Rough idle and CEL

Post by **mom** » 25 Mar 2006, 06:41

Hi everybody,

2 months ago I got a Check Engine Light on, codes were ECM-261A and 130A(long term fuel trim bank1 upper limit...intermittent fault). Dealer said it was probably an O2 sensor and they cleared the codes, estimate says 320$cnd.
A week later, the light came back on for 2 days and reset by itself.

Last week my car began to have a rough idle on stops and lights and before I stop the engine, I did a test. While I had the foot on brake pedal, I depressed the accelerator and it had no effect on engine speed....

After I restarted the car everything is OK.

And now this week my CEL came back on and is still on.

My questions are : -are the 2 problems related ?

-Can I use a generic O2 sensor on model
2000 GLT? somebody told me this one is specific
made by Volvo.

-Is rough idle good enough for ETM replacement?

Thanks Alain

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Mar 2006, 07:53

Problems may or may not be related. For the dealer to exchange the ETM, they'll have to pull specific codes off of the ECU for an ETM replacement....plus they have to follow a specific procedure before the repacement, such as a throttle body cleaning first. Diagnosis itself will end up costing you until they do the free replacement and download of software for it. Unfortunately '99 and '00 Volvo's all have the ETM issue at some point. I would try an independent Volvo experienced shop or mechanic first. If the ETM codes are then identified by them, then I wouuld take the car to a dealer and raise cane about having it replaced, including telling them that the codes from 2 months ago indicated ETM failure and you've had problems with no acceleration and sporatic surging since then (even after a cleaning by your indy mechanic). Hope this helps. You want to, as much as possible, elliminate the possibiliy of any out-of-pocket expense.

Post by **mom** » 29 Mar 2006, 19:11

Thanks,

My CEL came off 2 days after......again. I then called my dealer and ask them about the procedure for the replacement of ETM, and as you said they have to go through a series of things before changing it. But they say I am eligible for a software upgrade and they will do it next time I get serviced. The guy said it takes about an hour to upgrade.........it looks like a big job....dunno.Hope they won't charge me for this.

I asked him if I should change my oil in the tranny and he said that I don't have to, and the price for 1 liter is 25$....We need 12 liters. It is a special type of oil as my car has the new type of tranny(5 speed) and have to use this one only(synthetic made by Volvo).My car has 116000Km.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Mar 2006, 19:58

Yeah, the dealer will tell you about "their" special tranny fluid....which is nothing more than Mobil-3309 ATF rebadged. It is, of course much cheaper and made for your transmission (Mobil Oil company supplies it to Volvo from what I understand). You might get lucky and find it locally, but if not, here is some information about where you can buy this special ATF:
Boncosky Oil (Mobil distributor in Chicago (Elgin) wants $4.10 per quart (case of 12) plus $25 shipping.
Vesco Oil in Southfield, MI (Mobil distributor) wanted $3.58 per quart (case of 12) Don't know if they'll ship, but here's their number: 248-557-1600

Note that the Mobil-3309 ATF is only for AW (Assin Warner) 5 speed transmissions, like are found in later model Volvo's and a few other cars, like top end Toyota's, Audi's, etc. If you have an older 4 speed Automatic, you can't use this and should stick to regular Dextron/Mercron II/III ATF or Mobil-1 Synthetic ATF.

A note about your car's issues. Do you know if the throttle body has been cleaned or not? It could make a difference and show itself in irratic and intermittent idling and surging, bucking, etc. too. At least the software upgrade should be free (others reporting it is on other sites) and I'm sure they'll notice if the throttle body is dirty (they may charge for its cleaning though).

Post by **mom** » 30 Mar 2006, 11:25

interesting but I remember a thread, not sure if it was on this site, saying that someone screwed up his tranny few weeks after changing oil at a local garage. It's something I would not like to live....so where did you take this information about the type of oil (Mobil-3309 ATF) I want to make sure before changing it, I think the job is around 7000$ for a new one.

Thanks about ETM info I will probably take an appointment this week I will come back on this.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 30 Mar 2006, 14:03

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... _3309.aspx
and http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/ ... F_3309.asp
are the sources as well as the www.volvospeed.com forum where others are having success with this ATF.

The tranny replacement is $2-3000 at most unless you find a dealer willing to charge you what you mentioned.

Not flushing your transmission fluid is a sure way to incur a replacement down the road. Don't listen to Volvo when they say you have a "closed" system and the ATF is never to be touched. All they're trying to do is get you past their warranty period so they can charge you bookoo's of $$ to put a new transmission in. This is a well known fact on ALL of the forums including this one, www.swedespeed.com, www.brickboard.com and www.volvospeed.com

Hate to be blunt but if you have over 60K miles on your car and your transmission fluid has never been replaced, that's the first thing I would be doing, maintenance wise with your car.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions regarding this.

Post by **mom** » 30 Mar 2006, 17:05

Thank you very much ,I appreciate your help.

Here is the link for the thread I was talking about

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... php?t=3951

and I see it really is Mobil 3309 that is needed

I will try to find it here in Montreal, if not, I'll pay myself a ride to the states!!!8)
Alain.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 30 Mar 2006, 20:12

Very few places carry it, so make sure where you're going has it before you make the trip or it may be all for nothing. That's why I listed a few places you can call and/or order it from. Maybe if you have a friend just over the boarder, you can have it shipped to him/her and then go pick it up!

Btw, you'll need at least 12 quarts to do a proper flush. You can follow the procedure in the database section on the how-to. Good luck!

Post by **mom** » 31 Mar 2006, 19:19

OK!

I found a Mobil distributor here in Montreal. Here is the adress for people who would be interested:

Lubrifiants NOCO
3400 St-Patrick st.
Montreal H4E 1A2
1-877-464-NOCO

66.33$CDN tax included for 12 quarts of ATF 3309.

By the way I went to the dealer to pick up a spare green clip in case it breaks while I remove the tranny hose, and effectively they will clean my ETM and charge 1 1/2 hour to do it + free software upgrade.

And my CEL came back on today.................

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 31 Mar 2006, 19:49

Good find on the 3309 ATF! Nice of the dealer but what's your code from the CEL now?