2001 V70T5 DSTC Service Required - Engine Stall/Limp Mode

perkinsfmly · Post by **perkinsfmly** » 24 Dec 2017, 14:23

I've had progressively increasing symptoms over the last couple months on my 2001 Volvo V70 T5 / 150k miles.

- Started out with a DSTC Service Required message and the car starting for about 3 seconds and then dying. Then it would crank, but would not start for a couple days. This happened 5-6 times over the course of about 3 months.
- Now while the car is running the DSTC Service Required message and the DSTC trouble light will come on and the car seems to go into a Limp Mode -- one gear available (2nd?). When I turn the engine off and back on the DSTC Service Required will go out, but shortly thereafter come back on.
- This has gotten progressively worse. I left the car with the Volvo dealership for 3 weeks and they were unable to get the car to duplicate the original behavior. Guess I'll have to bring it back to the dealership...
- Anyone have any idea what the problem could be?

Post by **jonesg** » 25 Dec 2017, 00:07

perkinsfmly wrote: ↑24 Dec 2017, 14:23 Guess I'll have to bring it back to the dealership...
- Anyone have any idea what the problem could be?

Did they pull any codes?

Post by **abscate** » 25 Dec 2017, 04:34

Your 2001 uses a first generation electronic throttle body which has a life of roughly 150k miles , but if it fails it should store codes in the ECU. You will have to have codes read in limp mode to confirm.

Post by **oragex** » 25 Dec 2017, 07:55

As above, at least ask them what were the codes.

A thing about the dealership. Saying 'we didn't find anything' may well mean they are not sure what the problem is and don't want to make you pay thousands for a new throttle body or some computer then have the car still doing the same thing. In some way, they are being honest because most dealerships will joyfully make you pay thousands with no results and no refund.

Go slowly when diagnosing this issue, the worst is to let a mechanic replace parts to see if it works.

Is your car the cross country awd model by chance?

perkinsfmly · Post by **perkinsfmly** » 18 Feb 2019, 18:17

1.5 years and I'm still struggling with this same problem. 2001 Volvo V70 periodically gets a DSTC Service Required message and will not start (cranks, but won't start). Sometimes when I'm driving the car the message will come on and the car goes into limp mode.

I've had it at the dealer twice for about 2-3 weeks each time. They tell me they can't get it to repeat the problem and they're not reading any codes. In fact, the dealer tells me the VIDA system won't even read codes connected with this problem. (Maybe I need to find another dealer.) I took the car to an independent European auto repair shop that specializes in Volvos. They said they did find codes -- didn't quote me the exact code, but said it indicated communication faults between maybe the ECM and SEM? Suggestion from this shop was to reload software in both computers (~$400) which might work. If not, they would replace wiring harness (~$600) which might work. Then they said replace both computers...lots of $$$.

I think I'm about ready to get rid of this car. I hate to buy a new car, but I simply can't rely on this one and having it sit around in my driveway is doing me no good.

Post by **chrism** » 18 Feb 2019, 21:34

Has anybody tried unlocking the ECM and TCM, cleaning the contacts and re-installing? Both the dealer and the independent should have the lock/unlock tool.

Post by **abscate** » 19 Feb 2019, 02:18

Xmodex will rebuild the CEM for about $500 , Henry can clone your ECM for about $200 ( user doublebug here)

That shop wasn't too helpful giving generic info, you need the actual codes.

Maybe we've got a member nearby with VIDA who can help you get this put right?

perkinsfmly · Post by **perkinsfmly** » 23 Feb 2019, 10:11

I got a code reader that will see the Volvo codes. I'm getting the following: CEM-1A5D, CEM-1A62, CEM-1C01

Those are the stored codes. Right now the car is starting/running fine. But I will eventually get a DSTC Service Required message and a crank/no start.

deano1 · Post by **deano1** » 29 Apr 2019, 17:02

My newly acquired 2001 V70 T5 is showing "DSTC service required" in the message box but the car runs and drives fine.
Maybe I should mention the PO recently installed new ETM.
I used my Autel to pull codes today and A002 or something about "side accelerator" fault. I cleared it but it came back with the first key cycle.
Any ideas?
Stay curious my friends

Post by **abscate** » 29 Apr 2019, 18:44

DSTC uses both braking and the electronic throttle body to limit power to the wheels for both traction and slip control

An intermittent service message is probably either wiring or the module.

Don’t trust the AUTEL translated codes, read off the real ones and then use either VIDA OR the web to translate