New to Volvos some advice? $400 1999 Volvo S70

Arlucian · Post by **Arlucian** » 14 Mar 2019, 15:11

Hey guys, first ill apologize I'm sure posts like this are made pretty often but its been a while since i've cruised any forums and i have some fairly specific questions about my 1999 Volvo S70 i just got a few days ago. So before i bought the car i knew the charging system was having issues, the guy i bought it from is a tow truck driver and he impounded the car and ended up buying it just covering the tow cost ($300) So i gave him $400 it has 222k miles on it, its an auto.

So the night he dropped it off i drove it and it seemed fine, drove it around a little here and there the next couple days it sometimes starts cutting out when i get on it ( the car is actually pretty freaking fast though) and on more than one occasion trying to do a pull when it cut out i noticed the lights would dim on the dash exactly when the engine would misfire.

Also yesterday i was trying to pull out my driveway and the up arrow light came on on the dash and it wasn't really moving very fast its like it was in limp mode, I'm gonna guess that the transmission uses electronic shift solenoids and they were not getting the juice they needed, but i put in reverse and back into drive and then into neutral, i heard a audible clicking sound from under the hood and the dash lights came to life. The the up arrow went away and i was able to put it into drive and take off, but when i got done where i was at i came out and the battery was too dead to start the car, so i got a jump, took someone home, and made it home but now my car sits dead in my driveway :/

I know a decent bit about cars i worked as a diesel mechanic for over a year in the oil fields and also took a class at my community college but didn't finish for automotive technology, so i should be able to understand anything you guys tell me.

So tomorrow i get paid i'm gonna do a full tune up including the belt and tensioner ( i've considered that the belt could easily be the issue) also going to replace the battery and battery cables and check any ground straps ( i know some of this might be unnecessary but i wanna get a baseline on all maintenance so i can keep track of all of it.

I think i'm covering pretty much all my bases but i wanna see what you guys that know about these cars have to say, thanks guys looking forward to cruising this forum

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Post by **precopster** » 14 Mar 2019, 15:22

Welcome to MVS.

Looks like you're headed in the right direction. Battery cables are a known issue on that year model. You have the dreaded electronic throttle on that car. Some of them have a distorted magnet causing a short with the armature windings but this will eventually blow the throttle fuse which is 10A. Check the rating of that fuse to see if someone has put in a higher rating.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 14 Mar 2019, 15:45

Arlucian wrote: ↑14 Mar 2019, 15:11 So tomorrow i get paid i'm gonna do a full tune up including the belt and tensioner ( ive considered that the belt could easily be the issue)

Timing Belt, Serpentine Belt or both?

Arlucian · Post by **Arlucian** » 14 Mar 2019, 15:55

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑14 Mar 2019, 15:45
Arlucian wrote: ↑14 Mar 2019, 15:11 So tomorrow i get paid i'm gonna do a full tune up including the belt and tensioner ( ive considered that the belt could easily be the issue)
Timing Belt, Serpentine Belt or both?

I was gonna start with the serpentine belt but a timing belt would be a great idea now that you mention it are these interference engines? I need to be driving the car by monday to make it to work preferably so ill be going pretty ham on the car this weekend.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 14 Mar 2019, 16:01

Yes these are interference engines.
For that reason: If you don't know how old the Timing belt is, Timing belt should be high on the list.

Arlucian · Post by **Arlucian** » 14 Mar 2019, 16:05

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑14 Mar 2019, 16:01 Yes these are interference engines.
For that reason: If you don't know how old the Timing belt is, Timing belt should be high on the list.

Ok thank you added to the list, jeeze all this is gonna be expensive but only paying $400 for the car all this wont be too bad. Hopefully dont have any issues matching cam time to crank timing i know how much fun that can be and the engine compartment on this car is very tight so having to take that timing belt off more than once would not be fun.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 14 Mar 2019, 16:21

Go here and get Volvo VIDA 2014D_Repack . Install it and use it as a service manual.

Page 1: Get the 2099 patch.
Page 6: Install instructions.
Page 16: Your find magnet links to replace the broken link on page 6.

There are lots of other information in that thread. If you run into problems With VIDA post your question over there.

Post by **abscate** » 14 Mar 2019, 20:10

Your turbo S70 will have a variable valve timing cam on the exhaust side, that’s means setting timing marks is a bit more complicated than just .....lining up marks

Skip the belt this weekend, gather info, drive it leisurely to work this week.

One edit,,,car transformed itself to a 1998 overnight

Post by **precopster** » 15 Mar 2019, 03:09

At that many miles you will want to know what brand of water pump the previous owner fitted. The wrong/bad water pump will kill an engine in no time.

If it's not an Aisin it's not on.

For parts you'll want to acquaint yourself with FCP Euro in Connecticut.

Arlucian · Post by **Arlucian** » 17 Mar 2019, 04:24

Update: Alright its super late but i just got back from my buddies house(had to use his garage) and i did a lot to my Volvo tonight got a new battery installed, battery cables replaced i just did the battery to starter and starter to alternator wires not the grounds but i did clean up the ground points. Changed the oil, replaced the fuel filter. New spark plugs new plug wires new dizzy cap and rotor. My serp belt was actually good so now i got a spare in the trunk, i think thats it. The charging issue seems to be good now i havent put a multimeter on it yet as it was really late, but when driving the abs and tracs lights dont come on anymore and no more cutting out plus the lights are brighter. I didnt do the upper motor mount yet but i do have the part for it, also have a check engine light but havent got my codes read yet. Those battery cables were a PITA! Also replaced my windshield wipers lol. Brakes were a bit hot for sure after taking it for a test drive, but the car did sit for a while before i got it so ill see if that gets ironed out anytime soon. I still gotta adjust my parking brake and look into when the timing belt was last done i have oodles of service receipts from the previous owner so well see. Is there anything else i should be checking as far as preventative maintenance for these cars?