How to fix idling problems, petrol engined S80
 

:animal-smiley-037:Hello everyone, how to fix a problem with the idling in a 2.4 SE auto (non turbo).

The problem was, every time the engine revs dropped, for instance when slowing down to make a turn, the revs would drop down to about 500 rpm or less, causing the car to judder and on occassion stall (not good in an auto!).
Here's is how I fixed it, it is dead easy:

1. Pop the bonnet and locate the air filter, it is the big black plastic box at the front/ right of the engine. Coming from this is a black rubber concertina type hose about 4" in diameter, this leads down to the throttle box and is secured to the throttle box by a single large jubilee clip.
2. Undo the jubilee clip with a screwdriver and disconnect the hose from the throttle box, you should now be able to see into the box. It is probably filthy inside, but inside you will see a flap which controls the amount of air the engine needs, you can move this freely, but first...
3. Put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the dirt.
4. Get a lint free cloth and simply and carefully clean out the interior of the box, move the flap and clean out both inside and outside the flap, paying particular attention to the hinge points and the faces of the box which seal against the flap.
5. Re-assemble the hose and Bobs your uncle, your car will run much, much better.
   I have seen this tip many times on the forum, apology to anyone who has posted this repair before, but I feel that it needed a step by step explanation and, we should all share our experience to enjoy our Volvos. So come on, if you have any tips, please post them.
   
   PS If any one needs photos of this or any other repair I will be glad to post them here.

Oscar:animal-smiley-037:

I used Wynns Injection/carb cleaner and a toothbrush too! It gets the crud out where the rag won't reach. I also cleaned the breather inlet on that big pipe, and sprayed some cleaner into the manifold.

Cleaning the throttle body (and idle valve) is something that should be done every year or 2, not just to the S80's. I recently did my 960 - that idles better too!

Cheers for that Niloc, I'll dash out and get some Wynn's too!
Oscar:animal-smiley-085:

can u please post photos as i am a amateur :)
thanks in advance !!!!

Hello Tatased
, here are some pictures for this repair, this is the very easy version that anyone can do!

Click on the picture to make it bigger.

This is the view from the front of the car, the black rubber hose connects the air filter box, on the right to the throttle box on the left.
Attachment 30110
Closer viewAttachment 30109

Undo this screw on the jubilee clipAttachment 30111

and detach this end of the hoseAttachment 30112

Viewed from a different angle, you should now be able to see into the throttle boxAttachment 30114

Looking in closer....Attachment 30113This is the inside of the box you need to clean, your's will probably be very sooty, you can move the brass coloured flap to clean in behind it too.
Hope this is of help to you.
Oscar:animal-smiley-037:

A big Thanks !!!
 

My Volvo has been doing this for ages, I was going to stick it into the garage at the weekend and have it looked at when I say this. Just cleaned out as directed took the car for a spin and woo hoo, didn't cut out once.

Thanks Again

thanks oscar you'r the best!!!

Oscar, thanks for putting the procedure into pictures. I'm glad this solution saves people money!
Oscar, can I request your permission to use your pictures for an article?

Article
 

Sure, Niloc. Glad to help anyone.
Cheers

Oscar:animal-smiley-037::animal-smiley-037::animal-smiley-037:

Just make sure you dont have the ignition on when doing this as the engine control unit will see the throttle is moving when not being requested by the accelerator pedal. It could see this as a fault, log a diagnostic trouble code and bring on the engine management light. You would then have to get the codes erased to clear the light.

many thanks for this my v70 just started doing the same this will save my l@@king all over the place for help many thanks to you all :Banane48:


:animal-smiley-037::animal-smiley-037::animal-smiley-037:

volvo v70 2001 silver 131897 miles

I've followed this procedure and am still having problems.The car ran fine after having the codes wiped and reset,the only code that was logged was unrecognisable to the machine.After about 30 miles the lights back on and it's idling roughly again,I've replaced the spark plugs to eliminate that and am starting to run out of ideas,it's going back on the machine again later to see if the code can be picked up this time.

Possible ETM malfunction. Is it fine at all other revs, or does it surge/hiccup?

runs fine through the rev range,it's just on idle.Plugs were very sooty if that points to anything.

done this am now alls back to nornal

Have you cleaned the idle valve? Is there an idle valve on these cars?

Does the car shudder and try and cut out when coming to a stop?

The ETM controls the idle air, there is no idle valve

The garage has managed to get a readable code.It points to the lambda sensor,front sensor on bank one.Volvo want £195+vat for the sensor.Luckily i sell car parts for a living and can get a bosch one for £45, they're probably original equipment anyway so i'm going to replace both front sensors,cars done 110k.I'll let you know the outcome

that's handy to know!

Even more strangely volvo only had one in the country,for what i would call a fairly common item thats very poor,nearly as poor as the price but not quite.

Right,Hopefully problem now solved.The car continued showing the emision lamp and would run like a tractor,this got even worse till driveability was virtually zero.The car was very,very slow from a standing start but slightly better once momentum was gained,it would barely tickover at all.I've replaced BOTH front lambda sensors and the car is running as normal again.I'll clear the codes at the weekend if the lamps still on,when i replaced the MAF the light went out of it's own accord after about 40 miles.If i need to clear the codes whats the best method.Will disconnecting the battery bring the airbag light on or will it be ok,do i need to disconnect both leads or just the neg or pos?

I think there is a proper procedure for disconnecting the battery - having the key in a certain position for disconnection, and i think a different one for reconnection.

Can anyone offer any advice on clearing the codes.I'm worried by disconnecting the battery that the airbag light will come on,am i worrying unjustly?

Code Clearing
 

I've disconnected the battery on my S80 a couple of times, no problems.
Disconnect it, put your foot on the footbrake for a minute, then reconnect the battery, don't touch any pedals, start the engine and allow to idle for a couple of minutes without touching the gas. Should be okay,

they are very reliable normaly . not a great call for them. Same goes for Catalytic converters and exhaust systems ...

My problems are now solved.I replaced both front sensors and after a week the emmision lamp has gone out.Job done.

Etm
 

Hi guys,

Followed the instructions on how to clean the ETM, Did everything by the book. Took the car for a quick spin and everything is ok! Except when i switched it off and then restarted it, The Engine light has come on and won't go off ! ! ! !
My etm was really gunky and black, Just by cleaning it has made a huge difference.

Matt.

thank you
 

being having trouble starting car & with cutting out since being under warranty tried cleaning out throttle housing as suggested & car started first time this morning without any smoke thanks a lot

Hi Oscar,
Question, what could be causing my engine surge?
My 2000 V70 SE station wagon 2.5L Non-turbo is experiencing a slight engine surge when traveling approximately 68 MPH. I also notice (at low speeds less than 20 MPH) a low base sound while accelerating from a stop sign and when the car shifts to second the base noise disappears until the throttle is activated again.
Do you think this base noise is related to the engine surging?
This past weekend I replaced my Fuel Filter & Gas Cap & the surging is still present.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Jim M

on a few occasions, my engine has cut out, mine is a T5.
i was going to try this remady but obv with mine being a turbo it's different.

Any recomendations??


Cheer's
Mike

Throttle cleaninig
 

Hi i was told by a Volvo mechanic,to only use intake cleaner and not be liberal with it,ie dont spray into the body but use a lint free cloth or paper.
Wurth i know make this ive got some on order.

An old toothbrush is the ideal tool to clean a throttle flap and body , brake cleaner disolves the carbon too .

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