Unstable RPM, s80 2001

police44 · Post by **police44** » 10 Aug 2008, 15:23

When I start engine it work's very unstable, can't reach more than 2500 RPM. Checked and replaced all spark plugs, please HELP to find out the cause of this problem! No error messages, no any other warnings. A few days ago it has started, but later on it was OK, but then this problem started again. Car is not drivable, the exhaust smells as unburned fuel.
Recently (right before the problem) I washed an engine (guilty) and tanked gas. Also, about two month ago I've got replaced a t-belt at the Volvo dealership.
NEED URGENT HELP! Thanks in advance!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Aug 2008, 15:29

Welcome to MVS.
Certainly could be a MAF sensor and your car is in a "limp mode."
Have your trouble codes read with a scan tool and report back the codes here which will give us a direction as to the problem(s) with your car. On second thought it also sounds like the ETM (electronic throttle body) and your car being an '01 certainly has an ETM. Check out the ETM section in our Forum (at the top). Anyway, you'll still need your trouble codes to be sure.

police44 · Post by **police44** » 10 Aug 2008, 15:45

Thanks a lot! Right now my car is at the shop and mechanics will be testing all codes on Monday. I will keep you informed about all trouble codes they finds out, if you do not mind, on Friday they did not get any success.
In case you were right, what is the price tag on this problem?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Aug 2008, 15:52

Well, the good news is that in the U.S., England and most (but apparently not all) countries the ETM is under warranty for 10 years or 200K miles (whichever comes first) so if it is the ETM, the dealer will/can replace it for free. Trouble is that if you don't have an ETM code, they will typically want to clean the throttle body and do some computer downloads to help with the problem first. The TB cleaning is usually billed to you and prices vary. If they do a software download related to the ETM (which sometimes works great and takes care of the problem) this is free in the U.S., Canada and England but not sure about other countries.

Where are you?

Read more about the issue here: www.vexedvolvo.org

police44 · Post by **police44** » 10 Aug 2008, 15:53

BTW, I could not open any links from ETM post.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Aug 2008, 15:57

Are you saying you couldn't read anything here?:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... m.php?f=12

police44 · Post by **police44** » 10 Aug 2008, 16:04

MadeInJapan wrote:Are you saying you couldn't read anything here?:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... m.php?f=12

No this link is OK, I also Googled it and found out a lot of info, THANKS!
I'm in Canada, so hopefully I will get it replace without problems, but I will let you know anyway.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 10 Aug 2008, 16:10

Good luck with it...might not be the ETM at all.
Surging or unstable idle could be:
1. Air leak in vacuum hose(s)
2. Bad MAF or dirty connector
3. Bad IAC (idle air control) or it could be dirty.
4. On your model, the ETM or dirty throttle body or both

Also, could be fuel related:
1. Fuel pump.
2. fuel pump relay
3. fuel pressure regulator at the fuel rail

Or electrical:
1. Bad or corroded battery wire or grounds
2. bad power pack(s) at the spark plugs
3. worn out spark plugs or wires.

Keep us updated.

police44 · Post by **police44** » 10 Aug 2008, 16:16

I doubt that this is pump or electrical related problem. I got my pump replaced last year and spark plugs are brand new with connectors tight. I believe it is ETM, all symptoms are as described in the forums, but I will definitely let you know.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 10 Aug 2008, 18:21

police44 wrote:Car is not drivable, the exhaust smells as unburned fuel.
Recently (right before the problem) I washed an engine (guilty) and tanked gas.

The fact that you washed the engine immediately before the problem started and that you are now smelling unburned fuel in the exhaust leads me to believe that you've shorted something under the hood related to the spark - maybe a coil pack or trigger wire. I'd try to find those and make sure the entire area is completely dried out. Did you get any water down around the spark plug boots? Also, what do you mean by "tanked gas?" Good luck.