Volvo Electronic Throttle Module Failure

ETM Replacement Success Stories

June 2006

Just to update you on our US-imported Volvo S70 T5-R with the ETS light

coming on...

We took the car to our local Volvo dealer, they denied any knowledge of this

issue. I believe them, they don't get many Volvos in Bilbao (Spain), but what

annoyed us was that they were unwilling to consider the possibility that

there might be a problem. They did the diagnostics and said the ETM needed

replacing. We paid about 800 euros. The car drives soooo much better, we

hadn't perceived the gradual decrease in performance and now it also starts

first time every time, before it always took three or four attempts. A couple

of days later we noticed that they had somehow blown the headlight switch in

the process of testing the ETM. We had to pay for a replacement part but not

labour for that (didn't argue, we figured what is another 60 euros when you

have just spent 800).

Next we tried to recover the costs. The local Volvo dealer and we made phone

calls to Volvo head office but this got us nowhere. Then my sister-in-law,

who happens to be a lawyer, phoned them up "on behalf of her client" and

their attitude changed. Nothing was ever put in writing, so there is no

recorded admission of fault, but a couple of weeks after our "family lawyer"

phone call we had the pleasure in collecting a full reimbursement from the

local Volvo dealer.

January 31, 2006
Hi Don;
Just to let you know that it’s real, my 2001 XC 70 (76,500 miles) lit up its dashboard lights and started “coughing” about two hours short of St. Louis on I-70, not long after starting our trip from KC (home) to Port Charlotte, Fla. Cruise control went out simultaneously. After a reboot (shut down, cool down, restart), the problem went into hiding, so we took the chance that it was just a glitch (warm weather to cold weather front transition?) and drove on. Did it again partway down Illinois, so we called a friend in Nashville, our planned stopover, to have him do dealer research.
Long story short, we found a great dealer (Hendricks Auto Group) who knew the problem well, got us in at 5pm, fresh off the freeway, did the work while we waited, and covered all costs.
Point is, they know about it, and if they have a heart (or maybe if pushed), will cover the total cost.
Just thought you’d like to know. Now, we just have to see how long it lasts!

January 26, 2006

Hi Don:
Guess who now has a "new" ETM in their 2000 S80????? We do as of about week ago! My wife & I appreciate all the work you have done on this project. Thanks again.
Mark S------- called us a few weeks ago to make an appointment to meet with Robert Duewall, (Volvo) Field Technical Specialist. We did and they said give them an hour or so. When we got back they had made the decision to replace the ETM. We made an appointment for a few days hence and the job was done. So, we are good for another 38K miles!! I kept hammering on the fact it was a $42,000 car! If it was not the ETM why could they not repair the "other" problem. Of course as long as one subscribes to the premise they are all lying sacks of Cacha you can kind of keep up with them. Of course McDonalds did it under the new 200K warranty and they told me that. McDonalds has made a fortune on our S80. It still only has 54K miles on it. With any luck I will never have to deal with them again. There is a local independent called "Sweden's Pride" (not a good choice of words!) that does a good job on the routine stuff for much less that the dealer, not rocket science. We have used them for oil changes etc.
Denver D---

January 6, 2006
JUST A SHORT NOTE TO SAY "THANK YOU" FOR YOUR HELP WITH MY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE PROBLEM ON MY 2001 VOLVO S-70.DUE TO YOUR ADVICE, I KNEW MORE ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND KNEW EXACTLY WHAT TO SAY TO THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALER. THEY FIRST TRIED TO SELL ME ON A CLEANING AT ALL COST TO ME. I HELD OUT FOR A REPLACEMENT AND VOLVO OK'D IT. CAR PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FIXED AND RUNS GREAT NOW. THANKS AGAIN. PAUL ----

January 5, 2006
I just wanted to give you an update. After various scheduling problems on my part getting my V70 to the dealer, I ended up taking it to Richenbaugh Volvo in Denver last week, and they fixed it for no cost. They cleaned the TB first (to make sure it was the indeed the faulty component). The ETS came on right after while test driving the car, so they replaced the unit. They were familar with the extended warranty, so needed no convincing on my part. Also, the headlight switch was recalled, so that was replaced as well (which was giving me intermittent problems anyway). Scott ----

Richard said on 10/30/2005 (you might use this tactic and reference this when you deal with a Volvo dealer.)
"I have read your articles about the ETM and wanted to pass this information on to you.

A few weeks ago my 99 Volvo S80 non turbo with 64,000 miles started to run erratic when it was started. After several restarts it was running good and the check emission message that was on went away.

Later the text message said 'engine system fix next service' with the orange explanation mark lighting after 5 to 20 miles of driving.

I ran a code at Auto Zone and it was P0121 indicating the ETM.

I took it to Dyer & Dyer in Atlanta for them to diagnose and repair. I asked about the ETM problems and they said there was no recall or any type of reimbursement compensation. The cost should be around $850 to replace it.

While there I gave them a copy of the 'For Dealers' from VEXED and pointed out the article in July/August 'Rolling' Volvo Club of America magazine that states they would treat this matter generously.

When it came time to pay for the replacement of the ETM the service director told me he had called corporate and there would be no charge for the replacement but they would have to keep the old one."