Dealership says Not the ETM

willdot · Post by **willdot** » 10 May 2010, 16:51

1999 S80 T6, I've had the camshaft replaced, all the O2 sensors replaced, and the ETM(electronic throttle module) replaced in a 1 month span-all this work was done and paid for out of pocket to my recommended Volvo dealership. I've missed the recall on the ETM from being deployed over seas- so my S80 is at 153,000 right now, and its still not 100%, which I dont expect it to be, but theres no way in the world that a car is supposed to just shut off while going 75 MPH, or stall out at a stop sign or traffic light, or even stall out while taking a curve, I wont settle for that. The dealer is telling me they don't know what else the problem could be. If anyone is having a similar problem or just has any advice for me, please dont hesitate to respond. At the dealership, if you tell me what a problem is, and charge me to fix it,I expect it to be fixed when I pull off the lot, not driving like she never had an oil change. I'm located in the tri-state area-you might even recommend a certain dealershp I should try....anyway...love hurts...and I love my T6

jbrown122 · Post by **jbrown122** » 10 May 2010, 19:26

Maybe a faulty fuel pump or fuel pump relay, fuel filter.
I'm assuming that the plugs, air filter, etc are all good?

Post by **JDS60R** » 10 May 2010, 20:40

I agree with the original poster.

This is time for the break out box . This device sits inline and can montitor the inputs/outputs of the computer when the events occur.

If it is dying at highway speed then you are loosing fuel or spark .

When a car like this needs diagnostics you need a break out box or some LED'S . I have wired cars so that I have an LED for the ignition positive, an led for the ignition gound signals, an led for the pump/s and led's for the injector/s.

This way I can watch them when I drive.

A case like this usually comes down to the ignition turning off. It does this as it has lost a sensor reading at the crank or cams or both. Sure I have seen an occasional bad MAF but its rare.

These are the hard ones to diagnose - hope you find it soon.

willdot · Post by **willdot** » 10 May 2010, 21:42

@jb-thanks for the insight-I'm not that much of a mechanic-but the fuel pump and all its associates sounds like they could be the next item on the list for this trouble shooting process-the plugs,air filter etc all were replaced for my 150,000 mi service-and I'm starting to think if any of that stuff ever got replaced to began with, since I dont have time to sit and wait for anything more than an oil change-its always a drop-off-thanks-@JD-and I will definitely request a check ofuel and spark-but i'm not into too many custom modifications, uma factory kinda-guy-

Post by **JDS60R** » 10 May 2010, 23:03

I wire up the LED's inside the cabin as a diagnostic tool. They are definately something that gets taken out when I find the issue causing the stall. I guess its a diagnostic mod but a temporary one.

I use the LED's as I can't afford Volvo's break out box which does the same thing as the LED's with a very cool computer attached. They have you drive with it and an onboard hard drive records the last 5+ minutes of driving data going through the computer. When you stall you press a button and it tells the computer to save the last 5 minutes. Then when you get back to the dealer they know exactly which system (ignition, fuel etc) turned off casuing the stall.

My theory is that when you have some way to monitor the systems that are causing the stall, at the time of the stall, you can see which LED is not lit. The LED that is off shows your problem. Then you can fix the issue without having to replace extra items.

If it doesn't get fixed ask the service manager if you can drive with the break out box installed. I assume this happens pretty often . Does it start right back up after it stalls?

willdot · Post by **willdot** » 11 May 2010, 11:45

only once did she not start up on the initial key turn after stalling-at that time-i was on the highway-coasting around 50-60 mph was prolly the reason-i dropped her in nutrual and tried to maintain the steering-being it goes when theres no power to the vehicle-thats the only time i know of-i dont let anybody else drive except the dealer mechanics-every other time-she starts right up-she's currently in the shop now-i will recommend driving with the break out box-thanks @JD-
ps.my loaner is a 2010 @60-feels too small in the inside-and everythings plastic and cheap leather-little less than smooth ride-good handling and great acceleration-just a heads up-