Instructions w/pics: Changing Timing Belt/Water Pump/Tensioner
2. S80, 2001+ V70, XC70, S60 Oil & Filter Change Tutorial
3. No Brakes When Cold, Volvo V70

1999+ Head on a 1993-1998 Block?

Head gasket sealer facts and suggestions, and much more Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Timing Belt: Determine Which Tensioner You Need
2. 850 Turbo Timing Belt, Water Pump Replacement Marathon
3. V70 GLT 1998 drive axle removal

Considering Air Shocks: 850 Turbo

If you can find the air shocks and decide to install them I like to know how it rides. I thought about how to raise the front and back of my 98 S70 T5 because I see a lot of … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Nivomat Shocks Explained
2. C70 1999 Rear Shocks & Mounts Tutorial
3. Struts and Shocks Poll

Questions on 2001 Transmission Failure

Within the chassis range, the first 3 digits of the serial number on the affected transmissions are between 01C (March 2001) and 01L (December 2001). IPD suggests a software update (regent noted above) before replacing the B4 Servo Cover. We … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Another 2001 Auto Transmission Sad Story
2. New Guy With a Few Questions (2001 V70 T5)
3. V70 XC (2001) How Can a Programming Update Break Everything?

How to Fix a Broken Signal Arm

A week ago my car's turn signal arm broke off. I ordered a part from Volvo Wholesale (which I found to be the cheapest site.) It cost me $80 for the unit, (because I had cruise control, which most people do). Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Turn signal, hazard lights fix
2. S80 Turn Signal Fuse Numbers
3. Adjust Your Hood Resting Height

What do Relays Do?

What do Relays Do? A typical dash mounted switch is physically small and cannot connect to a large diameter wire so they run small wires. If you try to run small wires to the fog lights, they won’t be able … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. How to Upgrade Switches to LED Bulbs
2. 940 1993 Stop Lights Do Not Work
3. Dashboard Mount Repair

850 Wagon & V70 Ownership Overview & Buyer’s Guide

Good 850 wagon and V70 ownership overview and buyer’s guide. “I plan on being the only mechanic that works on the car, so if there is a cutoff year when I will need proprietary software interface or whatnot, I would … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Volvo Wagon or Mercedes Wagon?
2. Replacing 850 wagon rear shocks DIY tutorial
3. 850 / V70 Wagon Tail Light Polishing

Troubleshooting 2001 and 2002 Auto Transmissions

Neutral control bump is the result of the pulsed solenoids getting bore wear and the pulsed signal outputted by TCM is not really getting the pressure regulation desired. There is no pressure sensor so the TCM infers pressure through its adaptive shift control, i.e., if the shift is completed within the target time with X% solenoid signal then .5X% should be the right signal to reduce clutch apply pressure to let it slip during N control and not have slam engagement when brake is released. With worn solenoid or valve body spool valve bores the pressure with that reduced signal is not what is inferred via software. Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Another 2001 Auto Transmission Sad Story
2. ALL 2001 trannies eventually go bad, they’re junk?
3. New Guy With a Few Questions (2001 V70 T5)

Charcoal Canister, Fuel Pressure Regulator, Purge Valve, P0440

All about the intricate relationship between these elements of your Volvo: EVAP codes, Charcoal Canister, fuel trim, and three way unit with pressure regulator. Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Fuel Pressure Regulator
2. EVAP purge valve
3. How to Test and Repair your EVAP Valve

Innova OBD-II Code Readers on Sale

MVS sponsor and parts retailer eEuroparts is chopping $15 and $20 off select Innova DTC code readers. Whoo! These are decidedly more advanced than my cheap (but basically effective) Autel Maxiscan code reader. Like… light years more advanced. Save $20 on the 3150b from … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Volvo Diagnostic Code Lookup
2. 960 Transmission shift prob, blinking up arrow, code P0500
3. Volvo S70: Code P0171 and White Smoke

GE Nighthawk Platinum Headlight Bulbs $19

GE 9006NHP/BP2 Nighthawk Platinum Headlight Bulbs (Low Beam), Pack of 2 $18.99 UPDATE: they’re back to their usual $30, ugh I have no firsthand experience with these, only Sylvania Silverstars, which I’ve found to be perfectly adequate. They’re about $30 … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. New Headlight Bulbs – Worth Every Penny
2. Headlight Bulbs and E-Code (European) Lenses
3. Improve Volvo Headlights

Make Lemonade from a ’99 S80

“Well after the passing of my beloved 850 T5, I purchased an 1999 S80. Now I know this wasn’t exactly the championship year for this car but my father bought it on impulse so I gotta make lemonade. What are … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Volvo XC90 Transmission Problems
2. Rear Camshaft Seal Replacement
3. How To Check For Leaking Fuel Injector

Add Hood (Bonnet) Emergency Cable

I recently pulled my hood release... and disaster. Nothing happened. It turned out I was lucky: the crimp on the end pulled off, so I was still able to open the hood with pliars. I couldn't get a replacement cable in good time, so instead just crimped a new end on the old cable. Obviously I'm worried about how weak it might be getting, so decided to add "emergency" opening cables which are accessible from outside the hood. Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Hood Release Cable Replacement
2. Sticking kickdown cable?
3. 850 E-brake Cable Replacement: How To

EVAP purge valve

I ended up buying a similar Bosch purge valve but it was from an older Volvo, The connectors was designed not to fit the 95 850 Turbo so I just cut the offending plastic off and it clicked right in and the engine check light has been off for 4 weeks after 500 miles. Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. How to Test and Repair your EVAP Valve
2. 2004 XC90 – Frozen throttle valve?
3. J-Hose Repair Tutorial w/ pics — EVAP Emission Hose

Damaged Threads of Oil Drain Plug

1. Is 22ft-lbs tight enough to let it slide for awhile (monitoring for the oil leaks, of course)? 2. Is this a fix you would trust to a machine shop? 3. Find a used oil pan? Just how difficult is … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Unclog the Evaporator Drain (A/C)
2. Drain on Battery 1997 850 GLT
3. Spark Plug Change: A How To

Speakers: Aftermarket, Ohms, Resistors, and More

Door speakers, dash speakers, new replacement Polk/Infinity/Pioneer speakers, plus Volvo OEM amps and 20-watt 8-ohm resistors… Is your head spinning yet? Making sense of how to upgrade or replace bad speakers. New speakers Related posts: Replacing Speakers: A Complete Guide … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Replacing Speakers: A Complete Guide
2. HU-615 to aftermarket Head Unit: Volvo V40
3. Door speakers on 850 blown. How to Replace?

Replace Control Arm Bushings

I need to replace the control arm bushings. I asked a guy for an estimate and he said ‘upper? lower? inner? outer? front or rear?’ really… I wont be going back to that guy but I need to know what … Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Any special tools needed to replace control arms?
2. Belt chirps no more – replace auxiliary belts and alternator bushings
3. Replacement Tips: Control Arm, Hubs and Tie Rod Replacement

Diagnosing Bad Engine Mounts

The RPM are 840 on both "N" and "D", however when I throw it on the "N", the sound goes away.I tried, having it on "D" and holding the brakes, to raise RPM to about 1100, and that is when the noise is most evident.The best described it is a very low intensity roar and slight vibration. Continue reading →

Matthews Volvo Site - Volvo Forum, DIY Repairs & Performance Tutorials - Helping Owners Since 2001

1. Polyurethane upper engine mount gave extreme vibration
2. Replace Upper Engine Mount w/ Polyurethane Bushing
3. How to Push in the Rubber OEM Engine Mounts