2001 V70 T5M post-ETM replacement trust issues

Worrad · Post by **Worrad** » 06 Dec 2019, 11:37

Hi everyone.

After going through ETM/MAF issues (as well as other things), at 213,000 mi. I had the local Volvo dealer replace the ETM. Decided against going w/ XeMODeX due to Volvo lifetime parts/labor guarantee on the ETM. Also replaced MAF, fuel filter, plugs, had the PCV system overhauled.

Took the car on a road trip shortly thereafter - back in early Oct: had an ETM (?) type episode on both 4 hr. legs of the trip - both identical in nature, both perhaps 2 hr into the trip. Cruise control at ~75 MPH on interstate - into limp mode w/ "immediate engine service required" dash message. Both times, immediate restart after shut down and it ran flawlessly from there on. Dash message cleared after an extended shut down (maybe 1/2 hr?) each time. BTW, the first episode was in a very dangerous situation: in left-most of 3 lanes, passing a semi w/ several others closely following! Boom - Limp mode! Scary as hell.

Took it to the dealer immediately after I got home for codes/consultation only to find that they had closed their doors!! Nearest dealer for any warranty work now 2 hrs distant - so much for that! (And so much for future Volvo ownership - sad!) Found an indy mech 30 min. away to read codes/consult. His comment: "ah yes - the dreaded intermittent limp mode....." and offered to replace the coil packs. I had/have my doubts about this Rx, so have not done so (I would do this myself).

Codes found:
260A - long term fuel trim
981A - Engine control module int. fault
904D - Pedal sensor fault; faulty signal (I had replaced this due to crank issues)
904C - MIL requested by throttle unit; faulty signal

To end the story - the car has run flawlessly ever since, save for some minor stumbling just after start up, and even that seems to have cleared up. Daily local driving only - max trip length maybe 50 mi. Flawless under heavy turbo boost to pass. Have probably briefly exceeded that 75 MPH threshold a few times......

So: Trust issues - I have a couple of longer trips (2 hr or so each way) on tap for the coming (winter!) months, both with arrival criticality: flights to catch. Both will involve interstate driving. I can't afford to miss either flight if "intermittent" morphs into catastrophic failure, and never want to repeat the multi semi incident - nearly had to wash my underwear after!

So: comments, experiences, recommendations? I'm inclined to continue to run this car if I can trust it - would you?

Thanks,

Bruce

Post by **abscate** » 06 Dec 2019, 12:37

Get thee setup with a VIDA on a computer - you can watch the throttle body sensors in real time and see if you have glitches or burps. The software puts you into limp mode on any major anomaly (you want it to do this) so that probably will be the fault.

Worrad · Post by **Worrad** » 06 Dec 2019, 16:18

abscate wrote: ↑06 Dec 2019, 12:37 Get thee setup with a VIDA on a computer - you can watch the throttle body sensors in real time and see if you have glitches or burps. The software puts you into limp mode on any major anomaly (you want it to do this) so that probably will be the fault.

Abscate,

I've been seeing posts referring to VIDA/DICE for some time now and every time I try to read one, the computerese language and seemingly inevitable complexity of getting up to speed with this technology makes my poor head want to explode.....I'm an aging ham handed stumblebum with a wrench in my hand (cut my teeth on carburetors, distributors and the like) and have no innate or instinctual understanding of computing. Bad combo. Old dogs, and all that. I've also reached the time in life where I can afford to pay someone with experience and (hopefully) competence to deal with issues that go deeper than the "surface". So, while I appreciate the advice, I think it best that I pass on it.

Hoping here to get steers/actual fixes to pass on to a chosen mechanic/shop as to what other owners have found to be effective in diagnosing/resolving "intermittent limp mode" episodes. Maybe a Quixotic quest. Ditto regaining trust in the old girl......

Post by **abscate** » 06 Dec 2019, 17:15

Most of the young folks have no concept of computing either. It is just another tool in the arsenal.

You are 1 to 3 hours from out ALBANY NY Volvo group, are you ever over this way? We have great maple syrup we import here.

I think we have a good egg up in St Johns/BURLINGTON area we can connect you to

There aren’t shortcuts to fixing modern cars without these tools.

Worrad · Post by **Worrad** » 06 Dec 2019, 17:23

Yeah, I noticed you were in the Albany area. One upcoming road trip may well fly out of there......

I would accept a steer to Burlington good egg. Maybe worth a shot.

Know anything about Packard of VT in New Haven (VT)? Volvo-centric indie shop that has some dedicated customers - about an hour + north of me.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Dec 2019, 17:41

I’ll ping him and see if he knows anything about Packard

Worrad · Post by **Worrad** » 06 Dec 2019, 17:42

My thanks!

Post by **abscate** » 06 Dec 2019, 17:50

How old is your battery? The ETM cars do not like low battery voltages. It’s possible the battery will start the cr and fault the electronics

Worrad · Post by **Worrad** » 06 Dec 2019, 17:53

Battery was replaced (not a cheapie) within the last 3 years, so I doubt this is contributary.

Post by **abscate** » 06 Dec 2019, 20:06

Make sure you have at least 50% state-of-the-charge , and 75% is better.

Being able to crank the car over isn’t sufficient. I’ve got a good video clip of the behaviour you can see on a week battery