Uneven Idle

**monkey_boy** · Tuesday 20th June 2006, 10:48

My 2000 C70 T5 has a similar problem only much more pronounced (its booked into Volvo for a service so wasnt too worried) But mine fluctuates from stalling speed (600 rpm) to 1000rpm. However the drive is fine its just the idle so i am not sure its the ECM. just out of interest Saffron C70 where did you get the polybush torgue bar mount? Polybush dont list one (although their sketch shows it) My original was shagged and i bought one from eurocar parts (original replacement) but typically the new one was too small! Had to pack it out as a temp fix. I fancied a spangly yellow poly one anyhow

**Wobbly Dave** · Tuesday 20th June 2006, 10:59

Idle does move slightly when the aircon is on. Just be sure it isnt that.

I'd get the uprate OEM top mount. Not as noisy as a poly but more reliable - but I do prefer the quiet

**SaffronC70** · Tuesday 20th June 2006, 11:25

Originally Posted by monkey_boy

My 2000 C70 T5 has a similar problem only much more pronounced (its booked into Volvo for a service so wasnt too worried) But mine fluctuates from stalling speed (600 rpm) to 1000rpm. However the drive is fine its just the idle so i am not sure its the ECM. just out of interest Saffron C70 where did you get the polybush torgue bar mount? Polybush dont list one (although their sketch shows it) My original was shagged and i bought one from eurocar parts (original replacement) but typically the new one was too small! Had to pack it out as a temp fix. I fancied a spangly yellow poly one anyhow

Mine used to fluctuate to stalling speed as well occasionally.

My idle doesn't even shift with the aircon cutting in now.

My poly bush is the large version from Kalmar-union.com (make sure you ask for the ME7 version!); installation, for me, was easy, just needed basic tools and the bush fitted in with BFF (brute force factor).

Chris

**SaffronC70** · Tuesday 20th June 2006, 11:36

Originally Posted by Frisbee78

Hi all

Another thing: is there an idle control valve on a ME7 turbo engine? I think the ETM makes it redundant, but want to check.

Seb

No it doesn't, the ETM reguates idle

Chris

**monkey_boy** · Tuesday 20th June 2006, 13:22

Excuse me for being a bit dim, but i am not looking under my bonnet at the moment. So the two valves to check in the photo are the one closer to the front panel and the one closer to the bulkhead? Arethey simple pull off push on valves?

**SaffronC70** · Tuesday 20th June 2006, 14:04

Originally Posted by monkey_boy

Excuse me for being a bit dim, but i am not looking under my bonnet at the moment. So the two valves to check in the photo are the one closer to the front panel and the one closer to the bulkhead? Arethey simple pull off push on valves?

Yeah (the middle one is the one I added) - the one close to the bulkhead is just a connection to the inlet pipe - pull this off and you should be able to suck on it, but not blow.

Chris

**Frisbee78** · Thursday 22nd June 2006, 12:12

Hi all,
I just wanted to let you all know that I took the car to Volvo to get the software upgrade (that's free) and now the engine idles fine at 900 rpm (on the dash). I don't know what this software upgrade does exactly but there you go...

Seb

**rgracin** · Thursday 22nd June 2006, 12:29

What software upgrade??

**SaffronC70** · Thursday 22nd June 2006, 12:54

Hi

Did you notice a difference in throttle response ?

Chris

**monkey_boy** · Friday 23rd June 2006, 08:30

has anyone got a photo of the ETM in situ? Whats the difference between the early T5's and later ones where the ETM isnt so much of an issue (build quality of the ETM?)

**SaffronC70** · Friday 23rd June 2006, 08:37

The ETM is an electronic throttle module with steppep motors and electronics to control its position. The eariler T5s have a classic throttle cable and butterfly setup - nothing can really go wrong with these (the earlier cars don't have an ETM just to clarify).

HTH

Chris

**Frisbee78** · Friday 23rd June 2006, 23:09

Originally Posted by SaffronC70

Hi

Did you notice a difference in throttle response ?

Chris

I only had the car for 3 weeks mainly driving in city and cruising on motorway, so I haven't really noticed any difference.
However, it is easier to drive in slow city traffic as the idle is now steady.

Seb

**Frisbee78** · Friday 23rd June 2006, 23:33

Originally Posted by rgracin

What software upgrade??

Volvo has released a software upgrade in April I think to allegedly prevent wear and failure in the ETM modules of some 98-02 cars (call Volvo customer support to find if your car is affected). I have no idea how a new software can reduce the wear of the ETM, but these salespersons seems to think it's possible... If an engineer could shed some light on that one, it would be greatly appreciated :p

Anyway, I called the Volvo customer support about my suspected ETM problem. They advised to get the ETM properly diagnosed, changed (or repaired) if necesarry, and then get the software upgrade to prevent wear in the new unit (right). But I took the car to my local dealer to have the software upgraded first, on the off chance that the new version would fix my idling problem. Since it's free for me as I have one of those ETMs, I had nothing to lose.
I have no idea what they did exactly since it's all done behind closed doors (frustrating for me as I like to know what is done to my cars) but when I came to collect it, it was idling fine. I can only assume that the new software controls the idle a bit better than the stock version I presume I had.

I wonder what would happen if I were to get a RICA upgrade... Adam, any thought?

Seb

**Frisbee78** · Friday 23rd June 2006, 23:41

Originally Posted by monkey_boy

has anyone got a photo of the ETM in situ? Whats the difference between the early T5's and later ones where the ETM isnt so much of an issue (build quality of the ETM?)

Here is a page with a pic of the ETM in situ: http://home.comcast.net/~donwillson/tech_info.html

Seb

**Blewis** · Thursday 13th July 2006, 00:54

So was this "Software Upgrade" on a UK volvo at a UK dealer?

They swore blind to me that it hadn't been released yet.......

**akky** · Thursday 13th July 2006, 09:20

interesting thread guys, just got my new black v70t5 2000 plate and just noticed the same problem. So if I read correctly a call to my friendly volvo dealer mentioning this problem, and i might get a freebee upgrade solving it.

pics will follow once I've spent 6 weeks doing a mr miage on it. Black looks soooo good when waxed well.

so if any members see a black t5 in sunny bournemouth, let me know.

Steve

**monkey_boy** · Thursday 13th July 2006, 12:50

That explains everything! Its bloody Italian electronics!

**MisterLister** · Thursday 13th July 2006, 12:58

I have a 98 V70 T5 auto; i brought it 3 years ago, had some teething problems at first with rough idle, the lamda sensors, maf and etm where replaced by the dealer which cured the problem. i now have the same problem (23,000 miles later) but here is the twist in the tale.
while the idle goes up (1200rpm) and down (600rpm) like a yoyo while in N or P; i can select any other gear and the idle will hold at 850rpm.

i have had a look at the pipes and resealed a couple of suspect joints.

any ideas to fix this