1999 S70 "AWD" Rescue Thread

[abscate]

Ah, the reason for the junker. Get onto Volvo web and find the compatible cars, then seek out the Southern donor for that rear carrier. Cheap, bolts on, and will restore your ride

[bmdubya1198]

Thinking I'm going to need a parts car to swap the rear end out of. Everything back here is so rusty. Totally different from the front half.

That is aluminum and it's bent, so really not sure what can be done about it. I think most shops would refuse to weld it.

I think that's your best option too. I couldn't remember if the rear subframe was steel or aluminum.

[WhatAmIDoing]

So, needed some small victories after the big disappointing weekend. Since I already had the parts, I replaced the nasty cabin air filter and the sparkplugs. Here's a pic of the disgusting cabin air filter.

old cabin air filter

Felt like it weighed at least 10 pounds.

After quite a bit of effort, I removed the old spark plugs. Was surprised to find dual ground NGK R plugs inside.

old sparkplugs

Replaced with Bosch FR7DC+ copper plugs gapped to ~.029". This took way more effort than it probably should have. Had to use a big pair of channel-locks to regap the plugs because the grounds must have titanium cores or something. Sparkplugs 3, 4, and 5 came out easy. Probably had something to do with the two tablespoons of oil sitting in the sparkplug holes.On a side note, also replaced the oil cap gasket. Spark plugs 1 and 2 were damn stubborn but I got them out eventually. She idles beautifully now and runs a lot smoother; however, the unscientific butt-dyno feels as though she lost some pep above 4k rpm. On the plus side, it would appear my daily commute has gained 4mpg (with A/C on), will update later.

Protip #1: If you are unfortunate enough to drop something small down the sparkplug tube and do not have a small magnet handy, Stick a piece of duct tape sticky side out on the end of a screwdriver. Works just as well.

Protip #2: Here's how to remove very stubborn sparkplugs. Spray a little penetrating oil down the spark plug hole. Put the boot back on and take the vehicle for a quick drive to warm it up. Now try removing the plug (caution: everything will be hot now). If still stubborn, add a very generous amount of penetrating oil to the spark plug hole and wait about an hour, but not so long that the engine cools down. Now try removing. If still stubborn, grab an 8 to 12inch 3/8 drive ratchet. Position in such a way that you are pulling with both hands. Remove everything from the crash zone, because you will fall on your butt when it breaks loose. Now lean back slowly until you put your full weight on it. Give it some time, and eventually it should break loose (at least that's what it took to do mine). Soak up the oil before removing the plug, unless you like fogging out your neighbors.

[bmdubya1198]

Don't worry, you're not the only one that kept getting beat down this weekend! I was trying to get VIDA back up and running all day yesterday... I think an update on my laptop killed it. Tried fixing some registry entries and then I got a "root element missing" error. I uninstalled everything and reinstalled it and now I can't get VIDA monitor to start. It just disappears when I hover the cursor over it. Ugh... I can't even start working on the S60 until I get it working.
Plus the XC90 has a CEL for cat efficiency below threshold. Perfect timing after replacing the tires, tie rods, and control arms. I think that was a random misfire after moderate acceleration that caused that. The plugs are pretty nasty and I have a new Volvo set on the shelf, but I don't want to replace them until I replace the leaky valve cover and timing cover gaskets.
I'll also have to bring it back to the alignment place so they can get the alignment specs a little closer to the Swedespeed recommendations. It drives fine, but the camber is slightly off and the rear toe is too far in for my liking. Those 19" tires ain't cheap!

Otherwise, I got my parts washer working with a $7 Harbor Freight fountain pump, so that's great! I can finally clean off all the oily parts I have lying around!

[WhatAmIDoing]

Fuel economy has taken a dump. Took a highway trip and only got 22mpg (was averaging 28). Reset the ECU and performed the relearn procedure, but fuel economy still sucks.

Really need to get cruise control working. Been searching around, but haven't found a wiring diagram or anything that explains how CC works on the 99-00 Volvos. May take up abscate's offer for a free turn signal / cc stalk and see if it's just the switch. Vida shows no codes except for small evap leak.

[abscate]

Fuel economy has taken a dump. Took a highway trip and only got 22mpg (was averaging 28). Reset the ECU and performed the relearn procedure, but fuel economy still sucks.

Really need to get cruise control working. Been searching around, but haven't found a wiring diagram or anything that explains how CC works on the 99-00 Volvos. May take up abscate's offer for a free turn signal / cc stalk and see if it's just the switch. Vida shows no codes except for small evap leak.

On a 99- cc failure is either the switch or the ECU has inhibited cc due to an ECM cod, no other components.

[bmdubya1198]

There's no relay on the '99+, is there? I know I had to replace the relay on my '98 to get my cruise working, but I know the '99 operates differently.

[callahanoffroad]

That cabin air filter.... To quote Niles Crane "You ONLY change your cabin air filter every six months!?"

[bmdubya1198]

That cabin air filter.... To quote Niles Crane "You ONLY change your cabin air filter every six months!?"

That reminds me... my '98 is due for a new one!

[abscate]

There's no relay on the '99+, is there? I know I had to replace the relay on my '98 to get my cruise working, but I know the '99 operates differently.

No relay because there is nothing to “power up”

All the throttle positioning is done in software so no vacuum pump m hoses, throttle linkage.

When you enable cruise, the ME7 software just drives the ETM to constant speed instead of closed loop on the throttle pedal position,