Volvo S70 Acceleration Problem

melissajam · Post by **melissajam** » 30 Jun 2025, 22:10

Hello,
My 2000 Volvo S70 is experiencing some issues. Last night while driving, I noticed it behaving oddly. Occasionally, the car would jerk when I accelerated, with the RPMs jumping rapidly from 1 to 3. It struggled to gain speed, almost as if it had no power. For instance, when I stopped and released the brake, it wouldn’t move as it usually does. The car drove very slowly, and I had to press the gas pedal fully just to get it to budge, which was barely effective. It sounded like it wanted to accelerate, but it just couldn’t.

I was about 10 minutes from home, assuming I took the highway at 55 MPH. I decided to risk it and got on the highway, but I could only drive for less than a mile before the RPMs got stuck at 4, and the car barely moved. I had to pull over and call a tow truck. Now, the CHECK ENGINE light is on and the UP ARROW light is flashing.

If anyone has any insights, I’d appreciate your help.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 30 Jun 2025, 22:16

Sounds like transmission or torque converter. If the engine is revving at 4000rpms and car drives like a snail..
But best would be to check transmission fluid. Check problem codes and possibly pay dealer or good shop 1 hour labor rate for piece of mind

Post by **matthew1** » 30 Jun 2025, 22:23

What Vova585 said... have the codes read. Any code reader will do.

Post by **abscate** » 01 Jul 2025, 03:44

It could be transmission but an electronic throttle body (ETB) problem would also fit those symptoms. Try disconnecting the battery for one munute, then try driveway driving again.

A transmission fault like that wont fix itself, an ETB problem often resets.

Both will trigger Check engine lights and up-arrow

Let is know your zip if you are open to a visit from an MVS member with a code scanner

Post by **MoVolvos** » 01 Jul 2025, 11:51

melissajam wrote: ↑30 Jun 2025, 22:10 Hello,
My 2000 Volvo S70 is experiencing some issues. Last night while driving, I noticed it behaving oddly. Occasionally, the car would jerk when I accelerated, with the RPMs jumping rapidly from 1 to 3. It struggled to gain speed, almost as if it had no power. For instance, when I stopped and released the brake, it wouldn’t move as it usually does. The car drove very slowly, and I had to press the gas pedal fully just to get it to budge, which was barely effective. It sounded like it wanted to accelerate, but it just couldn’t.

I was about 10 minutes from home, assuming I took the highway at 55 MPH. I decided to risk it and got on the highway, but I could only drive for less than a mile before the RPMs got stuck at 4, and the car barely moved. I had to pull over and call a tow truck. Now, the CHECK ENGINE light is on and the UP ARROW light is flashing.

If anyone has any insights, I’d appreciate your help.

.
.
My 00 S70 SE Base/NA had a similar issue. After replacing a few bad coils it still had a hick up and the remedy was to clean the ETM,
.