S70 troubles -- Please help me STAY a Volvo owner!

hayesman76 · Post by **hayesman76** » 24 Jun 2016, 15:59

The "Check Engine" light of my 1998 S70 5-cylinder base model (127K+ miles) is on and for that reason I haven't even bothered bringing it in for the required California Smog Test that was originally due in April (the registration fee goes up the longer you wait to have the car registered, and my S70 needs to pass the smog test this year before it can be registered.)

Although it's leaked transmission fluid for several years, the car drives GREAT, looks good (I've gotten several compliments on it from strangers LOL), has excellent air conditioning for the warmer months in Southern California and I'd really like to keep it. Since I bought the car several years ago the ABS light has been on continuously but I never had it fixed as I know it's a common issue with this model and not crucial for safety or driveability.

Not long ago both the speedometer and odometer both started working intermittently, actually functioning less than 25% of the time.

I brought it to a local repair shop who said they got a code indicating the torque converter clutch solenoid needs repair/replacement and the job would run around $1800. The same model in good condition sells for close to that and unfortunately I just don't have the money to pay for such a costly repair in any case.

Does anyone reading this think there may be a MUCH less-expensive fix that could very well get the car to pass the smog test and allow me to get a couple (or more than a couple) of years more use out of this car? I really like my Volvo and want to keep it!

Thanks!

PS: In case all the required fixes would be out of my affordability range, any suggestions as to how/where to try to sell the car?

Post by **tryingbe** » 24 Jun 2016, 16:25

Buy a code reader and get the code read would be the first thing I do, since there is no free OBD reading in CA.

If not, take photos, post photos, and sell it here.

Post by **scot850** » 24 Jun 2016, 16:34

I tell you what probably most guys will possibly say. First you need to have the codes read. Some of the larger auto parts stores in the US will do this for free. Or try and see in the help section if there is someone in your area that has a code reader for your car. 98 car can't be read by the Vida Dice system so you would need a laptop and something like Vol-fcr software and a OBD dongle to connect. Again see if someone locally has this.

I see tryingbe has just replied and he has said what I am.

The ABS/Speedo/odometer are possibly all connected to a failing/failed ABS module. Contact Matty Moo at Mid-west ABS and get a re-built unit with lifetime warranty for about $100. Talk to him first as he will possibly confirm the ABS unit is the culprit.

What is Smog test got to do with these failures? Have you got actual running problems or are they part of the Smog test? Living here in Alberta Canada we don't have annual inspections or smog tests so I don't know what they entail.

As for the transmission the $1800 for swapping out for a good used unit or if they are offering the price for a re-built unit that is not bad. To remove the transmission and replace it is a 10 hr job at the dealer! Here that would be close to $1600 in labor alone!

Neil.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 Jun 2016, 22:37

Contact rspi... Robert from here- I believe he's doing the Cali tour right now and maybe he is close enough to stop in an check your car out. In regards to smog testing, I don't know what's up in Cali myself either. We don't have such an inspection here in TN. Btw, just know what most places want your business and I've seen more than a few places drum up all kinds of tails to get you to spend your hard earned $$. Do you trust the guy that said that about your transmission? If the car is running right, I wouldn't worry about that although I would be tempted to do 3 or so drain and fills of your tranny fluid over several hundred miles if you haven't done it already. I agree 100% on the ABS unit rebuilding and that it most likely is related to your odometer/speedometer issues. Mine did the exact same thing until it was rebuilt.

hayesman76 · Post by **hayesman76** » 25 Jun 2016, 08:02

Thanks very much for your reply, MadeInJapan!
Can you please give me a bit more specific information as to how to get in touch with rspi aka Robert? I checked "The Team" section of the forum but didn't see either listed. He sounds like the kind of person I need to check my car out as there are no real Volvo specialists in my small town.
Thanks also for the tip about the ABS unit, it never occurred to me that that might be involved so I'm going to look into that aspect as well.

hayesman76 · Post by **hayesman76** » 25 Jun 2016, 08:22

tryingbe wrote:Buy a code reader and get the code read would be the first thing I do, since there is no free OBD reading in CA.

If not, take photos, post photos, and sell it here.

Gonna check into that "no free OBD reading in CA" and keep my fingers crossed it's not true! But I already brought the car to one repair shop who got the "torque converter clutch solenoid" code but what I guess what I need to do is find out the exact "code" itself.
Thanks for the suggestion about posting photos of the car here if it comes down to me having to sell it. Gonna try to keep it though (this car is my 3rd Volvo so I'm a conformed Volvo guy), and your suggestion may help in doing so!

hayesman76 · Post by **hayesman76** » 25 Jun 2016, 08:30

scot850 wrote: ... The ABS/Speedo/odometer are possibly all connected to a failing/failed ABS module. Contact Matty Moo at Mid-west ABS and get a re-built unit with lifetime warranty for about $100. Talk to him first as he will possibly confirm the ABS unit is the culprit.

What is Smog test got to do with these failures? Have you got actual running problems or are they part of the Smog test? Living here in Alberta Canada we don't have annual inspections or smog tests so I don't know what they entail.

As for the transmission the $1800 for swapping out for a good used unit or if they are offering the price for a re-built unit that is not bad. To remove the transmission and replace it is a 10 hr job at the dealer! Here that would be close to $1600 in labor alone!

Neil.

Thanks for the reply.

Great suggestion re the ABS module. I already checked Matty's website and will give him a call today and tell him I was referred from here.

Regarding why the smog test comes into play, unfortunately just having the "Check Engine" light on = automatic fail in California. That's why there's virtually an entire industry in the state based around getting vehicles up-to-snuff so they can pass the smog test. The car itself runs fine, it's just that "Check Engine" light that's prevented me from even having the car "pre-tested" because it's an automatic no-pass.

Post by **abscate** » 25 Jun 2016, 20:25

The CEL light on scenario is a fail in most states that have inspections. The CEL light means something is wrong with your car, though. It can be running lean and burning itself to death.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Jun 2016, 20:31

Here is the latest info on rspi https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=76309

Post by **theWIFES_S70** » 26 Jun 2016, 13:38

Hey, this is the code reader I have in the armrest of our S70.

https://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan-M ... 001LHVOVK/

Helps a great deal in clearing the Check Engine light that rears its ugly head every so often...

Good luck!