2001 S60 Position Bulb, but bulbs are good

mikeamondo · Post by **mikeamondo** » 01 Nov 2014, 17:17

So I'm looking at an 01 S60 T5 stick shift car with 165k miles for sale... asking $3k... super clean, but dash says a position bulb needs replaced but owner says all bulbs are just fine. Car is a hundred plus miles from me... before I drive that far... does this sound like a symptom of a larger, maybe computer related, issue? What would lead to the warning with all bulb operating fine?

Anything else on the 01 I ought to be aware of?

Post by **vtl** » 01 Nov 2014, 20:42

Some bulb is not good. It could be a very minor bulb, like the one in trunk.

Post by **marshallh** » 01 Nov 2014, 21:22

Intermittent failure caused by dirty bulb contact could be it. I'm not sure if the message is persistent, it may depend on the circuit.

rubbersidedown · Post by **rubbersidedown** » 02 Nov 2014, 10:18

Bulb holder is probably corroded and the increased resistance triggers the error, however the bulb is still lit, but at a slightly dim level (hard to detect by the eye). I think the holders are like five bucks each, simple and cheap to fix.

mikeamondo · Post by **mikeamondo** » 02 Nov 2014, 11:52

Thanks for the replies! I remember reading earlier about a module of some sort that was super problematic on these cars.... throttle position or something. Volvo had issued a recall but required everything else to be perfect before they swapped it.... it was a super expensive part and hard to install. Advice was to make sure it was changed before buying.... ring any bells?

Post by **S60T5SE** » 02 Nov 2014, 13:08

Are you thinking of the notorious ETM problem that plagued the 2001 P2s?:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =12&t=5694

Mine is an '06, so I haven't followed this closely. Apparently, there is a way to check if yours has been changed...white vs yellow label on the ETM, or something like that....

mikeamondo · Post by **mikeamondo** » 02 Nov 2014, 17:48

That was it! Thanks Jeff.... now .... where the heck is the ETM and this yellow sticker I hope to see? Seller offered the car at $3k.... seems like a good deal based on others listed for sale. I haven't done a car fax yet to check for dealer service history, but I will before going further....

nickbw898 · Post by **nickbw898** » 04 Nov 2014, 09:00

The ETM is underneath the induction manifold. That black plastic pipe from the MAF connects to it. The best way to see it is using a small mirror held in front of the radiator cooling fan at a level just below the manifold while shining a tortch in that area.If any of the items that collectively make up the engine management contro; (at least six from memory) it can affect the propper function and "limp mode" will be enforced as a safty measure. I can't be sure but the implication in this thread is that a faulty bulb reading can affect ETM working correctly - I don't think so. I had MY 01 ETM go bad 5 years ago and it was dealer replaced. No trouble since. I only ever get bulb warnings when a bulb has failed or is not making good contact in the housing - top left rear position light is a favourite. Give the housing a slap and the light goes back on, common failing.

Post by **abscate** » 04 Nov 2014, 15:24

Failed lights are often due to bad grounds (earths). Bulbs have no impact on the operation of the Electronic Throttle Body (ETB). Make sure the ETS light works when you turn on the ignition, but before starting the engine. An unscrupulous seller will pull the bulb to mask an ETS problem.

mikeamondo · Post by **mikeamondo** » 05 Nov 2014, 11:15

Thanks for the help! The bulb issue with this car and the question regarding the ETM were two separate questions.... just to clarify. I'm assuming any 01 or 02 S60 that has the original ETM may / is likely incur an $800 to $1200 fix at some point, and that the extended warranty on the part (10 years) is well passed. If it fails now, you're on your own...

Decided to pass on this car anyway and wait for a cleaner, lower mileage one.