1999 xc70 fuel pump issues

cindiana · Post by **cindiana** » 08 Jun 2011, 04:30

I am in fuel pump hell. My fuel pump died a few months ago. Had a new pump put in, made a lot of noise, then it died too, after a few weeks. Seems that a ground wire was the issue, but in the process had a new crossover pump put in. Had a new fuel pump put in and car ran fine for a few days. When I went ot pick it up after the second failure the ETS light was on, but we figured it was from all the work, connections and disconnections during the repair, because then it went off and car ran fine. Yesterday I started the car, it stalled and the lights came on, but I thought maybe I hit the gas pedal and it poofed out. Then after a few more errands I was coming home and the arrow for winter diriving came on and the car died. The fuel pump was not working.
The car runs fine, no hesitating at any speeds, but then the arrow lights up and the car dies within a few seconds. And the fuel pump does not work at all.
I ended up getting a new Volvo last week. But I work as a gardener, and I depend on this car for work and for my daughter (new driver) to drive.
I read that if the alternator is not fully charging then it can cause this kind of failure with the ETS, I don't know if this is the what is happening as my car starts right up and runs fine. However a few months ago I thought the battery was dying and took it to the store where I bought it. They checked the alternator and said that it a few ??? in the alternator were not working. But have not had the light come or anything like that.
My mechanic and I would greatly appreciate any information.
I live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest Volvo dealer. My mechanic works on many Volvos as there are so many in this area, and the drive is long to a dealer.

I know this post is long and rambling, but I am trying to give complete information.

Post by **Xilikon** » 08 Jun 2011, 10:13

I don't have a answer to your issue but I do have a question tho : Did you cut a access to the fuel pump or disassembled the whole rear to drop the tank ? I have a 2000 XC70 and I need to check the fuel pump area so I'm curious about your own experience.

cindiana · Post by **cindiana** » 08 Jun 2011, 11:57

I showed my mechanic the link from this site about the location of the fuel pump. He cut in and got to it that way. However, the tank was full and gas got everywhere! He and the other guy had to get new shoes, and my car smelled like gas for a while. Just go slowly and make your cuts only as deep as necessary. He just cut 3 sides and so it is kind of like a door, good thing because he has had to access it several times. For some reason, the new fuel pump did not get correctly grounded. Now, I don't know what is wrong. But he will figure it out. He got an OEM pump from Volvo, with labor it was under $600. There is a gasket or seal that goes in that was not included with the pump, so make sure you get that, it is separate. Pump was guaranteed, so new pump was free, but again they sent it without a gasket/seal/o-ring thing.

Post by **Xilikon** » 08 Jun 2011, 12:18

cindiana wrote:I showed my mechanic the link from this site about the location of the fuel pump. He cut in and got to it that way. However, the tank was full and gas got everywhere! He and the other guy had to get new shoes, and my car smelled like gas for a while. Just go slowly and make your cuts only as deep as necessary. He just cut 3 sides and so it is kind of like a door, good thing because he has had to access it several times. For some reason, the new fuel pump did not get correctly grounded. Now, I don't know what is wrong. But he will figure it out. He got an OEM pump from Volvo, with labor it was under $600. There is a gasket or seal that goes in that was not included with the pump, so make sure you get that, it is separate. Pump was guaranteed, so new pump was free, but again they sent it without a gasket/seal/o-ring thing.

Thanks, that's the way I will go for mine since I have a slow leak from around the fuel pump area and there is a worm drive gear around the fuel pump ring (I believe they did the ghetto way instead of putting the gasket properly).

cindiana · Post by **cindiana** » 08 Jun 2011, 13:09

The o-ring/seal i spretty small, I was expecting something more substantial. That was a strange thing for them to do. I hope it works for you. Once you make the door, you can just duct tape it shut in case there are further problems. My guy didn't want to weld it with all the fumes-could have blown up Maine! If your tank is less than half full, I don't think there will be the 'flood' issue. Last time I got it back te tank was only down by 8 gallons.