erratic idle, sometimes

Post by **shiloh51933** » 21 Feb 2011, 07:55

It's snowing again in NY and now I'm gonna have to wait cause I don't have a garage to work inside today. I got a couple of things going on besides this but this obviously is number 1 on the list. Power steering pump is making winding sound and the SAS is still showing trouble code after replacing check valve, solenoid and the other valve in the skinny tubing. I'm buggin' right now that I can't bo out there to do this.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 26 Feb 2011, 15:10

jblackburn wrote:Give it a shot - you don't want to throw $100 at a part you don't need. The rear one doesn't do anything but monitor the efficiency of the catalytic converter, so you will throw a code but it won't do anything in the meantime.

Once again jblackburn your on the money...after finally clearing the secondary air injection system code the O2 sensor code popped up like you suggested. I was getting ready to switch the O2 after finishing everything else I have been doing, the SAS being one of many and after clearing everything then starting her up a few times/driving a little bit to pull the O2 sensor DTC from scanner. I'm ordering one from FCP Groton, I like there speedy service and the quality of there Volvo parts. I would just like to add that you really know the vehicles well, I'm more of a Ford/Nissan guy but I'm starting to become a Volvo guy...Good Look Kid.

Post by **jblackburn** » 26 Feb 2011, 23:51

A lot of it's just lucky guesswork.

Make sure to put some anti-seize on the threads of the new O2 sensor.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 27 Feb 2011, 06:08

jblackburn wrote:
A lot of it's just lucky guesswork.

Make sure to put some anti-seize on the threads of the new O2 sensor.

Your not lying about that, my best guess was to clear the SAS code first to get the code to your best guess work cause it all made sense. I had good spark,good fuel pressure but she was runnin' too rich= bad O2 sensor and when you suggested this I worked until I cleared the SAS then it was right there on my scanner screen, good look my dude.

Pcar · Post by **Pcar** » 02 Mar 2011, 13:12

Success !!! I have a '99 xc70 that had an erratic idle for the past 3 months. Sometimes as much as 1000 rpm variation in park or neutral once the car was warmed up . Did a tune up ,cleaned the MAF to no avail . Took it to Volvo and they said a new throttle body ( $1200 ) was needed. So I took it to an independent to have my throttle cleaned as suggested by this site. The car now purrs like a kitten and the idle is as stable as a rock. Thank you all who made suggestions . You saved me a $1000. And now a warning to all those like me who are new to this site. Do your research , ask questions and try all the simple inexpensive suggestions first. Members of this forum have been very gracious with there advice and I really appreciate it. The irony is if I had taken Volvos word for it and changed my throttle body ,it would have fixed the problem and they would have said " We were right, you did need a new throttle body" , when all it needed was a cleaning.

Thanks again , Mike

Post by **shiloh51933** » 02 Mar 2011, 17:47

Pcar wrote:Success !!! I have a '99 xc70 that had an erratic idle for the past 3 months. Sometimes as much as 1000 rpm variation in park or neutral once the car was warmed up . Did a tune up ,cleaned the MAF to no avail . Took it to Volvo and they said a new throttle body ( $1200 ) was needed. So I took it to an independent to have my throttle cleaned as suggested by this site. The car now purrs like a kitten and the idle is as stable as a rock. Thank you all who made suggestions . You saved me a $1000. And now a warning to all those like me who are new to this site. Do your research , ask questions and try all the simple inexpensive suggestions first. Members of this forum have been very gracious with there advice and I really appreciate it. The irony is if I had taken Volvos word for it and changed my throttle body ,it would have fixed the problem and they would have said " We were right, you did need a new throttle body" , when all it needed was a cleaning.

Thanks again , Mike

I always try to resolve issues without purchasing parts, unfortunatly things don't always work out the way you would like them to work. Good to hear you took some suggestions before letting some hack jerk you for your dough.