Volvo V70 24T 2000 plate. O2 sensor before cat

[Robf4]

Hi all, new member here. Extremely frustrated at the moment and feel like a dog chasing its tail. This is my car problem: Engine ran like a 3 legged dog and "reduced performance" message appeared on dash periodically. Had it diagnosed by mobile guy, recommeneded to me by garage I initially bought car from and he was 90% sure it was the pre cat O2 sensor. Had it replaced at kwikfit with original Volvo part costing me £230. After I took the car away from Kwikfit the service light came on for a couple of munutes, then went off, still does it after starting car. Car still doesn't run right and there is still some hesitation I can feel when driving. The "reduced performance" message doesn't appear anymore though?? Phoned Kwikfit up and told them about this and was basically fobbed off with "you had the car diagnosed elswhere and we fitted the part on your recommendation, the service light isn't anything to do with us" So if i told them to fit an elephant to the front of my car, they would just do this without asking any questions???? I am NOT a happy bunny and feel totally ****** off. I don't want to be throwing money at other people just to end up with the same problem. Can anyone offer any ideas PLEASE??

[Rockatansky]

The service light will not be connected to your other problem - it just means that it thinks you need a service soon. After a while it just won't go out at all.

I'm not familiar with the fly by wire Volvo's like yours, but I am aware that they are well know for ETM (electronic throttle module) problems - it may or may not be that.

You are probably best to browse/post a more active Volvo forum like this: http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/

Good luck!

[J-Skid]

You need to get the codes read - try and find a friendly indi or go to a main dealer. Is the engine management light on?

This could be a whole host of things, including ETM, MAF, the other 02 sensor (post cat), blocked air return etc. etc. Only by reading the codes can you start to eliminate some of possibilities.

Afraid to say that none of these options are likely to be cheap..... Our latest Volvo issue is we had a stutting engine / poor MPG etc. and it turned out to be the MAF - £340 plus to fix.

Edited by J-Skid on Thursday 25th March 13:35

[Robf4]

Thanks for the info recieved so far. *Update* managed to switch off the service light so that's a job done. On way to work today, car spluttered like it did before o2 sensor fitted and reduced performance message once again appeared and yes the warning light came on like it did before so back to square one. Computers running cars just don't do it for me. Top it all and off topic a bit, washing machine has packed up too after only 18 months

[gt5r]

To reset the service light - hold down the mileage trip button keeping it in, turn the ignition to position II, keep the trip in till the service light flashes then Switch the ignition off and back on again - should then clear it

Get codes read - I bought a V70 T5 P2 as a non runner - ran like a sack of **** - replaced lambda sensor and problem sorted - if you look on ebay you often find OEM parts at good prices I just bougth a OEM MAF sensor for £80 - Volvo wanted £180 - if your ETM (throttle body) has a yellow sticker on it - its a replacement one - Volvo what around £350 to sort this - google it on

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums

Also not exactly 100% sure on a code once it is logged - think it might need clearing after fitment of replacement part - you don't mention that this has been done? I bought an ODBII code reader cheap off ebay and reads and clears codes ok

[Robf4]

Gtr5. Kwikfit fitted the o2 sensor(ordered from Volvo) on my recommendation, as I was told by an independant mechanic who plugged my car into his diagnostics machine, that the pre cat o2 lambda sensor was flatlining and was 90% sure that was what needed changing. Kwikfit fitted the part which only took about 10 mins and I didn't notice them test it or reset anything after fitting. They have basically told me to get lost as initially I went to them with the diagnosis which was given to me by the mechanic, so I'm just piggy in the middle with seemingly an open wallet to throw ££££££'s at those who want. I might as well just take it to Volvo and cough up £50 for them to diagnose it and then see what they come up with.

[paul72']

Surley paying £50 to find the fault that might be a split pipe is better than paying a guy who was 90% sure?
Volvo MT's are trained 2 days every month and have access to information only they get, this is why they can charge £50 for 5 mins work!!!
It could be that you have more than one fault too, you could have a split intake pipe!!!

[gt5r]

Personally I would spend the £50 on a code reader - knowledge is power and thats you Volvo wrapp it all up in cotton wool and make it difficult - there are different code readers available from cheapo ebay junk to some decent despoke aftermarket Volvo stuff - it definately sound like you've be done up like a kipper

This is the one I've got

http://www.ppc-diagnostic.com/

Again a one off to Volvo to get the codes read is fine and will sort the problem - but once it happens again your another £50 down the pan and you've covered the cost of a decent reader that you can reset your own codes with

Also the genric codes that the readers put out - there is a conversion chart that shows the true Volvo code - if you go the Volvo with a code - say fault P0243 - they won't know what youre on about - P0243 = ECM-6800 which is the correct Volvo code

But like Paul mentions cracked hoses to and from the turbo housing are a common problem - also leaks/MAF/ETM cause all sorts of issues

[Robf4]

Cheers guys all replies are appreciated. What I can't understand is the problem doesn't always happen, sometimes it drives as normal and then another day acts up. If it was a complete shutdown of whatever bit of equipment it is that makes the car cough and splutter then i'd just accept it as knackered, but it's acting like a woman, ok one day and not the next without much of an explanation

[gt5r]

Heres an interesting read for you

http://home.comcast.net/~donwillson/tech_info.html

Had the ETM go dowm on mine along with lambda and MAF - running realy bad!!!!!

Think you need to clear those codes before you do anything - intermitant fault sound electrical

[Robf4]

Interesting post, will need to get my head under the bonnet to see if it may have been replaced at some point, I'll be looking for a yellow sticker. I think I'm going to take the offending vehicle to the Volvo people and let them have a poke about with it, there seems to be a multitude of reasons why the car is acting up, but it definately looks like a well known Volvo problem for this model type and year. I think i'll be looking for a Morris Minor next time I buy a car.

[Robf4]

Update on the previous posts regarding "Performance Reduced" warning messages. It wasn't the O2 sensor or any other components. Bit the bullet and took it to Volvo dealer for a diagnostics reading and all that was needed was a software update for my car cost .50p plus £50 labour charge, so anyone else that experiences these messages, dont always expect the worst, it might only be what my car needed. Needless to say I'm a happy chappy. Lesson learn't, don't always trust the "other" mechanic with a code reader because it may cost you more than it should. I'm quite surprised that no one picked up on it from here.