V70 2002 ETM or Trans?

groto4 · Post by **groto4** » 18 Apr 2012, 07:47

I have 2002 V70 with AW55-50sn trans and Magneti ETM (white sticker). Issues is transmission disengagement at intermitent times. I think it is going into limp mode and I can only travel at ~20 mph. Disengagement happens for about 1 to 2 minutes of time but can last as much as 8 miles before re-engaging. Rarely happens when its cold. Mostly happens during city driving.
Problem presented itself after I changed the transmission oil. I put in the incorrect oil (3.25 qts) and not mobil 3309. But have now have changed trans oil 10 times with Castrol Import.
Volvo dealer did TCM upgrade.
Independent transmission shop says its not transmission issue but throttle positioning issue.
Independent auto shop says it the ETM, they did ohms test across terminals and found 320 ohns, they said spec was 1.5 to 3.5.
2nd trip to Volvo dealer told me no codes found and diagnosed it as a transmission issue. They wanted $6000 to replace it.
As I continue to drive the car the disengagement periods are getting longer and longer. But still I have no messages displaying on my dash.
I am not sure this is an ETM or trans issue? I don't have a hunting idle. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Northern Chev · Post by **Northern Chev** » 18 Apr 2012, 09:07

A couple thoughts on this. First, I'm not exactly sure but "limp mode" on this transmission should throw a code and lock the trans in third or fourth forward gear causing the engine to lug or stall when the car stops. You state that it "disengages" and prevents you from going over 20 MPH. Second, understand that darn near every Volvo dealer is going to play the "bad transmission" card almost instantly. It's not necessarily because the trans is "bad" but because that's the fastest easiest way for them to take care of any trans-related issues AND guarantee that they didn't miss anything else internal to the trans that may be lingering as a result of the real issue. So don't rely on them to give you the deep insight you may be seeking.

As well, trust that the dealership (probably) did not do a ETM test across the terminals like your other local shop did. Again, Volvo dealerships play the "bad trans" card almost instantly on older vehicles as a standard practice. It's a shame but quite true.

Also, $6000 is just "slightly" above the market value of the entire car when it's in mint running condition...

I am sorry I don't have any real tech info for you in this post. Also I noticed you just joined the group. I'm assuming this is to hopefully gain insight in the Internet's best resource for all things Volvo? And this forum IS the best resource hands down. It seems that Volvo automatic transmission problems are a HUGE part of these car's common problems. But I'll let you know right now, don't get your hopes up too far as it would seem that either trans problems are an extreme anomoly or no one has intense diagnostic knowledge of these transmissions because the responses all seem to be similar in nature. --> Mostly dead silence or "make sure you have the right fluid" and "change the motor mounts."

Don't be quick to blame the people here though, they are a GREAT bunch but it would just seem that very detailed knowledge about exact pieces inside the trans and their related diagnostics for Volvo transmission problems doesn't seem to be available anywhere. Not just here. I will be following this thread because there's an opportunity for someone to come out of the woodwork and become the next Matt's Volvo Forum Transmission Specialist!

You are correct in coming here to Don's ETM Room. This may be the direction you'll want to go.

groto4 · Post by **groto4** » 18 Apr 2012, 12:23

Thanks much for your insights. I dont know what limp mode is. This is my first Volvo so i am just learning the terms. When this disengagement happens, i still can feel the trans shifting. During this disengagement period, i step on the gas and rpms go up to about 2 -3 r's (i dont press on the gas to hard if i dont get a response), but there is very limited acceleration and on a flat road i can get to about 20 mph and only 14mph up hill. It feels like something in the trans is not locked up. Then as i keep lightly feathering the gas while in this disengagement mode, then the trans engages and lets me accelerate. When it is not acting up, the car shifts and drives beautifully, which is about 50% of the time. I was thinking of replacing the three linear solenoids in the trans or the ETM, but without some more info on my symptoms, i dont want to waste the funds. Appreciate your comment on Volvo dealer bad trans communication card. Volvo dealer also didnt put their diagnosis in writing, just told me over the phone. Both the independent trans shop and auto shop both said etm. Any use in getting a obd3 scanner? Thx!

Post by **mikealder** » 21 Apr 2012, 05:02

If the car is normally aspirated why not take the ETM off the inlet manifold and clean it out using carb cleaner, they can stick due to carbon build up, the N/A engine is easy to remove the ETM (circa 30 minutes to remove clean and put back in to place) you only need a screwdriver and 10MM spanner. If yours is a turbo then they are considerably more fiddly to remove to clean - Mike

groto4 · Post by **groto4** » 23 May 2012, 07:39

Update on my 2002 V70.... Volvo replaced my ETM for free and now my car never goes into limp mode! I bought a Autel MS609 OBDII scanner and looked at my Throttle position signal while driving and it flatlined at 12%, which at that same time the car would go into limp mode. I showed the data to Volvo dealer and they searched for codes and found an ETM code, but it didn't pass the death test (ETM signal was only 4.5 degrees from where it should be, Volvo corporate needs ETM to be off by 13 degrees for them to replace the ETM), but they replaced my ETM anyways. Now my car drives wonderfully and the transmission was never the issue. I would like to thank my service manager at the Volvo dealer who went to bat for me against Corporate Volvo.