S60 T5 partial power loss
 

Hi,

I am new to the forum due to buying my S60 T5, which I love driving.

A few months ago I noticed the car jerking (kangarooing) on light throttle when cold, which disappears when it gets warm. The car has always idled perfectly.
I read on the forum about faulty electronic throttles due to wear on the potentiometer tracking. I checked mine out and luckily, it is the Bosch model, so shouldn't exhibit the same issues. I removed it from the car and cleaned it thoroughly, reassembled it and it made no difference. Could the TCM still be faulty or is this unlikely.

Also, another symptom is when driving at any throttle position, there is a slight loss in power, as though there is intermittant boost, but I am not sure if it is turbo related as it does this at 1000rpm too where I wouldn't expect boost issues. It is most noticeable at high revs when the turbo is spinning where the car seems to pulse it's power from about half power to full power every second or so.

Yesterday I noticed it idle rough for about 1 second a minute after I started it too.

I have checked the coil packs and found one brown pack, which I replaced, but there was no difference.

I also changed the MAF, again with no difference.

I removed the TCV and cleaned it, but again no difference.

I checked the pipes for splits and couldn't find any and all pipes appear to be well clamped down at each end.

I read the codes using my OBD reader and there are none there.

Does any one have any idea what my problem might be as I don't want to spend any more money on non faulty parts and it is frustrating when the car looses power. When I don't see the fault, it just flies like it should with loads of power.

Sorry about the long rambling message.

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers.

I forgot to say:

It is a 2002 2.3 (250bhp) version with manual gearbox and 148k on the clock.

Regards.

I'm not far from you mate, I'm actually in south east Powys and I was born in Hereford living near Hereford up until 2009!

My car is a 2001 V70 T5 with 246,000 miles on the clock and the kangarooing on cold is something my car also does, I wonder if it's a characteristic of the car or whether something else is going on.

As for the lack of power, have you considered it may be a Boost sensor? I'd check the one that plugs in to the top of the intercooler to ETM pipe. Failing that it could be a Boost control solenoid or something like that, sorry I'm no expert but having read peoples woes with these cars so much I'm going through a list of possible known issues deducting the ones you've already tried.

Also, generic code readers don't always show up the faults (as I've found out).

Regards

James

Hi James,

Thanks for the reply, and a local too!

Glad I'm not the only one with the kangarooing issue. Hopefully between us we find the problem. It's also good to know yours has done so many miles. I have read that these engines are capable of big mileages, so hopefully mine has another 100k life left!

I will check the pressure sensor between the ETM and inter cooler and will let you know what I find.

These are great value for money cars and I don't understand why they are so cheap. Comfy, powerful and well built. I paid £1000 for it a year ago and this is the only issue I have had so far and it's never let me down!

Cheers,
Giles.

Was the replacement MAF a genuine one ie Volvo/ Bosch from a reputable scource or a fleabay item.
Fleabay MAF's have a reputation for only working 10% of the time correctly.

You can order from Bosch. The part numbers are on there and its cheaper than from Volvo.

Genuine MAF's can be cleaned with electrical cleaner and put back into service. Mine has done 10's of thousands of miles over the time when I was told it was scrap by cleaning it.


Hope this helps

Cheers

Bob

Thanks Bob, that is really helpful. I did buy a fleabay MAF for about £30 but it has never run quite right with it fitted. I have just bought a genuine Bosch unit which will come in the next few days so i will fit it at the weekend. I will let you know how I get on. I hope it cures it!!

Cheers,
Giles.

PROBLEM RESOLVED.

Well, I received my genuine Bosch replacement MAF two days ago, fitted it (took 3 minutes!) have driven it for about 100 miles and the symptoms seem to have all gone. My power is now restored and I don't get intermittent power problems at high revs or kangarooing at low speeds and I haven't noticed any hesitation at low throttle positions.

Thank you Bob for your good advice and for resolving my issues. I will NEVER buy a non genuine MAF again! A good lesson for all I think.

James, I tried PM ing you, but it won't allow me to reply as I have less than 30 posts on my account. Maybe it's worth looking into the MAF to resolve your kangarooing problem?

Cheers,
Giles.