V70 1999 V70 CEL and MAF

amelia · Post by **amelia** » 06 Jun 2009, 20:01

My CEL comes on and I've had a gasket and fresh air hose replaced ($800 so far). Now the dealer wants to replace the MAF. I've read the posts and think maybe I (widow - female) might be able to at least clean and or replace it myself. I know absolutely nothing about cars except the dealer charges way too much. Can anyone, dumb down to my level and talk me through this step by step? Please don't assume I know anything, because I truly don't. Thanks for saving me at least $450. Also, I wonder if it is the thermostat for the hot/cold air flap control?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 06 Jun 2009, 21:56

Welcome to MVS.
All of what you quote seems very expensive for the type of repairs this shop has done and is still proposing. The MAF sensor is an easy 10 minute job with hand tools. But before we go there, did the shop read trouble codes from your car's computer? You really need to know what they are as you could just be throwing money at a problem and not fix it. By the way, what exactly is happening to your car that they are saying you need a new MAF?

amelia · Post by **amelia** » 06 Jun 2009, 22:32

Thanks so much for responding. The car has also 68,000 miles on it and is a T5. The check engine light is on. I took it to an auto repair place (repairs only Volvos) and they couldn't fix it because they said they didn't have the codes. They implied these codes were secret that only dealers have them. I also called a local repair shop and they said they didn't have the software to diagnosis problems with Volvos. So I went to the only dealer in town. They never told me the codes. I asked to look at the diagnostic report and was told they do not share that info with the public. They said I needed to replace exhaust manifold gaskets (the invoice isn't clear on how many were replaced) and it would solve my problem. On my way home, the check engine light came on again. I called the dealer and back in it went. This time they said it was the fresh air exhaust hose. I replaced that. On my way home, the check engine light came on once again. This time, the serivce guy says he is really pretty sure it is the MAF or maybe some other components. But I need to replace the MAF before any other problems can pop up. To replace the MAF I was quoted over the phone $400-450. I have an appointment to take it back on Tues, but at this point, I think I'll cancel. I hate not knowing what is going on, besides I feel I'm being fleeced. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Post by **holler1** » 07 Jun 2009, 06:53

Unless the car is running badly, or you have to have an emissions inspection soon, there is no great urgency to getting rid of a check engine light (CEL). As MadeInJapan says, before throwing parts at it (as the dealer seems to be doing), you need the codes. Some Volvo codes are dealer-only but you can learn a lot from an ordinary code reader-these are called OBDIII codes. You can probably get the codes read free at an Advance Auto or Autozone. Or you can buy a code reader for about $50 at either of those stores, Sears, etc. My recommendation would be to get your own code reader. I bought one for my daughter and insisted she keep it in her car, since she is 500 miles away. At the least you would have some idea what general category of problem you have.

The dealer saying they don't show diagnostics to "the public" is ridiculous. You are not "the public". You are a customer who paid for the service and those diagnostics are for your car. That's like a doctor refusing to show a patient his/her xrays. I would hope they don't post them on the wall for the general public! Personally, I would not go back to that dealer except for warranty repairs. By the way, there are some emission parts that are under warranty up to 80,000 miles.

amelia · Post by **amelia** » 07 Jun 2009, 07:22

Thanks. You are so right. I'll head to the auto today and purchase one. But, I woke up in the middle of the night and I remember exactly when it happened. This may be something. I received a recall notice to take the car in for servicing. (This was a reminder notice because I forgot about the 1st one...that was when John started getting sick). They needed to upgrade the software because of potential surging problems of the engine. On the way home the light came on, but I really didn't pay attention to which light and assumed it was the service one. I didn't use the car for probably a week and that is when I noticed it was the engine light. What do you think?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 07 Jun 2009, 08:02

We still don't know what's happening to your car. Are you saying that it drives fine and all that is wrong is the check engine light is on? It could be the ETM (what the dealer upgraded with software)... if the ETM is finicky, a code can be thrown for it and light up your instrument panel- this part is covered under a 100K miles or 10 year warranty for your car. A good generic code reader (OBD-II) will at least point you in the right direction. My suggestion is to have an auto parts store read the codes for you and write them down (watch how they use the gizmo) and it will give you a good idea of what you're in for to use one yourself. No need in paying the dealer those ridiculous prices- even if it was an MAF sensor, this part is under $200 even from an expensive on-line store and you can do it yourself with a screw driver in 10 minutes....but you would get a code for this if this is what the problem is and most definitely, your car would be having strange driveability problems. Good luck and let us know what you do and how you make out.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 07 Jun 2009, 08:29

amelia wrote: besides I feel I'm being fleeced.

I agree. They should be telling you what the diagnostics said, after all you paid for it. It sounds like they are just changing out some things that are easy to get to and then resetting the codes. That lets you get a few miles away and then, bam, the CEL comes back on and you're back at the dealership for more work. Or maybe they're not changing the parts at all (always ask for the old parts back, that way you know they actually changed them). If I were you I would call the national # (1-800-458-1552) and complain loudly.

Another thing you could do is take the car to another dealership in a nearby town. I know it sounds like a lot of hassle, but you might actually get your car fixed.

Also, you may actually be having problems with the ETM. There is an extended warranty for this to 10 years from the first use of the car or 200,000 miles. Volvo is supposed to replace the ETM at no cost to you if they find that is the problem. Here is a link to some more info on this: http://www.etmsettlementdocuments.com/2008/faq.html It sounds like the dealer did the first part of correcting this problem: the software upgrade. If it continues, they are supposed to replace the ETM. Your dealer might be trying to get the car past the warranty deadline in order to not give you the free ETM. You can try calling Volvo's ETM complaint line @ 1-800-283-0117 also. Good luck and let us know what happens.

amelia · Post by **amelia** » 07 Jun 2009, 08:51

Thanks so much. I'll purchase the OBD-11 device and call the 800 #. You've given me the confidence to move forward. I'll let you know the outcomes. I may have most of this resolved by Monday eve.

I'll be back.

amelia · Post by **amelia** » 07 Jun 2009, 10:41

I'm back with the code. 1171. The autozone guy thought the code might be the MAF.

Do you think I should still call and complain about the software?

Thanks again.

Post by **holler1** » 07 Jun 2009, 11:24

This forum has a list of the codes for the 1999 at:
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvo- ... ble-codes/

P1171 is listed as something wrong with long-term fuel trim, which means the air to fuel ratio is not what it should be. I've never had to deal with that one. MIJ or Vegas will know something about it, I'm sure. It sounds like it could be the MAF sensor, but I'm guessing that it might also be something like an air filter or a loose vacuum hose. Just a guess.