99-2001 ETM Failure

[grushton]

Finally got a straight answer from Volvo regarding the ETM situation. Here is the bottom line according to Volvo USA.

In 2006 a recall was issued for over 170,000 vehicles with the dreaded white label ETM. The recall consisted of only a software upgrade to reduce the occurrence of the car entering limp mode. It did not repair the faulty ETM. Volvo then placed a 10 year/200000 mile warranty on the ETM unit. Dealerships were instructed to replace the unit if it continued to fail after a cleaning and software upgrade.

NHTSA reports that symptoms of a faulty ETM include surging at low speeds, loss of power at highway speeds, inconsistent idling and engine stall. Vehicles without the software upgrade will experience limp mode at a higher rate.

Volvo has NOT officially recalled the ETM unit and due to the age of the vehicles, will not. The Volvo representative informed me that my local dealership should have replaced the unit while it was under warranty if symptoms continued.

Though the recall was performed on my 2001 S80, my dealership did not replace the faulty unit. My only recourse is to deal with my local dealer and try to get some compensation with regard to the unit replacement.

If you have a an affected vehicle you can call Volvo Customer Care to see if all recalls were performed at 1-800-458-1552 . Have your VIN # ready. It is doubtful than the affected vehicles are still under replacement warranty.

[precopster]

We have an entire forum section devoted to this strange Volvo anomaly called Don's ETM Room.
Lots of pics/resources and even some strange guys taking on the repair of these ETMs

Hope you get some compensation for yours. Now that you have some more info it should be easier

[pinspals777]

I was in Friday afternoon rush hour traffic when my 1999 S80 T6 went into "limp home mode". I pulled off the highway and waited about an hour and tried again and it was fine, only to intermittently go into "limp home mode". I found a GDI IVD Intake Valve Cleaner by CRC that claims it's safe for turbo engines. I've read that I shouldn't use any carbon cleaners that you pour into the gas tank so am leery of trying such products. Have you any info whether this is safe to use vs. disassembling the whole intake manifold system?

[jbkeene]

IMO
it's not worth trying to clean the intake manifold without taking it off...it would end up being a 1/2assed result
I recommend getting a PCV replacement kit...it includes the PCV oil trap, manifold gasket, and more...a very complete job kit

once the manifold is off, it is a breeze to clean...you can use soap-and-water at this point and get it very clean
it also affords an opportunity to inspect vacuum hoses, etc. that are under/behind all this stuff

the oil trap can be a huge culprit towards having a dirty intake...and it is a normal maintenance item

I tried to do what you're proposing, only to end up having to do a XeMODeX ETM swap

if ETM is indeed shot, after cleaning you will need to do everything all over again...ETM comes off when manifold comes off

all this should take no more than 2 hrs. the 1st time...less than 1/2 that the second time

PS...if you go this route, switch to full syn motor oil...it keeps the PCV/intake a lot cleanlier