ETM Fault, A Police Issue?

Dec 22nd, 2006, 01:04

Hello there.

I'm new to posting on this forum, but have been reading it for a few months, and indeed it has helped me with a few decisions regarding my T5.

I have read and searched the ETM issue, and believe I may have an interesting point to raise, Or maybe not!

I’d be interested to know if anybody with an ex-police V70 has encountered any of the ETM issues. I don’t mean have you tried to get the update, but have you had any actual ETM problems.

As the ETM failure would be quite catastrophic during a 130mph car chase I cannot imagine Her Majesties Constabulary running vehicles with this potential problem. I’m wondering if the police forces knew about this some time ago and fixed it, or if they just kept replacing the module at regular intervals.
I own an ex-police 2001 P2 V70 T5, and am wondering if I need to worry about this or not. I personally do not want to have to have the update unless there is a problem, as I have a re-mapped ECU, and I don’t want to have to drive to the midlands to re-install it unless I have to.

BUT! It could also be of interest to the wider Volvo community. Especially if some sort of “arrangement” or fix was sorted out behind closed doors between Volvo and the Police.
If this was done then I’m sure that it could be used as leverage to get Volvo to sort out the wider problem, as quite clearly it would have been deemed unsafe by the Police.
I am quite skeptical as to weather anybody on the “inside” would be willing to divulge such info as I’m sure there is a close relationship between Volvo/Ford and the police. But there may be some ex-police mechanics about that could recall if there was some sort of mass upgrade done.

My vehicle is now on 185,000 miles, and I have done the last 30,000 of them in the last 6 months. There has been no sign whatsoever of any throttle problems. I have browsed one or two forums on the net, but I haven’t seen any ex-police car owners discussing failing ETM issues, I am sure there are in excess of a hundred ex-police cars out there that fall into the age bracket that is susceptible to this issue.

I really can’t imagine the Police being too impressed if their T5 suddenly goes into safe mode when flying along at 160mph, and I really cant imagine Volvo wanting to fight a case against the police!

If any Ex-police users have had an ETM failure it may be useful to post it, as it will put this theory to bed, and also help me decide weather or not to get mine sorted

Also, Is there a visual diference between a faulty ETM and a updated one?

Cheers guys

Joules.

Ben 77 · Dec 23rd, 2006, 11:04

Hi mate,i have a 2001 Y plate ex Manchester ARV with 92k on her.I have had her for approx 2 months. Recently whilst at a Volvo dealership and asked if all the recalls had been done.The computer info came up and it it had been recalled for a fan problem ages ago but nothing else,it seems to be ok (touch wood) at the mo.Is it worth asking Volvo about the ETM do you think?

Ben.

lushman · Dec 23rd, 2006, 13:36

Valid point Grumpy. It will be interesting if any info comes out of this. However I can't see Volvo doing things behind closed doors with the police as they would be admitting there is a problem!

Paul

Rooster · Dec 23rd, 2006, 18:59

They were replaced as they failed as any other part would be,

Jan 2nd, 2007, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooster

They were replaced as they failed as any other part would be,

Is this a qualified response?

You say this in a way that implies you have direct knowledge.

If so, thanks for putting this point to bed.

Although maybe not all forces had the same policy.

Ben 77 · Jan 2nd, 2007, 22:49

Mine has just started playing up and have spoken to Volvo and she is going in to Lookers in a couple of weeks for the ETM clean/upgrade,not sure if this is related .

Ben.

shimon340 · Jan 4th, 2007, 03:45

hello

the police etms were replaced when they failed as part of the usual servicing programme.

Given the mileage of your car, 185,000 you have the upgraded later type MM ETM fitted.

VOSA ( nee DVLA ) didnt require volvo to change all the ETMs as a recall and were satisfied with the software update.

The police vehicles are overseen by Volvo Special Vehicles dept in Sweden where the cars are built. Cant say what Volvo Sweden did for the police when they were aware of the concern but remember, the software update makes the ECU less sensitive to the varying ETM output which occurs as the tracks fail. Only in the US were all early type MM units replaced with the upgraded part - also the same part used when the first one fails - this is the one with the 10yr or 100,000 mile warranty.

kevin derby uk · Sep 9th, 2009, 22:13

i saw this post some time back and while it made me think at the time i soon forgot about it BUT i was in a shop and saw a bloke who i knew to be a police
mechanic. we sort of know each other, not that well i have to say = any way after saying morning i asked him = this is not going to blow your socks off =
it was a known fault but they replaced the part at the first sign of a problem the car is taken out of service and fixed and that was it = job done =

as for my car, i just went to volvo. £249 and the car work fine.

Dec 22nd, 2006, 01:04	#1
Grumpy! Guest Location:	ETM Fault, A Police Issue? Hello there. I'm new to posting on this forum, but have been reading it for a few months, and indeed it has helped me with a few decisions regarding my T5. I have read and searched the ETM issue, and believe I may have an interesting point to raise, Or maybe not! I’d be interested to know if anybody with an ex-police V70 has encountered any of the ETM issues. I don’t mean have you tried to get the update, but have you had any actual ETM problems. As the ETM failure would be quite catastrophic during a 130mph car chase I cannot imagine Her Majesties Constabulary running vehicles with this potential problem. I’m wondering if the police forces knew about this some time ago and fixed it, or if they just kept replacing the module at regular intervals. I own an ex-police 2001 P2 V70 T5, and am wondering if I need to worry about this or not. I personally do not want to have to have the update unless there is a problem, as I have a re-mapped ECU, and I don’t want to have to drive to the midlands to re-install it unless I have to. BUT! It could also be of interest to the wider Volvo community. Especially if some sort of “arrangement” or fix was sorted out behind closed doors between Volvo and the Police. If this was done then I’m sure that it could be used as leverage to get Volvo to sort out the wider problem, as quite clearly it would have been deemed unsafe by the Police. I am quite skeptical as to weather anybody on the “inside” would be willing to divulge such info as I’m sure there is a close relationship between Volvo/Ford and the police. But there may be some ex-police mechanics about that could recall if there was some sort of mass upgrade done. My vehicle is now on 185,000 miles, and I have done the last 30,000 of them in the last 6 months. There has been no sign whatsoever of any throttle problems. I have browsed one or two forums on the net, but I haven’t seen any ex-police car owners discussing failing ETM issues, I am sure there are in excess of a hundred ex-police cars out there that fall into the age bracket that is susceptible to this issue. I really can’t imagine the Police being too impressed if their T5 suddenly goes into safe mode when flying along at 160mph, and I really cant imagine Volvo wanting to fight a case against the police! If any Ex-police users have had an ETM failure it may be useful to post it, as it will put this theory to bed, and also help me decide weather or not to get mine sorted Also, Is there a visual diference between a faulty ETM and a updated one? Cheers guys Joules.

Dec 23rd, 2006, 13:36	#3
lushman Member Last Online: Apr 17th, 2009 00:15 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belfast View Photos By: lushman	Valid point Grumpy. It will be interesting if any info comes out of this. However I can't see Volvo doing things behind closed doors with the police as they would be admitting there is a problem! Paul __________________ 1999 V70 R Awd Auto Laser Blue 17" Satellites Dual Exhaust Strut Brace 3" Sports Cat and pipe ECU remap Mesh Grille Projecter Headlights 6CD Multi changer

Dec 23rd, 2006, 18:59	#4
Rooster Speed freak Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2020 22:04 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Yorkshire	They were replaced as they failed as any other part would be, __________________ 04 XC90 D5 --- Big bus 00 pug 306HDi --- Run about 88 pug 309GTi --- Project track car 07 CB600 Hornet --- 2 wheel fun

Sep 9th, 2009, 22:13	#8
kevin derby uk Junior Member Last Online: Apr 6th, 2010 06:45 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: derby View Photos By: kevin derby uk	police/etm i saw this post some time back and while it made me think at the time i soon forgot about it BUT i was in a shop and saw a bloke who i knew to be a police mechanic. we sort of know each other, not that well i have to say = any way after saying morning i asked him = this is not going to blow your socks off = it was a known fault but they replaced the part at the first sign of a problem the car is taken out of service and fixed and that was it = job done = as for my car, i just went to volvo. £249 and the car work fine. __________________ cng powered s80 Last edited by kevin derby uk; Sep 9th, 2009 at 22:16.

Dec 23rd, 2006, 11:04	#2
Ben 77 Ben 77 Last Online: Apr 26th, 2014 20:06 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Braintree	Hi mate,i have a 2001 Y plate ex Manchester ARV with 92k on her.I have had her for approx 2 months. Recently whilst at a Volvo dealership and asked if all the recalls had been done.The computer info came up and it it had been recalled for a fan problem ages ago but nothing else,it seems to be ok (touch wood) at the mo.Is it worth asking Volvo about the ETM do you think? Ben.

Jan 2nd, 2007, 22:49	#6
Ben 77 Ben 77 Last Online: Apr 26th, 2014 20:06 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Braintree	Mine has just started playing up and have spoken to Volvo and she is going in to Lookers in a couple of weeks for the ETM clean/upgrade,not sure if this is related . Ben.

Jan 4th, 2007, 03:45	#7
shimon340 Senior Member Last Online: Mar 2nd, 2023 14:47 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manchester	hello the police etms were replaced when they failed as part of the usual servicing programme. Given the mileage of your car, 185,000 you have the upgraded later type MM ETM fitted. VOSA ( nee DVLA ) didnt require volvo to change all the ETMs as a recall and were satisfied with the software update. The police vehicles are overseen by Volvo Special Vehicles dept in Sweden where the cars are built. Cant say what Volvo Sweden did for the police when they were aware of the concern but remember, the software update makes the ECU less sensitive to the varying ETM output which occurs as the tracks fail. Only in the US were all early type MM units replaced with the upgraded part - also the same part used when the first one fails - this is the one with the 10yr or 100,000 mile warranty.

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