ETS Light - ETM failure -> Volvo US admits to problem.

[scoffbelly]

Following Jamie's post, expensive bills aside, the real issue is getting Volvo UK to acknowledge there is a problem with the ETM and to act fairly in response to this.

If you have extended warranty, either Volvo's, warranty direct or similar, then I can see no reason at all why a failed ETM would not be covered and as such "expensive bills" will be paid by them. The real issue is that of safety and what happens if your ETM fails and your throttle cuts out in the middle of a busy motorway contraflow. This is what we need Volvo to address and Watchdog to put to them. I suggested a product safety recall, a refund to everyone who's ETM has already failed together with a service bulletin and recall letter to owners to replace the ETM's every 60k or so or ideally fit a better designed replacement module.

I chose not to renew or take out an extended warranty, which in hindsight, I maybe wish I had if I had known about the ETM problem before mine failed, however, on investigation it seems the warranties are only valid if your car is regularly serviced by Volvo or a VAT registered independent. So if you do home maintenance or have someone who does the work for you who isn't VAT registered then your warranty isn't valid. It appears though that the ETM is currently not part of any preventative maintenance service procedure apart from checking diag codes ?

I was quoted £320 by warranty direct for an extended warranty, but as my 2000 C70 has now just clocked 100,000 (ETM failed at 93k), they would now pay 100% labour costs (My Volvo main dealer ETM labour replacement charge was £136.50 + VAT) but only pay 50% of any part replacement (ETM module, gasket and Software reload for me was £412.45 + VAT). I guess it's like any optional insurance, you weigh up the risks versus the cost.

[volvo2]

PunkDebutante,

I thought the horrific incident you described on the forum involving the failure of your ETM was terrible. Given that the BBC program Watchdog is presently investigating the failure of these ETMs. I wonder if you would consider writing to them and describing what happened? If enough people report the problems they have had together with the unhelpful support they received from Volvo UK, we just might be able to get some justice. If you would rather not get involved that would of course also be perfectly understandable.

Melvyn

My Dec 1998 T5 went into limp mode in early Jan and appears fixed after the ETM was changed. The replacement part number used (87814786) is the same as that mentioned on the Vexed Volvo site but the models mentioned start in 1999?

Is it possible that my otherwise well behaved T5 has the same problem that the later models have?

I spoke to Volvo customer disservice and they were aware of the problem and exceptionally rude - sticking to the line about the US being different (different part number?). I was not allowed to speak to the manager and was told to contact the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Does anyone else have any experience with this body?

Really appreciate any help with this.

Will

[volvo2]

I have a 2002 V70 with the faulty ETM, which was only supposed to affect up to 2001.

Can I suggest that you report your experience to Watchdog

Melvyn

[GrahamB]

Does anyone know whether Volvo keep a central record of such things as ETM changes? At 115k on my 2000 V70 Classic 170 (purchased at 100k) I would like to know whether it was changed earlier? No problems with mine so far. (Perhaps we need a mole in Volvo?) Trying to look on the bright side, can anyone quote really high mileage without failure?

[oilburner]

Any work done at a Volvo dealer will be recorded on their central computer, accessible from any dealer.

You can also do a visual check of your ETM, a white sticker indicates an original, a yellow one shows a replacement. At least, that's how it works in theory....

[sierraman]

Hi
I had a phone call from someone at watchdog concerning the ETM problems. It was mentioned that it may be included in Next Monday's Program which is good news. I guess everyone else has probably had phonecalls as well. But if anyone else has a volvo suffering with this problem...please can you contact watchdog asap.
Thanks

[sierraman]

Me Again
Having re-read my previous message i have noticed i have made a mistake about the day Watchdog is on BBC1. It is of course Tuesday at 7pm (had a busy day) Anyway as i said before. Please anyone who has views or technical knowledge about this fault.
Please can you contact Watchdog & help with this report. Also if you are aware that this fault is also on other volvo models ......2002 v70? etc etc ...please can you contribute as well.
Cheers

[the_boy]

My car is a December 1998 C70 T5 and also has the ETM fault although I have yet to have it replaced as I can't afford it at the moment to be honest..the car has done 99, 000 miles so is due to fail.

As far as I know late 98 also had the ME7 unit fitted.

When I last had the car serviced there were 2 ETM faults in the ECU. The problem was they couldn't fix it at the time as the only people who could were Volvo which mean't going back and being without the car for a few days etc etc. So the codes were cleared.

Since then the car surges and stalls intermittently. The ETS light has flashed up at least twice since then. Fingers crossed it hasn't stuck when I've had the throttle open but I know it's got to be done sooner rather than later.

I did get a call from Watchdog who asked if I could drive down this Thursday but because I live in Tyneside it was too late in the day to sort something out. In addition the thing is very eratic, I couldn't promise that when I went down the thing would play up on queue.

Fingers crossed though watchdog do get something sorted for this. This is a bill I could well do without

[scoffbelly]

The BBC have confirmed the ETM issue is being covered on this episode bar any last minute legal hitches.

Thanks to all the UK "Vexed Warriors" who have helped bring this matter to Watchdog's attention and to Don Willson http://home.comcast.net/~donwillson/Who_is_Don.html, creator of the www.vexedvolvo.org site.