98 C70 ETS light.

SeeSeventy · Jul 21st, 2012, 13:05

Hey guys,

I haven't driven my car for a while, so jumped in it today, had to bump start it down the drive. ETS light comes on... Lack of power etc... The usual.

No fault codes showing on OBD reader?

I had this looked at by Volvo and an independent a 2 years ago with my MAF problems and they said the ETM may be an issue and could clean it out, but do the MAF first. They didn't state whether it had ever been replaced. Anyway, after the MAF and extra work/service done it's showed no codes and run superb. Until today. But it's not showing a fault code. Systems normal apparently.......... Confuuuused?

It's like driving a Ford Anglia on acceleration. Bite the bullet and just change it, or go through the likelihood it could just need a clean from lack of use?

Luxobarge · Jul 21st, 2012, 14:57

First thing you should do is sort out the flat battery. A lot of ECUs don't like being started up on low voltage, so charge or replace the battery, then disconnect it for a few minutes, re-connect the battery, start the car and see what's what. Chances are your ETM problem will have disappeared, but if it hasn't at least you know it's not just some random spike causing a problem due to low battery voltage.

Cheers

SeeSeventy · Jul 24th, 2012, 09:39

Battery charged... Car for a run. Full tank of fuel gone. Light is still between on and off and has random surging and semi rough idle.

The ETM has been replaced by Volvo under warranty, but the codes still aren't showing up. The whole car is code free. I've removed the EM bulb as that always came on and the coolant bulb as that always came on for no reason.

Perhaps change the main ECU? I've always had electrical issues on this car, yet nothing to find to correct it. I still have problems with the sound system that not one person can help me with.

It's a real head scratcher this car... Not even auto electricians can find anything wrong with it. All earrthing points are secure and in tact, not breaks in wiring.

If I change the ECU, does it have to be programmed to the car?

mikealder · Jul 24th, 2012, 18:09

The behaviour of the engine does indeed sound like early phases of ETM failure, limp mode = slugish acceleration, random/ erratic idle also points at the ETM.
It might be due to carbon build up in the ETM inlet tract but I doubt it, you could remove it to clean it but this wont get to the root cause of the issue, worn potentiameter tracks within the body of the ETM. Even yellow label ETM's (the replacement items) fail in the same way as the origals due to crap design.
When the ETM fitted to my car started to fail there wasn't always a code stored so you can't rely upon that for 100% diagnosis.

If I were you I would refit the missing bulbs, if the check engine light is illuminated there should (will) be a code stored to be read, the light can self extinguish after a number of trips without the same fault re-occuring but the associated code will remain stored within the ECU.

As for low coolant light, again replace it as it might save a knackered engine if you get a leak as it's the first indication of fluid loss to appear on the dash, it could be as simple as the fluid level sensor has got stuck, try the following. Remove the expansion bottle but don't disconnect it, it simply slides off it's bracket, invert it and give it a damn good shake. If this fails drop a sterident tablet in the coolant expansion bottle and leave it for a while, invert shake and try it again - If neither of the above turn the light off fit a new level sensor - Mike

SeeSeventy · Jul 30th, 2012, 09:38

Hi Mike,

I should have mentioned the following. Just had a complete 112,000 mile service belts and all. Had a new header tank and level sensor installed with new pipes and new MAF... By a Volvo specialist so you can imagine the cost of all that - More than the car is worth. I now check my levels of oil and coolant everyday as a result of no bulbs, they just annoy me too much, call it OCD or what ever it's simply something I can do without on a car

Having said that, I did replace and did a few test drives and more code reading. I just had an electronics/OBD reader specialist test the car out at £60 and hour (he's good, real good) and again return no fault codes, but lights remain on, the ETM now intermittent.

I'm going to clean the ETM out and see if it provides extra help. Thanks for the responses so far. Hoping this isn't another expensive trip for a replacement.

deathrider311271 · Jul 31st, 2012, 18:29

is Volvo software being used for the codes???? or are these people using a different system??

Jul 21st, 2012, 13:05	#1
SeeSeventy Member Last Online: Jun 1st, 2023 22:54 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South	98 C70 ETS light. Hey guys, I haven't driven my car for a while, so jumped in it today, had to bump start it down the drive. ETS light comes on... Lack of power etc... The usual. No fault codes showing on OBD reader? I had this looked at by Volvo and an independent a 2 years ago with my MAF problems and they said the ETM may be an issue and could clean it out, but do the MAF first. They didn't state whether it had ever been replaced. Anyway, after the MAF and extra work/service done it's showed no codes and run superb. Until today. But it's not showing a fault code. Systems normal apparently.......... Confuuuused? It's like driving a Ford Anglia on acceleration. Bite the bullet and just change it, or go through the likelihood it could just need a clean from lack of use? __________________ 1998 Volvo C70 Coupe 2.5 LPT

Jul 21st, 2012, 14:57	#2
Luxobarge Premier Member Last Online: Today 21:13 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Horne (Nr. Horley)	First thing you should do is sort out the flat battery. A lot of ECUs don't like being started up on low voltage, so charge or replace the battery, then disconnect it for a few minutes, re-connect the battery, start the car and see what's what. Chances are your ETM problem will have disappeared, but if it hasn't at least you know it's not just some random spike causing a problem due to low battery voltage. Cheers __________________ Some people are like Slinkies, they serve no useful purpose but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.

Jul 24th, 2012, 09:39	#3
SeeSeventy Member Last Online: Jun 1st, 2023 22:54 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South	Battery charged... Car for a run. Full tank of fuel gone. Light is still between on and off and has random surging and semi rough idle. The ETM has been replaced by Volvo under warranty, but the codes still aren't showing up. The whole car is code free. I've removed the EM bulb as that always came on and the coolant bulb as that always came on for no reason. Perhaps change the main ECU? I've always had electrical issues on this car, yet nothing to find to correct it. I still have problems with the sound system that not one person can help me with. It's a real head scratcher this car... Not even auto electricians can find anything wrong with it. All earrthing points are secure and in tact, not breaks in wiring. If I change the ECU, does it have to be programmed to the car? __________________ 1998 Volvo C70 Coupe 2.5 LPT

Jul 30th, 2012, 09:38	#5
SeeSeventy Member Last Online: Jun 1st, 2023 22:54 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South	Hi Mike, I should have mentioned the following. Just had a complete 112,000 mile service belts and all. Had a new header tank and level sensor installed with new pipes and new MAF... By a Volvo specialist so you can imagine the cost of all that - More than the car is worth. I now check my levels of oil and coolant everyday as a result of no bulbs, they just annoy me too much, call it OCD or what ever it's simply something I can do without on a car Having said that, I did replace and did a few test drives and more code reading. I just had an electronics/OBD reader specialist test the car out at £60 and hour (he's good, real good) and again return no fault codes, but lights remain on, the ETM now intermittent. I'm going to clean the ETM out and see if it provides extra help. Thanks for the responses so far. Hoping this isn't another expensive trip for a replacement. __________________ 1998 Volvo C70 Coupe 2.5 LPT

Jul 24th, 2012, 18:09	#4
mikealder VOC Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2016 10:18 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Blackpool UK	The behaviour of the engine does indeed sound like early phases of ETM failure, limp mode = slugish acceleration, random/ erratic idle also points at the ETM. It might be due to carbon build up in the ETM inlet tract but I doubt it, you could remove it to clean it but this wont get to the root cause of the issue, worn potentiameter tracks within the body of the ETM. Even yellow label ETM's (the replacement items) fail in the same way as the origals due to crap design. When the ETM fitted to my car started to fail there wasn't always a code stored so you can't rely upon that for 100% diagnosis. If I were you I would refit the missing bulbs, if the check engine light is illuminated there should (will) be a code stored to be read, the light can self extinguish after a number of trips without the same fault re-occuring but the associated code will remain stored within the ECU. As for low coolant light, again replace it as it might save a knackered engine if you get a leak as it's the first indication of fluid loss to appear on the dash, it could be as simple as the fluid level sensor has got stuck, try the following. Remove the expansion bottle but don't disconnect it, it simply slides off it's bracket, invert it and give it a damn good shake. If this fails drop a sterident tablet in the coolant expansion bottle and leave it for a while, invert shake and try it again - If neither of the above turn the light off fit a new level sensor - Mike

Jul 31st, 2012, 18:29	#6
deathrider311271 I've Been Banned Last Online: Jun 21st, 2022 19:26 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Grimsby	is Volvo software being used for the codes???? or are these people using a different system??

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