Well Shit...

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
10/13/2014 at 08:28 • Filed to: vikkie, volvo, v70R, fucked, dead, craigslist

Volvo is dead. Didn't even put 300 miles on it. Went to get gas and it refused to take. When I started it acted like a manual and stalled out. Whole dash lit up. Had to get a push start and was in limp mode home.I can't even get above 3500 RPM now. Throwing codes for Electronic Throttle Module. Very common issue but the warranty expired. It's about $1500 to fix. I can't afford it. Going on Craigslist today. Fuck me. Anyone want it?

DISCUSSION (46)

Brian Silvestro > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:32

THERE IS NO GOD

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:32

Salvage yard parts hunt?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:33

Wow $1500 is huge for a throttle. Is it the throttle body itself? If so surely it's a cheapish DIY job.

twochevrons > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:39

It might only need cleaning, but if it's dead, just find a replacement at a junkyard – it doesn't look like a difficult job to remove. My 850R has a cable throttle, rather than an ETM, but if it's in the same location, it should be dead easy to remove and replace – just pull the intake hose, and un. I don't know about where you are, but junkyards up here are full of S60s and V70s – in fact, I just took a set of roof rails off a V70XC yesterday that probably has the same ETM as yours.

If you'd like, I could have a hunt around next weekend – if I find an ETM, I can send it to you for the cost of the part + shipping.

You still might need to take it somewhere to have the replacement ETM programmed for your car, but that should be a lot cheaper than having them replace it with a new part.

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:39

Jeez, sorry to hear it. My advice would to to either part the car out, or what Arch Duke said and go on a trip to the salvage yard. Didn't the car itself cost $1,500 or something like that?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:42

Crap. Got any part yards nearby? you might be able to get one out.

twochevrons > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
10/13/2014 at 08:43

Yeah, it's a 'fly by wire' electronic throttle body, and a known weakness on Volvos of that age.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > twochevrons
10/13/2014 at 08:45

Yeah I've changed a fly by wire throttle before on a renault. You could pick those up fairly cheaply and it was a one or two hour job.

Hiroku > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:47

Ouch. Really feel for you, man.

Oddly, I had a very similar experience with my 850. Not even one week of ownership, went to get gas for the first time, turned the key, it revved straight to 4000rpm and then died. Tried again, same thing. This time I tried holding it with the throttle pedal, but absolutely nothing happened. Odd. Opened the bonnet, checked the throttle cable and sure as hell, it had popped out of its "rails" on the pulley. Put it back in place, turned the key, it fired right back up and I was on my way. Thanks god for throttle cables.

As for your issue, surely you can find the part you need in a wreckers, and it surely sounds like an easy DIY replacement for much cheaper than 1500$. Don't give up on the R just yet, there's still hope for you!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > jkm7680
10/13/2014 at 08:50

Yeah it did. So this repair is what i paid. Im gonna try and part it out.

Volvo was evil then so this part is a bitch to fix and replace . they knew it was bad but I'm out of the recall window so...

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/s80_…

That's more work than its worth

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > twochevrons
10/13/2014 at 08:51

Sadly its a bitch to get out unlike older cars.

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/s80_…

No direct access and getting one out will be hard since it'll be bad and need to be flashed and reprogrammed anyway

twochevrons > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
10/13/2014 at 08:52

It does seem an awful lot – I've seen throttle modules for that car for around $500, preprogrammed, so no need to take it to the dealer. If it's anything like my 850R (almost the same engine, with a cable throttle), it shouldn't require any major surgery to get to, either.

That said, I've seen similarly exorbitant prices in the receipts from my car's previous owner. $700 to replace a $50 crank angle sensor that is easily (if not immediately) accessible after you remove the airbox and shift some hoses.

boobytrapsandtreasure > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:52

This may lead to a less expensive solution. I'm sorry about your ride.

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvos-electro…

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
10/13/2014 at 08:53

Kinja'd!!!

nope its this cute little box buried in the engine.

its $500 for a new one. But lots of labor.

http://home.earthlink.net/~vicrocha/s80_…

Way too much work to do on my own and I'd need to flash it and program it anyway

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:55

Ouch. Hope you can work something out.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Hiroku
10/13/2014 at 08:56

Sadly its not that simple. its buried in the engine and getting to it is near impossible unless you have the proper Volvo tools. A new one is about $500but lots of labor is needed.

Issue with a used one is I'd still have to go a dealer to get it reflashed and programmed for car. In order to do so Volvo needs to "clean it" which is $500. Then the charge to reset is at least $200.

Volvo knew they fucked up which is why they offered 10 year warranty on it. I'm out of it now

505Turbeaux > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 08:58

that is what a junkyard is for. And you can do it in your driveway in a few hours tops not even knowing what you are doing. Check all of your turbo lines though first and make sure you didnt rupture a connection. And tell me how you push started an automatic!

505Turbeaux > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:00

dude this link is for the ABS/TRACS computer. If that is failed and you get the throttle fixed, I will send you a good one I have already resoldered I have on the shelf.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > 505Turbeaux
10/13/2014 at 09:01

Turbo was fine when i checked and all the codes i threw were for it.

The issue is not knowing if a used will be alright. Also I'd have to reprogram and reset this used one at a dealer or Volvo specialist which will cost me.

Its a pain to find and get out too, so I don't know if this used one will be more of a headache.

Brand new programmed is $500. Might just get that

505Turbeaux > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:04

it is easy to get out, while you are at it just loosen the intake and do your PCV/Breather box while you are in there.

twochevrons > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:05

Ugh. That doesn't look like quite as much fun.

Still, and I completely understand that this depends on how much time, money, and DIY-inclination you have, if it were mine, I'd still have a go at fixing it myself. It's true that pulling the intake manifold is an annoying and somewhat time-consuming job, but there's nothing inherently hard about it if you can unscrew bolts and unclip connectors. I know that I get very anxious about getting into things like that, but the only solution, in my experience, is to just dive in and give it a go.

There are places around that can rebuild your existing ETM, which gets around the programming issue, too. No option like that is exactly cheap, but they're definitely a lot less than $1500. If you like the car, are okay with a bit of DIY work, and the car being out of action while you sort everything out, you'd be much better off fixing it than selling it and taking a huge hit.

EDIT: And by the way, my offer to find you an ETM still stands, even if it is a bit more complicated to get to. I like doing that kind of thing, and want to get some practice for removing the intake manifold of my own car, anyway.

Milky > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:06

Damn. I have nothing contrastive to say, just sorry.

Kinja'd!!!

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:08

Kinja'd!!!

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:08

Ouch, what a strange set up. Im pretty sure most recent drive by wire throttles are just connected straight to the ECU so theres nothing like that. Volvo overengineering I guess.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > twochevrons
10/13/2014 at 09:10

There is a great indepenent volvo shop but its like an hour and half south. If he gives me a good price i may just try and get a buddy to tow it there for me.

Im not very mechnically inclined at all and stuff like this is rather intimidating.

OPPOsaurus WRX > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:11

Part the thing out. I bet you could make your money back and more. Sorry but this makes me glad i stopped looking for these. I still have an irrational want for one tho.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
10/13/2014 at 09:11

Thats how im feeling right now. Sick to my stomach

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
10/13/2014 at 09:14

Yeah. Lets just say there is a reason no one uses this anymore. Volvo had it for like 3 years. Even had class action lawsuits which is why they gave a 10 year warranty. But its a 2000 so... Yeah

if it was like the newer cars I'd have no problem sourcing the part and doing it. This has me taking apart the car and I'm not very good mechanically

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:16

What inspired you to take such a risk? A $1500 Volvo sounds like tempting fate :(

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:20

I'm so sorry man. Electrical problems are the worst, especially when it's so far down in the engine as you said. Are you just gonna part it out or hit up the junkyard later?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/13/2014 at 09:20

Thats going to be the plan. Its got brand new tires (not even 500 miles on them) and those Pegasus rims are worth something. Honestly the interior is all original and perfect shape (little wear or tear) so I feel its worth around $2000 in parts.

When it drove it was absolutely incredible. Everything was great. Shame the Honeymoon ended so quickly. Not even a month.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/13/2014 at 09:22

Because I did have the car looked over and there was nothing wrong. On the test drive I took it all over (over 30 miles) and never had any issues. It never had any check engine lights or anything. I drove it fine for all this time. Now all it once it decided it didn't want to live anymore.

twochevrons > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:23

It'd be worth checking out the independents, especially if they specialise in Volvos. I know that there are a few great ones up here that everybody goes to instead of the dealer, which doesn't have a great rep.

There's no denying, getting the intake manifold off does look like a bit of an intimidating job, but if you want to learn how to fix things like this (and I do understand that not everybody does), you've got to start somewhere. If I were closer, I'd offer to give you a hand.

Also, I still think that car is worth saving. My 850R was originally priced very similarly (the guy was asking $1500 for it, plus $200 for the winter tires). After the cam sensor died and it refused to start, he let me haul it away for $850, including the tires. I suspect that if you try to sell it in that condition, you'll end up taking a similar hit.

So, either you sell the car, lose $800-900 and have no car, or you have it fixed (or fix it yourself), spend roughly the same amount of money (or maybe less if you go the DIY route), and still have a car. That $1500 estimate sounds awfully high – unless there are some complication that the instructions I'm viewing are hiding, I can't see it taking more than a couple of hours for somebody who knows what they're doing, and the ETM can't eat up THAT much of the cost. Either way, you're about the same amount out of pocket, but one way means that you still have an awesome AWD turbocharged station wagon that's in great shape.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:26

Hopefully you can get your money back on the thing anyway. I wonder if anyone has worked out a delete for this part, like a way to convert to a manual cable throttle body.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > twochevrons
10/13/2014 at 09:29

I think that the car still has a lot of value in the parts department though. Brand new tires (Hankooks) with less than 500 miles on them. And those Pegasus rims. And the interior is honestly perfect. So it still has a bit of value for parts.

The ETM is $500 new. Volvo dealer will just first charge $500 to "clean and prep the area" which is forced on you. Then the rest is the labor which is about $100 an hour. So I'm calling the independent repair guy today to see what he recomends.

I still have a car which is the good thing. My 2013 Civic. So if I lose the car I'd be alright.

The bad news is I'm better off totaling the car. I have full coverage on it and its worth about $4500 to the insurance company but I really have no way to do that and I dont want to commit fraud.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
10/13/2014 at 09:31

Nothing from what I saw spending about 4 hours last night on Google.

It is a good parts car though still. It might be of value to someone wanting to do a swap. I have a perfect interior and all the other bits are fine on it.

Saddest thing? Its worth more to the insurance company. I could get like $4500 totaling the car. But I dont want to commit fraud and have no real way of doing so

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner
10/13/2014 at 09:33

Its going on Craigslist later today and I will see if anyone wants it. Lot of good parts still. Brand new Hankook tires (not even 500 miles) and those Pegasus rims. And a mint interior (I know we hate that word but I still have the original R carpeted floor mats for instance) .

Its just funny how even Volvo knew they fucked up. Its why NO ONE uses a setup like this anymore.

twochevrons > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:41

But a 2013 Civic isn't a V70R ;)

That 'clean and prep' sounds like a con job to me. Sure, you should keep that area clean, but for $500, I'd expect the entire engine bay to be polished to a shine. I suspect that scraping gunk off with a razor blade, then wiping the area down with Goof-Off is all that's needed (that's what I do when I have inlet manifolds and the like off), and that can be done for an awful lot less than $500. I bet that the indie will give you a much better deal.

Call me sentimental, but I'd hate to see it parted out, even if it does make more financial sense. It's a rare car, and yours is in great shape – sure, it would give parts so that others might live, but it'd be one less V70R on the road. That said, if you do decide to go that route, I may be interested in those rims, and the stereo system...

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:46

Thats good that you have stuff to sell. Should be able to get close to what you paid for it.

OPPOsaurus WRX > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:48

yea that really sucks. I paid 2500 for a replacement engine in my old sport tracand the the week after i got it back the tranny started slipping. i bailed on that thing before it could go.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 09:57

Sorry to hear that :(

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > twochevrons
10/13/2014 at 10:01

Im the same way. I loved driving this car. I was so excited when it showed up in my price range. I know they are rare and I want to do everything in my power to try and save it from being picked apart.

I hope the indie can work with me. If that's fixed I will have a great car

Also everything works on that stereo so well... Except it doesn't have the 3 disc CD changer so...

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 10:14

Yup, I hate to say it but if you can't make the fix on the cheap parting it out is probably the best option.

I'm going to guess that you can probably make $3,000 off the part out, but you've got to be patient with it.

PS9 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/13/2014 at 10:29

The real tragedy here is that I live in florida and need a car and will be in a position to get one in a couple of months. I'd have no problem with the labor putting in that little doohickey either. Goshdarndit...

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > jkm7680
10/13/2014 at 11:07

Its sad because i dont want to see another R die but its got a lot of value. Brand new Hankook tires (under 400 miles) Pegasus rims, and a perfect interior. I'm gonna try just like $2500 and tow it out of my driveway

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > PS9
10/13/2014 at 11:07

$2000 its yours...