Posted by OurVolvo.com on Jan 25, 2012 in 1999 Volvo V70
This post deals with detecting problems in your ETM (Electronic Throttle Module) manufactured by Magneti Marelli (Fiat) for Volvo between 1999 and 2001.
A few years back, VOLVO denied the problem and did NOT recall the part, but extended the warranty to 10 years or 200, 000 miles (whichever comes first). So, in most cases you are out of luck for the warranty. Don Willson at VEXEDvolvo.org has put a list of all affected Volvo models as follows:
White label means your ETM is original and has not been replaced by Volvo and/or the previous owner
All Volvo dealers we contacted were aware of the problem. They all said it could be fixed for around $1,000 after a mandatory two-hour inspection at the dealership at a cost of $89 per hour (Volvo of Chattanooga), $99 per hour (Clayton Volvo of Knoxville) or $105 per hour (Dyer & Dyer Volvo of Chamblee, GA).
However, generally Volvo dealers put the same model ETM part during repair, which causes the same problem after a while. You can purchase the same part manufactured in Canada with already preloaded software and the necessary warranty at: xemodex.com (Thanks for the recommendation by Don Willson at VEXEDvolvo.org)
Apparently, you can get the ETM for your Volvo from any online auto-part store located in Europe even cheaper, but you will need Volvo to load the software on it, which they most probably will not do for you. At least, not for free, judging from their prices above.
You can watch the video bellow of a Volvo with ETM problem and use the following PDF chart to diagnose your ETM. (Chart courtesy of Chris at xemodex.com – Thank you!)
A very, very special “Thank You!” goes also to Rob from VolvoTips.com, who helped us with our engine’s condition remotely.
Chris has shared a video of a Volvo with ETM problem on YouTube. He said that Volvo dealer
“just cleaned the throttle body and upgraded software which reduces the sensitivity of the light but only really masks the problem, I’m living with it as the light only comes on for 5 miles out of every 50-100 now. Should have pushed harder for a replacement but its too late…”
Posted by OurVolvo.com on Jan 20, 2012 in 1999 Volvo V70
Well I tried! I couldn’t get the radio working and it said OFF when turned on.
So I call “my local Volvo dealer” :). And ask for the Volvo radio code. It was either that or bringing it to their service department which charge $105 per hour. So I got the code for the radio for MY VOLVO after giving them the VIN number.
So now you are asking well, how did you get the radio to display “CODE” instead of “OFF” so you can even enter the code they just gave you. And I’m glad you asked.
STEP 1: Leave the key in the ignition in position I (one – with the door open in case it locks on you)
STEP 2: Wait for 2 – 2 1/2 hours
STEP 3: Enter CORRECT code – you have 3 tries or it will lock again. You know you have entered incorrect code when it displays EEEEE.
So I enter the code the dealer gave me that is associated with my VIN number and I get EEEEE 3 times and it locks. Hummm…. So I called back the Volvo Dealer of Memphis who were exceptionally nice again and they tell me how to pull out my radio and get the serial number and part number so they can give me the correct code because it appeared the radio had been changed.
After taking the radio out (by pushing in the 2 little handles on the sides which pop out) I see that it is a remanufactured part and they give me the correct code. I wait 2 1/2 more hours, enter the code and I’m good to go listening to the Music in The Air. I love that song.
Again, THANK YOU VOLVO OF MEMPHIS. Your service department was extra kind and helpful.
Posted by OurVolvo.com on Jan 15, 2012 in 1999 Volvo V70
Detecting a problem with the brake lights on 1999 Volvo V 70 Classic (North American Edition) is easy, especially with the help of our friends at http://www.volvotips.com/
If your light bulbs and fuse are OK, the problem is most probably the self adjustable brake light switch located at the top of your brake pedal. The problem in 99% of cases is there and not in your relay. BTW on the North American Classic model the relay is NOT in the trunk compartment (neither left nor right side, since they are empty) but behind your radio. Start messing with the relay ONLY if you are sure, the problem is not in the (1) fuse, (2) bulbs or (3) the switch.
The brake light switch on the 1999 Volvo V 70 is a fairly simple device fabricated by Volvo to activate your brake light when the pedal is pressed and deactivates when the pedal is not pressed, in which position the pedal and the switch actually touch.
The most probable reasons why your switch is failing, is the small white cylinder which provides the adjustable part of the switch. Often, if you press on the pedal with one hand, you can adjust the white adjustable cylinder with your other hand for a (temporary) fix.
In most cases, however, the small tracks on which the white cylindrical adjuster moves ware out and cannot be restored. The safest thing to do is order a new one at about $40-50 at any auto part store. We got ours at Advanced Auto Parts which has always been helpful in diagnosing our problems. The replacement of the switch is shown on the following picture (and yes, it is possible to remove the switch without breaking it):
It is also possible to take the switch apart. In our situation, the switch had started to fuse together at the two metal points which provide the actual contact for the electric circuit. Yes, you could brush it and clean it to be reused, but do you really want to do that at the risk of your brake lights not working (which BTW is illegal to drive with in North America).
Posted by OurVolvo.com on Jan 10, 2012 in 1999 Volvo V70
We’ve seen this car on the internet a few days ago and had planned to go see it as an alternative option. When Sean Auto (Duluth, GA) and OnlineCars.com failed to furnish their promise for the reason of false advertisement, and Nalley’s Toyota of Roswell would not give us the time of the day, we decided to stop at Palmer Dodge across the street.
Sure enough, among the beautiful V10 Vipers they had a very nice, well kept and maintained, 1999 V70 at only 84,000 miles. With the exception of one small dent on the driver side fender, both the exterior and interior of this car had been kept in pristine condition. It had the same 2.4l 5 cylinder engine and automatic 4-gear with overdrive transmission as our old 940, which the spring tornado of 2011 retired forever at 274,000 miles.
So, when all hope was almost gone, the legend continues.
This post is an ad of gratitude toward a great customer care and professionalism of Palmer Dodge. If you are looking for a good deal (Dodge especially) Scott and Buddy at Palmer Dodge are the people to go see. I guarantee you nothing else but great service.
So we take the journey to Roswell, GA over a 100 mile drive, because of all of the listings for Volvos for sale there. Here is our story.
Before we called each location with all of the BUYER SMART QUESTIONS and were assured there are no problems with the VOLVOs we were interested in.
But when actually getting to the dealers the picture was greatly different.
FOR SALE BY OWNER: 2001 Volvo v70 with 105K miles good care – $5600 (Roswell). Listed on craiglist. When we got there the Volvo was running and then when we asked to shut it off and start it up ourselves it wouldn’t start. The title was not even in this guys name – George from Georgia the country not the state.
SEAN AUTO SALES Located in Duluth, GA but foreign owned and operated (no prejudice here, just stating the facts)had a beautiful ad of2002 Volvo V70 Cross Country AWD $4,777. This car had white smoke coming out from both engine and muffler (an obvious oil burning turbo problem) and obviously been in a wreck although the seller said that there was a “clean” title and it was not a salvage vehicle. Yet, it was – all right side panels had been poorly replaced as well the interior. After pointing everything out to seller, he still would not clear say if the car had been wrecked. After looking at most cars on the lot, they all had some type of (poor quality) body work. BUYER BEWARE!
CARONLINE.COM: (located a few miles down the road, also foreign operated) had a Volvo V70 for $3500. The car had a very bad interior and the air did not work AT ALL, although they said everything was in perfect working order we we telephoned them before making a 2 1/2 hour drive. The car was not even at their car lot and they brought jumper cables when they went to pick it up. When we told the salesman we would just go to the “other lot” to see the car, he told us we could not because the “other lot” sales manager gets mad when he brings outside customers over. BUYER BEWARE! [BTW their website does not even work – should have known right there not to mess with them]
NALLEY TOYOTA OF ROSWELL: An used 1999 Volvo V70 Cross Country was posted for sale by this dealership. We called on the phone when we were 30 minutes out and they confirmed, that they still have it. When we got there the car was not even on the lot and we were told they had sold it to an auction company (in the past 30min. I guess).
They were not personally involved and customer service was lacking. This included 4 salesmen behind a computer, 3 salesmen on the sales floor, and 2 secretaries talking to each other and on the phone at the same time. The only 1 guy who would even talk to use was a mechanic from their service department. Sorry – not buying a car there if they would not even give us the time of the day!
The brake light switch on the 1999 Volvo V 70 is a fairly simple device fabricated by Volvo to activate your brake light when the pedal is pressed and deactivates when the pedal is not pressed, in which position the pedal and the switch actually touch.
