is this etm fault

[richard s]

i went to look at a car at weekend and had it idle for a bit and every now and then the revs would drop and raise for a second or two i went for a test drive and when pulling up to stop the revs did the same again. i left it to idle for a minute longer and it did it another 2 times. it didnt feel like it was about to stall and it was a small fluctuation.
does this sound like a etm on its way out. the car was a 2001 y reg s60 2.0t
cheers

[Jerseysteve]

Richard,

I have the same issues with my 2002 S60 2.4t. The revs pick up then drop, pick up then drop....... It does it when I'm slowing down, stopped or idling.

I'm assuming this is the same issue. I've only just had my car serviced and i've just noticed the problem since the service.

Not sure what can be done about it, other than request a new one be fitted by the dealership!

Best regards

Steve

Volvo.jpg

[RUTV70]

The problematic ETM's were all Magnetti Marelli.(Approx 1999-2001).....on a 2002 wouldn't it be a Bosch unit.?..which were not a problem.
If that's the case I'd look elsewhere.!..MAF sensor.?
Ideally..get the codes read.!

Neil

[RG_Toad]

My V70 T5 2001 was doing exactly this. I had the ETM software upgraded and it worked for a while, but one day the thing just packed up.
I had a new ETM fitted at Volvo and it works fine.

This was a major issue with the V70 and Volvo reduced the price of the ETM from silly money to around £140 as so many people were having to have it replaced. My new ETM cost me around £270 fitted at the local Volvo dealership.

The problem is a mechanical sliding pick up (so I was told) that wears out after a while and causes an intermitent and gradually worsening circuit break. There's a non Volvo ETM on the market which is totally electronic and will never wear out, but it's more expensive by a couple of hundred quid.

I also heard of people replacing the pick ups on their worn Volvo ETM with some conducting paint, if you wanted to research that...

One other thing - a Volvo specialist non dealership will charge you lots for the software upgrade. Volvo charge £1 plus labour - which might be cheaper...

[deathrider311271]

As already stated get your codes read with either VCT2000 or Vida dice, your problem may lie elsewhere ie ABS system as this is all linked thro the main ECU for the car.

Simon

[RUTV70]

Originally Posted by RG_Toad

My V70 T5 2001 was doing exactly this. I had the ETM software upgraded and it worked for a while, but one day the thing just packed up.
I had a new ETM fitted at Volvo and it works fine.

This was a major issue with the V70 and Volvo reduced the price of the ETM from silly money to around £140 as so many people were having to have it replaced. My new ETM cost me around £270 fitted at the local Volvo dealership.

The problem is a mechanical sliding pick up (so I was told) that wears out after a while and causes an intermitent and gradually worsening circuit break. There's a non Volvo ETM on the market which is totally electronic and will never wear out, but it's more expensive by a couple of hundred quid.

I also heard of people replacing the pick ups on their worn Volvo ETM with some conducting paint, if you wanted to research that...

One other thing - a Volvo specialist non dealership will charge you lots for the software upgrade. Volvo charge £1 plus labour - which might be cheaper...

Yours would be a Magnetti Marelli ETM then..!!!...I reckon a 2002 would have Bosch.?...the "luxury" fix is Xmodex...but you can get the original ETM refurbed by BBA Re-manufacturing which requires NO software download..as it's already married to the car....you just don't have your car for a few days.!
I think the current cost is around £300-ish

Neil

[mikealder]

Have a look at This Web page for more information on what goes wrong with the ETM - Mike

[richard s]

i didnt buy the car i posted about originally. i did end up buying a 2001 51 reg t5 and i have a blip in the idle every now and then similar to the one i looked at first just not as often. it has done it 3 times in the week i have owned it the first 2 were hardly noticable but today i had started the car from cold driven it non stop till it had fully warmed up when i pulled up at some lights it was nice and steady and then it hade quite a hard spike.
would these spikes be logging fault codes and if so does anyone live in sheffield with a code reader that could check these for me
cheers

[mikealder]

Three times in a week probably isn't the ETM when they let go you end up with a car that borders on undriveable expecially if its an auto, holding it under 30MPH while town was virtually impossible with mine!

Did you have the aircon switched on as that can dip the engine revs when the compressor kicks in? - Mike

[Clan]

Originally Posted by richard s

i went to look at a car at weekend and had it idle for a bit and every now and then the revs would drop and raise for a second or two i went for a test drive and when pulling up to stop the revs did the same again. i left it to idle for a minute longer and it did it another 2 times. it didnt feel like it was about to stall and it was a small fluctuation.
does this sound like a etm on its way out. the car was a 2001 y reg s60 2.0t
cheers

IT depends if there are fault codes stored , if there are "internal fault" or "throttle position sensor " codes go for a new one . However if there are no fault codes stored just clean out the carbon from the housing and flap and it generaly is ok after that .
If your unit has a silver label it is the original , the replacement ones have a yellow label and are much better , in fact i havent heard of any yellow ones failing yet .
The 2003 and later model year has the Simple Bosch unit ..