Did software fix the ETM?

Post by **DonWillson** » 17 Jul 2006, 10:54

If you have had the software updated by Service Campaign 155 how is the car running. You will probably notice some improved performance as all of the parameters are set back to 'performance' default settings (makes for better test drive. ) Then as it learns your pattern of driving it probably learns the soccer mom performance.

What year, model and mileage on the car?

Was the car running well before the software update?

Did the software improve the performance?

Was the car running poorly before the software update?

Did the software update improve the performance?

Don Willson
[email protected]
http://VEXEDvolvo.org

Has the ETM failed and been replaced after the software update?

At how many miles.

Any more insight as to the software update, good, bad or otherwise>
Edit/Delete Message

fuhao99 · Post by **fuhao99** » 11 Aug 2006, 22:22

Hi Don,

First thank you for all your effort on this ETM issue!!

I have a 1999 S70 with 95000 miles. Recently I saw ETS and Check Engine lights on and the engine was not running smoothly when speeding up. I've also obtained the error codes (P1603 and P0121) with the help of Auto Zone folks. When I took the car to the local Volvo dealer, they told me I need a software update and it'll fix the problem 99% of the time. I was in doubt since all information I got indicating a mechanical problem. But the dealer assured me that if it fails again, they'll replace the ETM.

The car ran much more smoothly when I picked the car from the dealer. I believe the software does improve the performance.

However I'm not sure if this is the real fix for the problem. Just wondering when it'll come back again. I feel like sitting on a time bomb again.

Have you heard any ETM failure case after the software update? Will ETS and/or Check Engine lights go on again before the total ETM failure?

Thanks!

Bud · Post by **Bud** » 12 Aug 2006, 09:53

As I understand it, the software update does 2 things.

1) it improves the throttle response by changing the performance contour.

2) it makes the ETS system more fault tolerant, by discarding intermittent ETM failure codes, an early sign that it is starting to fail.

Eventually, it will get a 'hard' ETM failure, and you will stranded somewhere inconvenient. It is a ticking time bomb, I hope none of you are timid drivers, it can be exciting.

Post by **DonWillson** » 12 Aug 2006, 17:08

fuhao99 wrote:Hi Don,

However I'm not sure if this is the real fix for the problem. Just wondering when it'll come back again. I feel like sitting on a time bomb again.

Thanks!

Boom,

Yes it will fail at the throttle position sensors wear out. As Bud says it just makes the software less sensitive to failures.

For instance, how could a software upgrade to the anti lock braking system keep the brake pads from wearing out.

Don Willson

jar240 · Post by **jar240** » 16 Aug 2006, 08:12

First of all, thanks for all your efforts!!

DonWillson wrote:What year, model and mileage on the car?

2000 V70 SE, ETM software updated proactively @ 86K miles, currently around 0.091 million miles

DonWillson wrote:Was the car running well before the software update?

Yes

DonWillson wrote:Did the software improve the performance?

No

DonWillson wrote:Was the car running poorly before the software update?

No

DonWillson wrote:Did the software update improve the performance?

Not at all. In fact, I'm not convinced they actually did the upgrade, even though I have the receipt saying so. Furthermore, I expected the car to "retrain" itself after the upgrade & reset, but it drove exactly as it did before.

Also please not I'd only owned the car for about 600 miles before getting the software upgrade. I've noticed hesitation ocasionally on takeoff, now that I've had a chance to drive the car (about 5K miles), but that could be several other things.

DonWillson wrote:Has the ETM failed and been replaced after the software update?

I'm unable to tell if the ETM's ever been replaced, since my car was apparently a fleet sale. It hasn't been replaced since the software upgrade.

currently around 0.091 million miles, Any more insight as to the software update, good, bad or otherwise>
Edit/Delete Message[/quote]Not really, sorry.

Post by **mom** » 16 Aug 2006, 16:22

jar240 wrote:[I'm unable to tell if the ETM's ever been replaced, since my car was apparently a fleet sale.

If there is a white sticker on your ETM then it never has been replaced.The new ones have a yellow sticker on it.