S40 2000 hard brakes on cold start

[avrahambirmingham]

We had a problem with the brakes on the 2000 S40. Our car was doing the hard pedal at first start of the day for about a minute, exactly like what the vacuum pump recall said. Only thing is, we'd already had the recall done.
The dealer at first said that everything was working within design parameters. In short, the system was designed not to function properly for a minute or two? You basically would have to wait for the brake system to warm up before going anywhere, or stand on the brakes to get the car to stop until the system warms up? What designer would do something that dumb?
We called Volvo's service line, and at first were told "that doesn't sound right." But they came back and said yup, it was within parameters. Parameters or no, I wasn't going to let my wife drive a car that refused to stop properly at startup (yeah, let's start a family and have that car backing down a hilly driveway... no thanks).
After refusing to take back the car like that, and since the dealer got in a second one with the same problem, a regional Volvo person came in, drove it, and recommended checking the pin connector tension. Apparently, the female end of the connection was loose, so the brake assist at startup -- the subject of the recall -- wasn't functioning at all. So we weren't getting full brakes until the main system kicked in. Lo and behold, they checked it, and no more problem.
We even hear the "noisy" vacuum pump replacement, which we hadn't heard before.
So, if you have this frustration going on with your S40, and the dealer gives you that lame line about "it's normal" for brakes not to work for a couple minutes, suggest the pin tension.
You're welcome...

[Chris77ca]

I have a 2000 volvo s40. Love the car but it has been in alot! So much the dealership knows my voice when I call. During my recent visit I read about a recall regarding the break vacuum pump

http://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-r ... /s40/base/

I asked him about it and he said it has already been replaced. I read a story where a lady hit the brakes and went right through an intersection!

2000 Volvo S40 NHTSA Recall ID Number: 03V474000
Recall Date: NOV 17, 2003
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Potential Units Affected: 36000
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDED BRAKE PEDAL FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PUMP WITH A NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION AND MOVE THE PUMP TO A NEW LOCATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Notes: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC., 129


Good luck! [email protected]

[Mobie1CarNoobie]

Aloha.
I recently became a Volvo 2000 s40 owner, My mother gave me her car.
It has 14,000 miles and is in excellent condition..
I have the above problem, and it really startled me.. I had this car shipped to me from the mainland-to Hawaii.
I had never driven it before..took it home, and the next day backed it out my driveway,,WOW..no brakes..took major force to stop..after car runs a couple of minutes..this is no longer a problem..the vacuum assist seems to be active..I looked though my mom's service records and i see the Volvo campaign,,nice word for recall..the pump has been replaced.
"So, if you have this frustration going on with your S40, and the dealer gives you that lame line about "it's normal" for brakes not to work for a couple minutes, suggest the pin tension"..from above post

Any chance fixing this maybe covered under recall warranty?

What is this pin referred to in above post, and how can i describe this to a repair person here..we have no Volvo dealers on this Island,,but a couple of authorized repair centers..
also any advice coming up to 15,000 miles soon..Aloha

[jaksuede]

I am having the exact same problem on cold start. Is this pin connector located at each front wheel?