Xemodex success with 2nd try; great service from Xemodex

RustyH · Post by **RustyH** » 03 Mar 2010, 20:28

I thought this deserved it's own posting since I wanted to make a couple of points about the Xemodex replacement ETM.
Vehicle: 2000 S70 non-turbo, bought new, my wife's
Mileage 103,500 miles
The ETM I replaced was the original. It had not failed. My wife and I didn't like the idea of ever experiencing limp-home mode, so I considered this a preventative maintenance project. I figured it was on borrowed time.
The only symptom I had was a drop below 800 rpm when coming to a stop. Engine would shudder for a second, then back to 800 rpm. It's been doing that for probably a couple of years.
I liked the idea of an "improved" replacement part, so I have been reading about Xemodex's ETM for a while. I waited until my Volvo 10 yr warranty expired.

My ETM cable was placed behind the starter. After staring at my radiator shroud with all the cables, etc... I decided I would let someone else take the cable out from behind the starter. (I can do a few things on cars--oil changes, filters, spark plugs, clean ETM, change transmission fluid), but I had never removed a starter. I use my local tire shop mechanic for all sorts of things. He looked underneath the vehicle to study the starter and bracket, and all he did was loosen the starter bracket and he was able to re-route and zip tie the cable. Took all of 10 min. Did not require removal of radiator shroud.

I called Chris (Xemodex) and ordered the replacement ETM. I really like the idea of receiving a new one and then replacing it rather than removing the old one, sending it and then receiving it back updated, particularly since we don't have an extra vehicle. Well, the first one didn't work. Car started with wild fluctuating revs initally at 2500-3000 rpm, then settled down to a wildly fluctuating idle around 1200. Car was not driveable. Pulled the new one out, put the old back in so my wife had her car to drive. (on a non-turbo, this takes 10 min. or less). Communicated with Chris. He was apologetic, but should not have been. I was thinking about the following, but didn't mention it when I ordered the ETM. I save all my receipts for service. We had two software uploads on this vehicle. Campaign 155 was the service update for the ETM that I guess everyone received.

1. Campaign 155 was performed 4/18/2006, 74050 miles (the specific service was 30785451 ETM/ECM P UPGR)

2. We had an intermittent starting problem prior to that. Volvo performed service 30677005 ECM PETROL UPG summer 2005, at 68436 miles which solved the problem.

Once Chris knew about item 2, he was able to locate the software and downloaded another ETM and shipped it overnight! Installed it and it worked!

My immediate observations on the new ETM:
1. Idle remains at 800 rpm. There is no drop or shudder when coming to a stop.
2. Acceleration is nice and smooth, seems better with new unit, but I'm waiting for my wife's verdict.

I'm very pleased with this purchase. Great customer service from Xemodex.

whippingtazz · Post by **whippingtazz** » 14 Mar 2010, 22:04

Just curious, is Xemodex programing the ETM prior to sending it to you? I was under the impression that these needed to be programed to the ECU.

Thanks

RustyH · Post by **RustyH** » 18 Mar 2010, 20:17

Yes, the Xemodex ETM comes to you already downloaded with the software. My mistake was that I didn't tell Chris that I had another software "repair" in addition to the Campaign 155. So, once he knew that, he sent me a new unit downloaded with all the correct software and it worked.

traveader · Post by **traveader** » 02 Jun 2010, 23:44

RustyH wrote:Yes, the Xemodex ETM comes to you already downloaded with the software. My mistake was that I didn't tell Chris that I had another software "repair" in addition to the Campaign 155. So, once he knew that, he sent me a new unit downloaded with all the correct software and it worked.

Does that mean you have to tell XeMoDex the history of the software upgrade, otherwise they would not know and hence there might be a problem? I am curious because I just bought a XeMODex ETM and am waiting to see whether it solves the ETS light problem my car has been having. I just provided the VIN number and did not tell them anything about the software upgrade. In fact though I am aware that it was upgraded once before, I don't know when exactly.