2003 S80 Need new ECM? Car has about 151,900 miles

nicole0725 · Post by **nicole0725** » 28 Nov 2018, 15:29

Hey need some help. Started my car early saturday morning, temperature about 36 and let it run for about 7 minutes. Started driving to our local walmart and everything was fine. As Im pulling into the turning lane the car stalls out and lights flash off and come back on with lose of power steering. Push it to safe spot and wont start again. Went back that night tried to start got immobilizwr see manual, tried disconnecting battery and reconnected, did nothing and tried adding gas. Cranks but won't turn over. The next day went back and checked the battery and fuses all seemed good car would crank but wouldnt start, got the message reduced engine performance. Had it towed to my trusty mechanic, on the third day of him having the car he said the codes came back that I need a new ECM and that it had something to do with barometric pressure. He said he was going to order a used part and install it tomorrow and see if that makes it work as volvo would want $1400 for replacement. Looking for any additional possible reasons for this? Any suggestions? Any thing else to check or anyone with prior experience? I know there is an issue with reprogramming an ECM on this year. Really can't afford to get a new car or shell out a ton of money to fix it. Seems odd to me the computer is done as that doesn't frequently happen. Wondering if there is anything else I should check. Any and all input is much appreciated.

Post by **June** » 28 Nov 2018, 15:53

Get second opinion at a Volvo dealer. Sounds like you're guy is guessing. I believe these cars require VIDA to program things anyway. My 2004 S80 T6 died right in the dealership service drive. Loss of power momentarily then would not start and it was the positive battery cable connection under the hood was loose and the wire to the starter and fuse board beneath it fried and had to be replaced. I understand if battery power is disconnected improperly it can cause issues that have to be reset. My dealer fixed it so what resetting was done i don't know. You'll go broke throwing parts at one of these guessing what is wrong. You need the dealer or someone with VITA and DICE connector to properly diagnose the computer systems. June

Found a picture of the problem my car had a couple years ago top two are tonight. My mechanic said it is not uncommon as these cars age. This is under the hood and black plastic cover and is where the main cable from the battery in the trunk connects to the starter and fuse pannel. It is worth checking. June

nicole0725 · Post by **nicole0725** » 28 Nov 2018, 16:27

Thanks so much for your response! Unfortunately the closest Volvo dealer to me would be a pretty expensive tow. I will ask him tomorrow about vida and dice, if he doesn't have the correct stuff I think I know someone who does. I had great voltage coming from battery and all my lights and what not worked. Did you permenantly lose power? Or just briefly, I lost power for literally half a second when it stalled.

Post by **June** » 28 Nov 2018, 16:40

nicole0725 wrote: ↑28 Nov 2018, 16:27 Thanks so much for your response! Unfortunately the closest Volvo dealer to me would be a pretty expensive tow. I will ask him tomorrow about vida and dice, if he doesn't have the correct stuff I think I know someone who does. I had great voltage coming from battery and all my lights and what not worked. Did you permenantly lose power? Or just briefly, I lost power for literally half a second when it stalled.

Just momentarily lost power long enough to kill engine and all power, really just a split second then power back but wouldnot start. My car loves me as she chose to do this pulling in the service drive which is a half circular shape so I kinda was turning left at that moment. They called my mechanic up to the drive who knew immediately what happened as he opened the hood and flipped up the cap then closed the hood and the car had to be pushed into the shop. He said this was a rather common problem and surprisingly Volvo sells just the bottom of the fuse pannel. My mechanic has worked at my dealer going on 30 years and seems to always know just what to fix. Apparently it is easy to piss the computer off... June

nicole0725 · Post by **nicole0725** » 28 Nov 2018, 16:49

Thank you so much for the tip, I'll pass along to my mechanic tomorrow praying it could be something like that. If not contemplating sending the ECM out for repair after making sure it's being tested with the proper equipment. I appreciate your prompt reply.

Post by **June** » 28 Nov 2018, 16:56

nicole0725 wrote: ↑28 Nov 2018, 16:49 Thank you so much for the tip, I'll pass along to my mechanic tomorrow praying it could be something like that. If not contemplating sending the ECM out for repair after making sure it's being tested with the proper equipment. I appreciate your prompt reply.

Here is the portion of the bill to repair that problem. No computer components died. I was bringing in the car for a front suspension refresh when it happened. So it politely died when it was going in for repairs thank goodness! The bill lists the part numbers if your having the same problem. June

nicole0725 · Post by **nicole0725** » 28 Nov 2018, 18:21

Thanks so much! Makes it way easier to explain!