2001 XC-70 Wagon Intermittant 90% loss of power, surging

logolg · Post by **logolg** » 24 May 2011, 16:48

My mechanic could not pull any codes at all from this. The car has been surging at idle for about six months. Now, usually while idling, it will start to shudder and the engine will only accelerate to 2,000 rpm. There isn't enough power to make the car go forward at all, but the engine runs smoothly, just without acceleration or power. Here is the strange part. If I turn the ignition off and start the car up again it will run just fine for miles, until this all happens again. It seems that in turning the engine off something is reversed, unlocked, unplugged that allows it to start up and run for a while. Vacuum, catalytic converter, fuel pump or relay? I need help with this one. Thanks

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 May 2011, 17:40

Probably the electronic throttle module - a common problem with 1999-2002 models. Check out the sub-forum Don's ETM room for all kinds of reading about similar issues.

logolg · Post by **logolg** » 24 May 2011, 18:11

Thanks for the tip, I will check out the suggested sub-forum Don's ETM room.

Post by **priapism** » 25 May 2011, 10:43

ETM fail. Probably under the extended warranty. The DIY solution is to pull it and clean the throttle body butterfly with carb cleaner. But it sounds like the unit has failed.

volvodoc · Post by **volvodoc** » 25 May 2011, 12:04

return to your dealer to ck for updated soft ware extended wro is ten years 200k and is based on date of delevry also a side note if the etm is to be replaced make sure the vaccume port under intake and line to the oil trap is not plugged cleaning of etms was done only as a temp fix till software was avail there are no seals on the throttle shaft and the cleaner can get inside the electronics of the etm and cause premature failure

z28chuck400hp · Post by **z28chuck400hp** » 26 May 2011, 22:24

had two similar problems with my 2001 v70 xc 2.4t...hit the gas hard one day and lost all power...went crazy testing everything...changing coil....car had gone into limp mode..car towed to volvo. and had the computer reflashed(there was a recall) only paid for towing..car ran great...few months later all kinds of problems...hunting for idle speed...low power.. air cond. cutting outfor a while...noticed the engine temp gauge was acting odd by reading hotter than normal to reading cooler than normal....took a shot at changing the thermal sensor on the thermostat housing....car runs great...bad sensor was lying to the computer...messed with fuel/air systems....caused all kinds of strange things...very hard to start sometimes... sensor was about $25.00 solved all problems...changed the thermostat while I wa there... good luck