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ECT Sensor

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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tommylg
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Year and Model: 1998 s70 glt
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ECT Sensor

Post by tommylg »

My S70 GLT starts and runs smoothly, idles steadily at 900 for 10-15 minutes, motor temp gauge goes to "normal" and then the motor develops a miss, rpm's are erratic and it acts like it wants to die.
I have fresh NGK plugs, Bougicord wires, Volvo dizzy cap installed. All five injectors are pulsing.
My read is that something is reaching x temp and creates this motor stumble.
Reasearch says that the ECT can send a false signal on fuel and timing thus creating the misfire.
So, the questions are:
can the ECT overheat?
if not the ECT, what other sensor could be the culprit?
I have a new Valeo Sensor and Wahler Thermostat. Additionally, I have soaked the thermo housing bolts for removal.
Please respond and thank you,
Tommy

tommylg
Posts: 71
Joined: 19 May 2021
Year and Model: 1998 s70 glt
Location: murfreesboro, tn
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Post by tommylg »

Additionally, the MAF displays 12kg/h and load via MAF is 0.7 volts when disconnecting it there is no difference.
The ECT displays 2.498v and 2.334v on a revisit.
Throttle Position Sensor displays 0.5 v.

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Sveedy
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Post by Sveedy »

I would say - yes. Your ect is the culprit based on the symptoms. Clean the connector when you replace it.
Can be a PITA to remove, so I notched a cheap socket for the job.
IMG_20220110_165827492.jpg
Try to learn life's bad lessons vicariously through others.


1996 850 Turbo GLH ( Goes Like Hell )
1999 V70 GLT

tommylg
Posts: 71
Joined: 19 May 2021
Year and Model: 1998 s70 glt
Location: murfreesboro, tn
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Post by tommylg »

A Robert DIY video say to just cut the sensor wire and then you get a wrench on the sensor.
I have done a serious 5 time soak w/PB Blaster to hopefully help things along.
Thank you,
Tommy

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Sveedy
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Post by Sveedy »

Never cut wires if you don't need to.

JMHO.
Try to learn life's bad lessons vicariously through others.


1996 850 Turbo GLH ( Goes Like Hell )
1999 V70 GLT

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Chuck W
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Post by Chuck W »

Accessing the sensor is the issue. Not much room to turn an open-ended wrench in there. Even if you cut the wires off of the old sensor, you're still going to have to figure out how to tighten the new one with the wires attached.

Sveedy's modified socket is a good idea. Kind of like the split O2 sensor wrenches.

On my car, the old harness had disintegrated, so I'd already replaced the connection with another weather-tight connector. I just removed the pins from the connector pigtail so I could get a closed-end wrench down around the sensor to remove it. Opening up a stock connector usually invites things falling apart. If I needed to leave the connector intact, I'd go for the slotted socket.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap
'97 855 GLT - Hers. RN swap/16T/COP/VVT/exhaust/302s/Flashed M4.4/ chassis bracing/ 2 kid seats
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.

The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '93 F-150 I6

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

I’m going to say no to the ECT sensor causing your misfire. It sounds like you misfire when the car is going closed loop

Did you include a new rotor in thst list?

I would search for our good friend Mr Vacuum Leak
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tommylg
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Year and Model: 1998 s70 glt
Location: murfreesboro, tn
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Post by tommylg »

Anyone have thoughts that the rotor button could be the culprit?
Anyone have thoughts onthe voltage #'s in post one amendment?
Thanks,
Tommy

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Chuck W
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Post by Chuck W »

Replace the ECT and report back.
'97 854 T5 - Manual Swap/M4.4/COP/NA cams/P2R Brakes/16T/ chassis bracing/ XC70 nose swap
'97 855 GLT - Hers. RN swap/16T/COP/VVT/exhaust/302s/Flashed M4.4/ chassis bracing/ 2 kid seats
'78 GLE - Waiting in the wings. Future whiteblock/T5 swap.

The Others- '83 TBird turbo, '85 Mercury Marquis LTS (1 of 134), '86 LTD Wagon, '81 Granada GL, '76 Beetle, '93 F-150 I6

tommylg
Posts: 71
Joined: 19 May 2021
Year and Model: 1998 s70 glt
Location: murfreesboro, tn
Been thanked: 3 times

Post by tommylg »

I replaced the ECT sensor, thermostat, the distributor cap, and hit the rotor w/aScotchbrite pad.
The car fired right up and warmed up as the rpm's setteled in at 900.
I let it idle w/an occasional opening of the throttle and it setteled back to 900 nicely.
I drove around the neughborhood several times and took a trip to the grocery w/some trepidation, but all went well.
Let's see what happens "After the night when I wake up and see what the world will bring" - The Vikings by Flava Fav.
Once again, thanks to cn90 for the "replace the ect sensor" post.
Good day,
Tommy

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