2004 S80 2.5T AWD Throttle Body Failure

[volvobro]

As the title describes, the throttle body on my 04 s80 is failing/has failed.

Symptoms include CEL on, constant surging of the RPM between 1300-1900 when the car is in park or idling, an "Engine System Service Required" warning message, an occasional "Reduced Engine Performance" warning message, and occasionally the car will sputter and die when idling. Limp mode is also an occasional symptom.
I've already tried cleaning the throttle body, and replacing the MAF (twice), but that only solved the problem for about a month.

This is a throttle body (or ETM) made by Bosch with part number 3071154, and 0280750131. It was designed for the post-2002 Volvo. It is NOT one of the throttle bodies made by Magneti Marelli for the pre-2002 Volvo.

I found a used throttle body at a junkyard, but before I purchased it I learned that a used throttle body would require reprogramming by a Volvo dealer and would not be guaranteed to work. Reprogramming would cost $350, plus $100 for the part at the junkyard, I'd essentially be paying almost $500 for it to MAYBE work.

Local Volvo dealership has quoted me $1050 plus tax for a brand new throttle body, including labour and software install.
Volvo specialist has quoted my $650 for new throttle body, labour not included. He charges $80 an hour.
I also know another Volvo specialist that only charges $40 an hour, but he's 2.5 hours away. Don't think I can make it that far.

The best option I have found is purchasing a throttle body from eEuroparts. It's still pretty expensive, but apparently, under the installation info, it says that the throttle body DOES NOT require reprogramming.
That's music to my ears, but I'm wondering if that's actually true?
Here's a link to the part
Can anyone help me out here? If that's true, I'll buy it and install it myself.

Update: I just called eEuroparts customer service and this guy Brian said the info on the page should be accurate, but just to verify he was going to email "his guy" and get back to me once he knew more. WIll update when/if I hear back from him.

[Vovo_merz]

I have had good luck with replacing ETM's with a used ones with same part numbers and not having to have anything programmed, if I recall correctly at least 5 was replaced with no issues ( all different vehicles s60's s80's and v70's)
but have also heard of other people's not working not sure why or what the difference there is

[volvobro]

Interesting. Not sure what the reason is either, but I guess you were lucky; the mechanic at my local Volvo dealership said that there's only a 50% chance it would work. And even then, there would be a higher chance for it to fail in the future.
If the odds were better I'd probably take the gamble.

The guys over at eEuroparts never got back to me... some great customer service.

Luckily, I've found a brand new throttle body for cheaper online at RockAuto.com. Actually, most of the parts they carry are cheaper than anywhere else I've looked.
And I also found a specialist who would reprogram it for $100 (he also does synthetic oil changes for $80... my hero).

If everything works out, I will have saved a pretty decent amount of money on this expensive repair!

[precopster]

Just have to set the record straight here.

The throttle part number you mention is available very cheaply as a genuine Bosch throttle through Amazon.com Under $325 USD

It requires no programming other than to clear fault codes (preferably with Vida) and set ignition to PosII for 50secs. Then turn key fully off and then start the car. It only needs to cycle once to initiate and send maximum and minimum throttle voltages to the car's ECM.

It has no internal ECU therefore there is NO SOFTWARE to reload.

I have fitted new 3071154s with no programming and no issues. Before you spend all that money check the pins at the connector for loosening. This is a common fault. These throttles rarely fail and if they do it's because of water immersion or overwashing of the engine.

[jimmy57]

Throttle pins and connector females are becoming very commonplace issues. New throttles fix it for a time like a new plug on the end of your toaster fixes a loosey goosey wall plug. Before you send the money remove the connector, clean the terminals on harness and the pins on the ETA and apply dielectric grease. Re-install connector. If you want to use a dental pick to push the sides of the female closer together that is a good idea.
Volvo sells 4 inch leads with the ETA terminals already installed. May shops (incl. dealer shops) install a new throttle and new terminals so both parts of the connection are restored to new.

[volvobro]

Thanks for your responses. I'm glad I haven't purchased anything yet!

I have a couple questions.

When you say connector, what exactly are you referring to? Do you mean the connector that is attached to the throttle body? Or do you mean a connector that is further inside the car? (No idea where the wires from the throttle body lead to).

Also, I'm not sure if this is normal, but there seems to be a plastic cable tie wrapped around the bottom of my throttle body. Is this the connector you're talking about?

A picture.
And a closer look.

Oh and the guys over at eEuroparts finally got back to me today.

I do have word back that this was an error on the site and this does require programming after this is installed. Thank you for choosing http://www.eEuroparts.com

Regards,
Bryant Torres

Lol. There are so many conflicting pieces of intel regarding the programming of a new throttle body. I think I'll try what precopster Mike mentioned first though.

[Vovo_merz]

That is the connector they are talking about so it looks like some one has already messed with it and probably broke the plug holding clips, take it off inspect it, clean it and try to reconnect and see if you see any difference, good luck

[precopster]

I'll post up the Vida instruction script if you like. I bet Bryant Torres can't do that

[volvobro]

I'll post up the Vida instruction script if you like. I bet Bryant Torres can't do that

Haha well you've already been a helluva lot more helpful than Bryan Torres. You probably saved me around $500 with your earlier post.

That is the connector they are talking about so it looks like some one has already messed with it and probably broke the plug holding clips, take it off inspect it, clean it and try to reconnect and see if you see any difference, good luck

You are right, someone definitely messed with it. Here's an update.

I removed my throttle body and inspected the connector. It seems that the cable tie (see previous picture) was holding the connector in place. Sure enough, when I removed the cable tie so I could clean the connector, it was very loose and easy to take off. Clearly this was a quick and cheap fix by the previous owner.

I would like to fix this connector problem properly (without using any stupid cable ties) so I don't have this problem again. But I'm not entirely sure how to approach this. Here's a picture of the connector. You can see the harness connector clips are completely broken off and it's in pretty bad shape.

Is the connector replaceable? If it is, how difficult would it be to replace it? It looks like it could be hard to do because even following the wires is a challenge.
I also have no idea where I'm going to find another connector. Probably a junkyard.

[Vovo_merz]

Probably your only option would be is to get a good connector of a junk yard and splice the wires, dealers usually do not sell connectors or part of wiring