V40 T4 with ETM problems

[eyewhy]

My V40 T4 suffers from a number of the symptoms described as the ETM faults on other Volvo models. The most concerning is that the car has stalled three times when changing gear at around 50mph! Whilst this is not a particularly regular occurance, it is somewhat dangerous to say the least. The most regular problem is that the engine idle drops to around 350-400rpm and then jumps back upto it's normal idle speed over and over again. It only happens when you pull up at a junction or traffic lights. The only way to stop it doing this is to turn the engine off and restart it. (ECU issue??). The O2 sensor was replaced last september so i don't think this has anything to do with it.
Has anybody else had this problem and knows of a solution. Or does anybody know if V40s can be effected by the ETM issues that Volvo are currently dealing with?

[eyewhy]

I've just managed to get through to Volvo customer car. They have confirmed that the V40 engine is not affected by the ETM problem. With that in mind, does anybody have any experience of the problems my car is suffering from.
I'm going to book it into Rybrook Volvo in Liverpool for it's 84k service in the next few days and would like to get this issue sorted at the same time. Afterall, as they say, 'knowledge is power'

[pyaap]

Hi,

Sorry to hear of the problems you're experiencing. The S/V40s are excluded from the ETM issue because they have a mechanical throttle (thank God!). Is your car a Phase 1 or 2?

[eyewhy]

it's a phase 2 2002 model. I reckon the cause of the problem could be because the throttle module is full of muck and carbon. It's having it's 84k service on monday. They said they'd clean it out as part of the service. Hopefully that will sort the problem (for now!).

[Rooster]

They don't have ETM's but they do have idle control valves that can sometimes get chocked up,

Only model s/v40 that has an ETM is a 2001on 1.8 GDi

[pyaap]

As Rooster says, the idle control valve would be my first port of call, with some carb cleaner (don't forget to spray some lubricant in after cleaning it) and following that, remove the throttle housing (takes about 20mins) and give that a really good clean with the same cleaner; take care not to accidentally move the throttle butterfly stop or else your idle speed is like to change too.

[eyewhy]

Cheers guys, I'll have a go at doing that.

[hhhugues]

i have a similar problem. the idle was generally too low and jumpy for a while but the car has now started to stall a lot as the idling seems togo ever lower, either when starting the car or breaking to a halt, or even a couple times changing gear at low speed.

could someone attempt explaining me where i can find the throttle housing ? still haven't managed to get hold of a cheap copy of the haynes manual yet. a picture would be even better !

also, am i right in thinking bad idling could be one of the symptoms of a blown head gasket ? i'm asking because i've noticed some oil leaking from the bottom of my engine tonight. i'm pretty sure it never did before. could it be because i topped up too much oil yesterday ? i'm pretty worried about that. where else could the leak come from ? the gear box ?

any suggestions welcome !

[Baffler]

Start with cleaning the idle air control valve. See this GUIDE by Manoman.

If you look closely at the first and second picture you'll see the ICV located on the throttle housing. If you remove the large rubber pipe you will gain access to the butterfly valve which you can then clean with carb cleaner and an old tooth brush.