ETS problem

[EFDC70]

Have a C70 convertible petrol car (C70 20V LPT AUTO), obtained recently from a friend, who has looked after it very well (does a lot of his own maintenance, no advisories on several previous MOTs).

The ETS light started coming on, intermittently, but now most times when driven. Sometimes engine management light as well. When the light does come on, sometimes goes into what appears to be a limp mode, where little response to pedal, and therefore, if I am going uphill, it won't increase speed and I might be stuck doing 10-25 mph, depending on which gear I am in. Sometimes switching off and waiting five minutes may reset this, sometimes the lights go out as well. Usually, the lights are not on first thing in the morning, or after having been not driven for a while. (Note the word 'sometimes' appears for every statement above, but the car won't drive for very long without something happening).

Had a local (non-Volvo) garage read the fault codes with a basic reader, which come up with throttle sensor 1 and 2 fault. Would replacing the throttle body be likely to solve this? Have found a part with the number the same except the last two after the dash - is this important? I am not really a technical person and have limited tools myself, but my friend and others know a bit more. It appears, hunting through the history, that the throttle body was replaced circa 2014-5. Are there any other likely cheap things to try that could solve it?

[scot850]

Welcome to MVS!

This is a common and well known issue with the 99- versions of the P80 chassis Volvos. Units were Magna Marelli? and very prone to failure even early on. They can be repaired. Over here a company called Xemodex repairs and update there units for a price and give a lifetime warranty for the owner that has it repaired.

Basic issue is there are 2 position sensors that use a small contact needle that wipes on a carbon pad. Over time that wears out and you get the issues you are seeing.

What Xemodex does is replaces the sensor with contact-less ones so they should not wear out again.

There are lots of threads here on the problems, you will more likely find them under ETM issues (Electronic Throttle Module).

These units are programmed to your model of car. So if the programming is damaged you will have to have it re-programmed.

I am sure there are companies in the UK that also do this type of repair. I have seen Wheeler Dealers having units repaired with the same issue for other manufacturers.

A company called Sacer used to supply the sensors and you can do the repair yourself depending on your level of confidence. There are references out there on how to do this.

If you can find a unit for the same exact model as your they can be changed over but must be an exact match. Volvo did have a repair program that the units have a yellow label so if you can find one of those it may save you some money.

Good Luck.

Neil.