XeMODeX ETM- Who has had it done?

kalashnikat · Post by **kalashnikat** » 02 Sep 2009, 20:48

Been meaning to wrap up my earlier comment...we had a persistent warning light after the XemodeX rebuild of the ETS, sent the unit back again, at their expense, they sent it to HQ in Canada for more testing, and discovered they needed to change the testing procedure at TDP to catch a new glitch (or an old glitch) but in short, when they sent the unit back it was right, and is working perfectly, no further charge.

Thanks, Guys, it's running beautifully and I'm confident that when my daughter takes the car on long trips the ETS is not going to let her down...

Doug in Colorado Springs.

money saver · Post by **money saver** » 03 Sep 2009, 07:32

money saver wrote:Here's an update on my August 26, 2009 post. I sent my trouble codes to Xemodex. Jodi discussed my issues with her supervisor and he authorized her to send me a Federal Express label (via email) so I could send my ETM back to them for additional repairs. My part will arrive in Colorado today (8/28/09) at 3pm.
I was relieved to know that Xemodex honored their lifetime warranty as they stated. The staff has been very helpful and friendly throughout this ordeal. And I think they are trying to do everything they can to get me back on the road. I hope Xemodex will have my ETM shipped on Monday (Xemodex is closed on weekends) so I can have it installed by Tuesday (9/1/09). I will submit another post after my ETM is installed to let everyone know how my vehicle is performing.

I'm driving a rental car at the moment so quick turnaround is of the essense. Hopefully this repair will forever solve my ETM problem.

Well everyone, I'm sorry to say, but my ETM problem is still NOT RESOLVED. I received my ETM back on Tuesday (9/1/09). My mechanic put it in and off I went. My home is about 5 miles away from the shop so no problems. Well Wednesday (9/2/09) morning during my 45-50 minute commute to work the hesitation started again then the ETS light illuminated. The idling issues began as well. I was so disheartened. I thought to myself, this is the 2nd time I've attempted to have this ETM repaired and its still not working.

So I immediately drove to the mechanic so he could observe the problem I was experiencing. The mechanic read the codes with his machine and again it was that P1026 & P1021. At this point I'm ready to give up and just trade the car in. However, I've already spent in excess of $1100 (ETM repair, federal express fees, mechanic costs, rental cars) trying to get this part repaired. According to Kelly Blue book the trade-in value of my vehicle is only $1,000 (what should I do).
So, I contact Xemodex/TDP Wednesday morning and inform them that I'm still having the same problem I had the prior two times I sent my part in to be repaired. Kevin stated he would get with the owner of the company and my mechanic regarding what can be done about my vehicle and get back with me. In the meantime, I'm driving a car that won't accelerate.

There goes my trip to Orlando for the Labor Day weekend.

kalashnikat · Post by **kalashnikat** » 03 Sep 2009, 09:44

For those of you who have been paying a mechanic to remove and reinstall the ETM or even those contemplating doing it yourself, having now done the complete remove/reinstall twice on a '99 XC70 myself with my daughter helping (for the final reinstall she did most of the work!), it really is possible to do the removal and replacement in less than an hour each way...

We followed the procedures published on the internet the first time (removing the electric fan to get clearance), and it took several hours to remove the ETM...the second time, we left the fan in place and were still able to get the unit out and back in with minimal problems and no components damaged or strained, though the space is very snug...one warning is to protect what I believe is the mass air flow meter sensor
(there's a "heated wire" type device that snaps into the top of the pipe that feeds turbo pressurized air into the ETM to measure air flow). It has to come out to allow that air pipe to be pulled back and out of the way...but is easily damaged...my wife suggested we use a plastic prescription pill bottle, and sure enough, the device fit inside perfectly and was fully protected while we worked around it.
Another helpful key is to use a 3/8" Drive Mechanic's Palm Ratchet in tight places. There are several on the market, on ebay, and Pep Boys usually has them, as well as Sears Craftsman...They can be had for less than $10, and are much easier to use than even a short handled conventional ratchet when you can barely get your hand in. The lead from the ETM passed through the bracket that supports the starter motor when we got the car, and we put it back that way to ensure that the ETM cable didn't vibrate or flop around.

Not hard, just a little tricky...and I have big hands and forearms. It can be done!

Post by **Brucebo** » 03 Sep 2009, 10:30

money saver wrote: So I immediately drove to the mechanic so he could observe the problem I was experiencing. The mechanic read the codes with his machine and again it was that P1026 & P1021. At this point I'm ready to give up and just trade the car in. However, I've already spent in excess of $1100 (ETM repair, federal express fees, mechanic costs, rental cars) trying to get this part repaired. According to Kelly Blue book the trade-in value of my vehicle is only $1,000 (what should I do).
So, I contact Xemodex/TDP Wednesday morning and inform them that I'm still having the same problem I had the prior two times I sent my part in to be repaired. Kevin stated he would get with the owner of the company and my mechanic regarding what can be done about my vehicle and get back with me. In the meantime, I'm driving a car that won't accelerate.
There goes my trip to Orlando for the Labor Day weekend.

Just one WAG (Wild Ass Guess), have you checked the connector for electrical continuity. Mayby there's a bad/intermittent crimp. Also, how about the connector down behind the accelerator pedal? I knocked the latter loose last weekend while pulling up the carpet to replace my heater core. The ETS light immediately came on when I turned on the ignition.

-Bruce

kalashnikat · Post by **kalashnikat** » 03 Sep 2009, 11:05

Good point...A can of contact cleaner from Radio shack would get any oil, anti-freeze or just plain dirt out of the ETM connector...open and spray the plug and socket...it's a worthwhile investment.

money saver · Post by **money saver** » 04 Sep 2009, 08:49

Brucebo wrote:
money saver wrote: So I immediately drove to the mechanic so he could observe the problem I was experiencing. The mechanic read the codes with his machine and again it was that P1026 & P1021. At this point I'm ready to give up and just trade the car in. However, I've already spent in excess of $1100 (ETM repair, federal express fees, mechanic costs, rental cars) trying to get this part repaired. According to Kelly Blue book the trade-in value of my vehicle is only $1,000 (what should I do).
So, I contact Xemodex/TDP Wednesday morning and inform them that I'm still having the same problem I had the prior two times I sent my part in to be repaired. Kevin stated he would get with the owner of the company and my mechanic regarding what can be done about my vehicle and get back with me. In the meantime, I'm driving a car that won't accelerate.
There goes my trip to Orlando for the Labor Day weekend.
Just one WAG (Wild Ass Guess), have you checked the connector for electrical continuity. Mayby there's a bad/intermittent crimp. Also, how about the connector down behind the accelerator pedal? I knocked the latter loose last weekend while pulling up the carpet to replace my heater core. The ETS light immediately came on when I turned on the ignition.

-Bruce

Bruce, my mechanic has been dealing directly with Xemodex I guessing they would have discussed possible loose connections, etc. And its not just the ETS light illuminating, the car is not running properly. Thanks everyone for the advice. However, I am in no way capable of removing any parts. Heck, I tried giving some woman a jump and almost electrocuted myself.

In addition, I tried removing my ABS last year and it was a disaster. However, the mechanic removed it in 5 minutes. I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't feel comfortable attempting to do anything under my hood but check the oil.
Oh and just so you guys know, Xemodex requested that I send my ETM back to them a 3rd time to be repaired.

lakeman · Post by **lakeman** » 21 Sep 2009, 07:59

Following is a copy of my email to TDP trying to resolve receiving credit for a ETM module repair I purchased. I did receive credit and kept my original module.

After I had the Volvo module installed I called Kris and gave him the trouble codes listed below, at that time he told me they shop could have reprogrammed the module and it would have worked. That piece of information could have saved me $$$

I have driven the car at lest 5000 mile since the repair.

My advice is unless you install it your self and are willing to be without a car for a week or so, BUY A VOLVO ETM

Jody,
I purchased a Volvo ETM repair from you in June, A local (ASE certified) shop installed the unit and the car still would not run. I worked with Kris to resolve the issue. We tested fuel pressure, ETM relay and replaced the mass oxygen sensor. The car still would not run. TDP sent a second module a couple of weeks ago. The shop installed the second unit, the car ran OK for approximately 30 miles then started hesitating/running rough again. I spoke with Kris again, he thought there was something else wrong with the car and suggested I take the car to a Volvo specialist. I had the car towed to the shop who hooked it to a VODIS (?) machine, the unit had 5 faults, ECM 6110, 6806, 903F, 91A7, 91F0, I had the ETM replaced with a Volvo unit. I spoke with Kris again about returning the unit for credit, he said he would contact TDP to get a return authorization.. Kris left me a message stating you would give me credit if I return both my original and the replacement unit you sent.

The issue for me is that by returning both units TDP can repair and sell my old ETM for $599.00. Even though the defective unit is of no use to me I don't think you should profit when my XeModex/TDP experience cost me $475.00 not counting my time (aprox. 1 day of work) and loss of use of the car.

Here is a list of my expenses

1. Remove ETM 1 hr. labor @ $80.00

2. Ship ETM to TDP $25.00

3. Purchase ETM $599.00

4. Install ETM 1 hr. labor @ $80.00

5. Trouble Shoot 1 hr labor @ $80.00

5. Remove ETM 1 hr. labor@ $80.00

6. Install ETM 1 hr. labor @ $80.00

7. Tow Charge $50.00

TOTAL (Less ETM Credit) $ 475.00

I replaced XeModex/TPM unit with a Volvo ETM for a total cost of $969.66. I have driven in excess of 1,000 miles with no problems. A repair that I thought was going to cost me under $800.00 ended up costing $1,450.00

I am willing to return only one of the units unless I can get some kind of credit for my original.

mgambuzza · Post by **mgambuzza** » 26 Sep 2009, 21:48

moneysaver

It has been a few weeks since you last posted. Has the replacement ETM been installed and how are the results?? I am having similar problems and am debating between going to Volvo, or going to XeModex. Thanks for your posts and updates.

Mike

reVox · Post by **reVox** » 30 Sep 2009, 23:28

Just a quick update on our situation.. we have driven 2K with the XeMODeX ETM install and not a problem, at all. Working great from the first time I turned the car over (with XeMODeX) to a recent trip not 10 minutes ago. We do a lot of stop and start, quick inner-city trips which keeps our car low on milage but wear and usage is clearly there.

I'll report back at 5K. All good here. Pity to read of your ordeal moneysaver. All the best to you and hope it works out.

reVox

Post by **mvsuzr** » 10 Nov 2009, 19:36

Update from March 2009:

Been almost 8 months and 10,000 miles since XeModex installed.

Only two problems I've had so far is some surging on a cold engine, and a drop in power on higher rpms under fast acceleration.

Personally, I think both problems are not directly related to the ETM, but it's not been bothersome enough to investigate. Yet.

Overall satisfaction with this is very high. I might have had Volvo change mine under warranty, chose to go ahead a get the better unit, have had no regrets. 'way better design...

These are great units, but they're not going to solve every performance problem. There's just too many components that interact with each other, they can produce (or even mask) symptoms of a bad part.
And, it's still a mechanical part, it's going to eventually get gummed up, stick, or wear out.

Hang in there guys.

XeMODeX ETM- Who has had it done?

Re: XeMODeX ETM- Who has had it done?