REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE (Volvo V50 T5 - 2004)

[Isignorini]

I own a Volvo V50 T5 (2004) – a fantastic car - but it started showing warnings REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. When it happens, the car stalls out (motor works but no power) and the accelerator pedal does not longer react! After parking and restarting the car, it runned normally again - pretty scary, if not danger, if you are driving in a busy high-way!

I took the car to the local Volvo dealer, they read the computer - not finding any error codes – and they cleared the messages. In the same week, the problem appeared again…

I found various tips in Iternet, from recommending to fix/change the accelerator cable because it apparently comes loose (wiring touching metal and, therefore, generating short-circuit) to suggestions to replace the ECM system. Apparently the ECM has a warranty up to 80.000 km (my car has 75 thousand).

Also found comments that such problems could well be related to failure of ETM (Electronic Throttle module) system. The new units have replaced the throttle position sensor that wears out with a Digital Angle Sensor that has no moving parts to wear out.

But Volvo told me that ETM failure/problem does not affect the Volvo V50!

Any word of advice?!

[cubicub]

Sounds similar to my recent problem ( see my posting on 11/2/09) with my 2005 v50. Mine start sputtering at 75 mph, when I pulled over it read reduced engine performance and would barely idle and would not accelerate. Mine would not clear by restarting and was diagnosed as a broken wire in the wiring harness. Try to wiggle the harness while the car is running to recreate the problem. GOOD LUCK!!!!