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ETS light on, no symptoms, codes

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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pgregston
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Joined: 23 August 2010
Year and Model: 92 960 wagon
Location: SANTA BARBABRA

ETS light on, no symptoms, codes

Post by pgregston »

just test drove a 2000 V70 with 151K miles. Drove great. Starts easy. Stops great. Solid and yet faded and thus offered at decent price.
The ETS light is on, so took it by AutoZone where they will check codes for you, and it had no codes.
Given that the car zips up to speed, idles well, and showed no codes, what other things would account for the light being on?
Other details about the ownership are a bit sketchy- guy showing it 'for a friend that doesn't speak good English' and staying at a hotel.
But mostly curious about how this light happen and the car seem to drive well. What problems lurk beneath and can such a car pass CA smog with that light on?

scot850
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Post by scot850 »

What is an ETS light? Is it the traction control light? If that is what you mean then it should have no effect on the cars running but could point to the ABS controller failing which is common on these cars. Strange though that it is not showing a code. Did Autozone re-set it and did it come back on?

If it was not re-set then I would re-set it and see if it returns.

The traction control light can be triggered by several things but the main 3 are:

1) Failing ABS controller (See Mid-West ABS web-site for more info)
2) Bad ABS sensor on one of the wheels, or a bad reluctor wheel on an axle
3) Failing ignition switch electrical portion.

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

Electronic Throttle System. It’s the full name for the Electronic throttle body and all of its cousins

ETM, ETB, AND ETS all refer to the fly by wire system used by Volvo in 1999

Your 2000 Volvo uses theMagneti Marcelli throttle body that lasts , 150k miles

A new one costs about $500 and sometimes you need software loaded at the Volvo dealer for another $200

There are third part options discussed in the ETM Forum below

Get licenses, and transfer money at a police station
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wizechatmgr
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Post by wizechatmgr »

pgregston wrote: 19 Sep 2020, 19:55 just test drove a 2000 V70 with 151K miles. Drove great. Starts easy. Stops great. Solid and yet faded and thus offered at decent price.
The ETS light is on, so took it by AutoZone where they will check codes for you, and it had no codes.
Given that the car zips up to speed, idles well, and showed no codes, what other things would account for the light being on?
Other details about the ownership are a bit sketchy- guy showing it 'for a friend that doesn't speak good English' and staying at a hotel.
But mostly curious about how this light happen and the car seem to drive well. What problems lurk beneath and can such a car pass CA smog with that light on?
If you can find someone to scan it with VIDA before purchase, I'm almost sure you'll be able to see why the light illuminated.
Wisdom requires knowledge as a prerequisite, but knowledge can be developed due to a lack of wisdom.
In order to learn how to fix something, you must first learn how to break it.
1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4 T -- ~231k miles
1998 V70 2.4 NA -- ~184k miles

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