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??

[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

[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.

[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

[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.