ETM cleaning

[T-5ones]

Been to the stealers and had codes read and recall issues sorted. Was recommended to have the throttle body cleaned and software updated for the ETM.

I have had a brief check up on the issue and (I think) volvo will pay for the software update after they have cleaned the throttle body, twice, under the extended warranty. But this is for cars under 100K - Arse! Was quoted about £100 for the job.

So to cut a long story short... Anyone taken the etm off and cleaned it themselves? If so, how easy a job is it to get to?

[Vikingxl]

I know wobbly was taking a look at one a while back if thats any help

[dreadly]

I cleaned one with a can of carb cleaner spray, but it shagged up!

I'm no mechanic!

[Wobbly Dave]

cleaning them will not make any difference as it is the potentiometers at either end that go wrong. Cleaning the butterfly valve will not make any difference IMHO

[T-5ones]

I value your honest opinion Dave. Do you think getting the software update will help the running or is it just a less sensitive warning setting?

As i get fed a big loads of bullpoo from the stealers, I never know when anything is the truth. (Very much my personal opinion. There are very good volvo agents out there. I just wished I lived near one of them!!) IF it were going to help I'd get the work done/do it myself.

Dreadly, I had read about the over agressive solvents problems, so you are not the only one. It is these very reasons that I'm being so causious.

[Wobbly Dave]

I dont know what is involved in this software update? all I know is what I saw when I dissected a broken one. Possibly the update will make the pots less sensitive but ultimately it is a physical design flaw that is the single point of failure.

[dreadly]

Dreadly, I had read about the over agressive solvents problems, so you are not the only one. It is these very reasons that I'm being so causious.

Actually, I think I used Brake cleaner! - But I thought it would be the same as cleaning the hotwire Air Mass Meter on my old 760, it wasn't!

It made the 760 run a lot sweeter though.

[rgracin]

It's worth a try. My car was suffering from a hunting idle, and flat spots during acceleration. New ETM I thought, but before shelling out for one, I took my existing one off and cleaned it.

There was loads of gunk in it, and as the butterfly is slightly open in its 'home' position, I'm geussing this is for the idle. With all the gunk around it, the gap for the air is smaller which means it could not reach the correct idle speed. It would almost stall, and the 'brain' would sense this and compensate bouncing the revs up to around 1500, it would then drop down to almost stalling and so it would go on.

The cleaning meant that it could idle correctly.

It contradicts Wobbly's opinion, but it definately worked, and has been fine for the last 15k miles!!

[T-5ones]

Thanks for all the input.

It is a tiny problem and hardly noticable at the moment and may not even be the ETM which is at fault. I am servicing and getting the car up to A1 spec. This is just one of the wee things that are being investigated.

Tim

[dreadly]

Thanks for all the input.

It is a tiny problem and hardly noticable at the moment and may not even be the ETM which is at fault. I am servicing and getting the car up to A1 spec. This is just one of the wee things that are being investigated.

Tim

My car started hunting at idle and got hard to start on cold days, a software update and a new set of sparky plugs cured all.

[Blewis]

Whooaa there boy.

Don't pay for the upgrade/cleaning!

Ive been meaning to post about mine. I've just had (a week ago) it done.

As part of the "unofficial recall...." It went into the garage for the ETM clean and software upgrade. Booked as a 2 hour job, and apparently it is 2 hours...

It's FREE, I had the confirmation from Volvo after I tore a strip off them. My Local Stealer (Harratts ...) told me I was talking bo**ocks etc etc etc... But then again they are the same stealer's who have just changed a clutch on another volvo I know of and <cough> forgot to bolt the engine back in

As part of the upgrade they HAVE to do the ETM clean and PCV clean (as I understand it)

My car is a P2 and had 128k on it when the upgrade was done, and the difference is quite frankly amazing! i'll fully admit I had a scrap on my hands, but mainly due to the lack of information from my local stealer and volvo's lack of prompt assistance.

However, I can FULLY recommend John Morris Motors (Volvo Dealer) in Grimsby - (01472) 200888 who were the ones who did my upgrade, the service is exceptional, they are friendly and helpful to boot. They are 100 miles from me, and i'll now travel to my parents just to use them

Unfortunately as part of the work they did, they took the high pressure line from the PAS pump and on re-asembley shagged the O Ring... which a week later led to a bad leak which ended up with a nice tow on a yellow aa wagon BUT most importantly the Dealer has been incredibly helpful in resolving the issue to my satisfaction (and trust me thats hard!) S*it happens, but they've done themselves proud on that one with their attitude!

I've also got a copy of the 39page! Tech Bulletin for the upgrade which I <cough> obtained from someone (and not the dealer) and I also have an email from Volvo Customer Services UK (Below).. PM me if you are interested but the email from Volvo is below

Reply from Veronica confirming the original email is correct

Thank you for your e-mail below. The same applies to you as to the
customer to whom I sent my original e-mail. Should you be experiencing
difficulties with your car such as the warning messages of 'check
engine' or 'ETS' or even experience uneven engine idling before the
upgrade is available, please do take your car to your local Volvo
Authorised dealer who can diagnose if the symptoms are related to the
ETS. It is possible that other issues may exhibit similar
characteristics but in any event the car should be taken to an
Authorised Volvo dealer or repair centre to ensure correct diagnosis.

We are in the process of rolling out the upgraded software and it may or
may not be available for your car. Your dealer has access to details of
vehicles that do have the upgraded software currently available. You do
not say which dealer you have taken your car to or to whom it was you
spoke. If you are able to give us this information we can bring your
disappointment to their attention and ask them to address it with you.

We will keep your details on record and if appropriate we will inform
you as soon as the software is available for your specific car.

Veronica Knight
Customer Relations Consultant

Thank you for your e-mail below. The unit does not meet emission laws in
the USA and therefore under their laws they have offered an extended
warranty on the part. The part meets our emission laws and we have no
intention at the moment to launch any similar action here in the UK.
Should we do so you would be informed.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your car, whatever they may
be, we would always recommend that you take your car to your local Volvo
Authorised dealership for investigation, diagnosis and repair. Any
accident arising after you have noticed a problem and not had repairs
carried out would be your responsibility. Your local Volvo Authorised
dealer can diagnose if the symptoms are related to the ETS. It is
possible that other issues may exhibit similar characteristics but in
any event the car should be taken to an Authorised Volvo dealer or
repair centre to ensure correct diagnosis.

Volvo do not consider the issue to be safety related and like many other
manufacturers, will only use 'limp mode' under very specific conditions
to prevent damage to the car and more importantly to allow the driver to
stay in control of their vehicle but with reduced acceleration and top
speed. Limp mode is designed so that the car does not come to a sudden
halt and can still be driven to a position of safety. (There are varying
levels of limp, depending on driving style some drivers will notice
little difference, whilst others may detect a slight performance
reduction. Only in certain scenarios is Mechanical Limp Mode activated
which restricts the speed of the car.)

As your car is one of those that may be potentially affected by the
issue raised on Watchdog in February 2006 Volvo Car UK Limited would
like to arrange for your car to be upgraded with new software to improve
the performance of the ETS. The new software is going to improve the
operation of the ETS, however, if the ETM is faulty it will not cure it
as this is an electrical component and as with any component it may
fail. Your dealer is best placed to determine what is going to be
necessary to repair your car once they have had an opportunity to
inspect it.

We are in the process of rolling out the updated software and your
dealer will be able to tell you whether it is currently available for
your car or not. If not we will be in contact nearer the time to arrange
a convenient time for the software to be installed free of charge. At
the same time as the software upgrade we will take the opportunity to
clean the throttle body and check the engine crankcase ventilation
system of your Volvo. All of the this work will be carried out free of
charge by your Volvo dealer.

Experience to date shows that some cars submitted for this work have
been suffering from other faults or failures within the engine
management system. It is therefore important that your Volvo Dealer
checks your car for any Diagnostic Codes prior to commencing work for
the software upgrade. Any such additional work would not be covered by
our goodwill gesture.

As with all components the ETS can be subject to failure. As the ETS is
not subject to a recall in the UK we would view any failures on a
goodwill basis dependent age, mileage, denied usage and loyalty to the
dealership network as demonstrated by a full Volvo dealership serving
history. If the diagnosis is that there is a problem with the ETS (it is
possible that other issues may exhibit similar characteristics) there
are several measures that the dealer can perform to resolve the issue
they can clean & refit the ETM; they can replace it with a new one;
apply the ETS software upgrade when it becomes available.

Your dealer will be able to contact us to discuss your case at which
time we will be better able to determine whether we have a
responsibility to assist with any costs involved and if so, to what
degree.

Veronica Knight
Customer Relations Consultant

[T-5ones]

Oh mate, you are a feckin star!!!!!!!

Yes pleeeeeeeease can I have any info you got on the issue and maybe a few tips on how to go about the issue the correct way as you have been through it just recently.

I have been trying to read up on it but read that as mine is over 100K it wouldnt apply.

I'm so glad that you have a fantastic volvo dealer fairly locally. I knew there were some out there!

One question... If they have accepted liability of the fault, if the etm fails at some point in the future, will they replace it free of charge as well?

Many, many thanks.

Tim

[Blewis]

You have mail & PM

[blackwolf t5]

What year T5's is this applicable to?

[adriancole]

What year T5's is this applicable to?

1998-2002

[Blewis]

What year T5's is this applicable to?

According to The TechNet Note:

NO: 25-149-A
DATE: 04-03-06

REFERENCE:
VIDA SMB 25-23 TNN 25-149-B TNN 25-149-C TNN 25-149-D
TNN 25-149-E TNN 37-22 SB 37-0015

MODEL/YEAR:
C70 1999-2002
S70 1999-2000
S60 2001 all engine variants, 2002 non-turbo only.
V70 1999-2001 all engine variants, 2002 non-turbo only.
V70XC, 1999-2000
XC70 2001
S80 1999-2001

[blackwolf t5]

How can I tell if this or any other recall issues have or have not been dealt with on my car? Late 2001 V70 T5 SE Geartronic.

[T-5ones]

How can I tell if this or any other recall issues have or have not been dealt with on my car? Late 2001 V70 T5 SE Geartronic

I took mine in to the stealers for the abs light to be turned off, see previous thread, and codes to be checked/read. They did all that was asked but wouldnt let the car out untill the radiator fan was changed as it was subject to a recall. I guess they know when its plugged in. No charge just took an hour longer than expected.

[T-5ones]

Oh, jees! What a can of worms this faulty ETM business is.

try reading up here for starters... http://www.vexedvolvo.org/

Dont give in and dont pay for software seems to be a good start when etm issues arise.


"It (volvo) also plans to introduce a software upgrade from April 2006 onwards, which will reduce the likelihood of issues with the ETM. Volvo says it will make this available, at no charge, to customers with affected cars who contact their customer relations department."

[adriancole]

my etm started to fail, they cleaned it up, put new software in and within a week the ets light started to come on......luck of the draw.......in all honesty it does depend on how much wear there is on the potentioemeter thingy to start with before the cleaning and software.....they all fail in the end, just differs when.....